Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to speak out of order for 5 minutes.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in strong opposition to the Republican plan to cut billions of dollars to critically needed Federal programs like the Medicaid program.

In proposing offsets for the $70 billion cost of hurricane relief, Republicans claim that they are increasing spending cuts from $35 billion to $50 billion in order to pay for the expenses recently incurred by the devastation of recent hurricanes in the gulf coast.

However, Republicans have targeted Medicaid and other important programs that serve our Nation's most vulnerable populations like women and children. The reckless Republican budget imposes painful sacrifices on low and moderate income women and their families in the name of deficit reduction.

Republicans claim that offsetting the cost of hurricane relief is fiscally responsible. However, in my opinion it is inconsistent with the decision in recent years not to offset tax cuts that cost $106 billion or supplemental funding for Iraq that has cost the U.S. nearly $251 billion, four times the cost of Hurricane Katrina.

These cuts will not go to offset the cost of the hurricane. These cuts will only be used to facilitate additional tax cuts to our Nation's wealthiest Americans, those who make well over $200,000 a year and up.

Republicans are cutting services for hard working families in my district and, instead, giving away $70 billion in new tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. These cuts are reckless, in my opinion, and unfair to the middle and lower income families and reflect the Republican-led Congress' double standards.

Cuts to Medicaid, an already underfunded program, would have a devastating impact on women and their families by cutting vital services especially important to them. Medicaid is an important health insurance program for millions of low income elderly and disabled Americans.

State and Federal Governments have ensured that more than 53 million people, including 14 percent of low income Americans, have access to health care services through the Medicaid program. This includes 25 million children. More than 1 in every 4 children in the U.S. is covered by this program.

This also includes more than 30 percent of children with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for health coverage and services. Medicaid, as you know, provides essential care, such as family planning, breast and cervical cancer treatment, care for disabled women, to more than 16 million women, including approximately 10 million women of child- bearing age.

Nearly 1 in 10 women in the U.S. receives health care coverage through Medicaid. One-third of all poor women are covered by Medicaid, including 40 percent of single women. Mothers are twice as likely as men to qualify for Medicaid, because they are poor and in lower paying jobs that are less likely to have employer-sponsored insurance.

Health insurance, as you know, is critical to women, because mothers with health insurance are more likely to stay employed and get health care for their children than those lacking insurance. And women, as you know, of reproductive age are in a vulnerable position, because they are more likely to lack health insurance.

Medicaid accounts, as you know, for two-thirds of all of the Federal and State family planning funding nationwide. And, by the way, low income pregnant women can receive critical prenatal care when they need it without being turned away from the program.

Medicaid ensures that women receive a full spectrum of maternity coverage, including prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum care. Medicaid, as you know, is important to the health of women of all ages, and Medicaid is the largest source of funding for women over the age of 80 living in nursing homes.

This program covers high-cost nursing homes and long-term care services.

In my State of California, the Medicaid program is run jointly by the Federal, State and local county governments. The Federal share cost in California is about 50 percent.

Medicaid in California provides vital health services to low income women who comprise right now 74 percent of the beneficiaries ages 19 and older. And in my State of California, 42 percent of all births in the State are paid for by Medicaid.

These facts demonstrate, in my opinion, that Medicaid is a significant health safety net for women and their children. The cuts in Medicaid would shut the neediest individuals out of the public health system and put the health of millions of women and children at risk. Proposing reductions without ensuring the preservation of coverage for those in need simply transfers the burden to the States that are already overstretched.

Medicaid cuts will shift costs to the States, impose higher costs to beneficiaries, and health care providers. States would be forced to reduce coverage and benefits. Despite the national tragedy, the proposed Republican budget would cut billions of dollars from Medicaid while doing nothing to make sure that we have affordable health care for Americans.

Democrats believe in strengthening and not undermining Medicaid. The Federal Government should fulfill its promise of being a reliable partner. We must protect Medicaid and maintain the current Federal commitment to this fundamental public health insurance system.

I am in strong opposition to the Republican budget, because it does not keep the best interests of women and their children in mind. I urge my colleagues to provide full funding for Medicaid, and preserve the health care safety net program that many women and children rely on currently.

Mr. Speaker, this morning I note that Republicans in Congress have created a culture of corruption and cronyism at the expense of the American public. Instead of helping our senior citizens, students, veterans, and working families that are struggling every single day and see high prices at the gas station and high home heating costs, Republicans are demanding an additional $15 billion in cuts for a budget reconciliation plan. Republicans I understand want to cut the Federal low income heating program known as LIHEAP at a time when families are expected to pay double and triple compared to last year's heating home costs.

Republicans also plan to cut Medicaid and Medicare at a time when the number of people without health insurance has grown to 5 million people in 4 years. Republicans plan to cut higher education when we know that the cost of education and to send our kids to college is more than 20 percent higher than it was a few years ago. Republicans are demanding all these drastic cuts to help pay for the reconstruction of Katrina.

Why aren't we asking the wealthiest people in the country who have been given tax credits and giveaways and somehow make them accountable to help with this?

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill designating a post office after Lillian Kinkella Keil, the most decorated female veteran in U.S. military history. Lillian Keil was a long time resident of Covina, California, in my Congressional District.

Lillian Keil was born in 1917 in Arcata, California, and raised in a convent. As she watched the nuns take care of the sick, she was drawn to nursing. She became one of the first generation of stewardesses for United Airlines when many early flight attendants were nurses. In 1943, she joined the Army Air Corps (which later became the U.S. Air Force) as a flight nurse to serve in World War II. She rose to rank of Captain.

Captain Lillian Keil has been called an ``Airborne Florence Nightingale.'' As a flight nurse, she helped to evacuate thousands of wounded U.S. troops from the battlefields during World War II and the Korean War. She flew more than 425 combat evacuation missions, rescuing men who fought in the Battle of Bulge and in Normandy during the D-Day invasion. She also was part of a team that followed General Patton's army across France with cargos of crucial supplies.

Captain Lillian Keil died of cancer at the age of 88 earlier this year. Her life and decorated service to our country serve as an inspiration to current and future generations of Americans, particularly women serving in the U.S. military. Through it all, Captain Lillian Keil won the hearts and touched the lives of countless service members and their families. She never questioned what she needed to do and she was proud of her service.

After serving her country, Captain Lillian Keil became an active member of various veterans' organizations. She was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War 8620 in West Covina, California, and the American Legion Post 790 in West Covina. She also belonged to the Chosin Few Veterans Military Organization.

I am pleased that my colleagues from the California delegation have joined me in support of this bill. This legislation also enjoys support at the local level. Both the City of Covina and West Covina have expressed their support for naming the post office located at 545 North Rimsdale in Covina, California, after Lillian Kinkella Keil.

My heart and my prayers go out to the family and friends of Captain Lillian Keil, as well as to those who have lost their loved ones during these turbulent times. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Captain Lillian Keil. This bill symbolizes the gratitude and

admiration we have for our nation's soldiers who risk their life to defend our country.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to the anti-public health, anti-consumer ``GAS Act.'' The legislation is an insult to the American public which needs real relief, but this is an attack on our public health; and it is a giveaway to corporate America.

Their interests will harm, in my opinion, 5.5 million Latinos that live within 10 miles of coal-powered plants and the 68 percent of all African Americans that live within 30 miles of a coal-powered plant.

These changes will increase the risk of disease to schoolchildren in Texas who are exposed right now to 43.4 million tons of toxic pollutants in just 1 year because of almost 140 nearby industrial facilities. These changes will increase the risk of disease to over 207,000 children who go to schools within a 2-mile radius of a chemical plant or refinery in Texas. These changes will not help construct new refineries or guarantee an increase in refinery capacity and will do nothing to lower the cost of gasoline.

This is a Washington bill drafted on K Street by those lobbyists and is an attack on our public health. No State air boards were consulted, no mayors, no city managers, no land use planners, no attorneys general, not even mine from California.

There is a reason why the bill is opposed by the National Association of Counties, the National League of Cities, and nine attorneys general. The local air pollution program and control officers, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the American Lung Association, and many others are in opposition to this bill.

It is time that the administration and the Republican leadership learn that public health and the environment and the voices of our communities are not exploitable commodities.

I will support the Democratic alternative which protects public health, protects consumers, and secures our refineries in times of emergency. I will not support the underlying legislation which gives Americans a false sense of hope and security. I urge my colleagues to join me in opposition. America deserves better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of the 3rd National Latino Aids Awareness Day on October 15, 2005. This is a national day of awareness and prevention against HIV/AIDS in the Latino community.

The epidemic of HIV/AIDS continues to have a deleterious effect on minority communities nationwide. The Latino community has been disproportionately affected by AIDS. According to the latest data and statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latinos represent 14 percent of the population of the United States but account for 20 percent (over 164,000) of AIDS cases nationally. AIDS-related illnesses represent the fourth leading cause of death among Latinos ages 25 to 44. By the end of 2002, nearly 88,000 Latinos had died with

Madam Speaker, today I rise to bring attention to the devastating impact the epidemic of HIV/AIDS continues to have on the Latino community nationwide. According to the latest data and statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although Latinos make up

only 14 percent of the population of the U.S. and Puerto Rico, they account for 20 percent; that is about 164,000 of the more than 930,000 AIDS cases diagnosed since the beginning of the epidemic.

This epidemic has also affected women and young people in the Latino community. Latinas, unfortunately, represent a high 18 percent of new AIDS cases among women. Our teenagers accounted for 20 percent of the new AIDS cases among teens in the year 2002. In my own home State of California, an estimated 15,387 Latinos are living with AIDS, representing the second highest State in terms of the number of Latinos infected with AIDS nationwide.

Unfortunately, while Latinos suffer disproportionately from HIV and AIDS, many are uninsured and are unable to gain access to adequate care services due to language and cultural barriers, lack of transportation, and fear of stigmatization. I want to highlight these concerns and also bring together our Nation and community towards the commitment of creating new alliances, adopting culturally specific and appropriate interventions, and advocating for new funding and resources targeted to those communities most adversely affected by this horrible epidemic.

I have also introduced legislation supporting the third annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, which takes place on Saturday, October 15, 2005. This is a national day of awareness and prevention against HIV and AIDS in the Latino community.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day salutes the more than 76,000 Latino AIDS survivors in the U.S. and the efforts of people living with HIV and AIDS, their volunteers, professionals, and their family members. It also recognizes and applauds the national and community organizations for their work in promoting awareness about AIDS, providing information and offering treatment to those who suffer from this deadly disease.

The purpose of the resolution is straightforward and simple: the Nation can no longer afford to close its eyes and avoid the impact of this devastating disease. In fact, the theme of the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is ``abre los ojos,'' or ``open your eyes.''

While 40,000 new cases of HIV are reported each year, Congress has slashed funding for essential programs critical to providing comprehensive response to stopping the spread of this disease. Our communities have been asked for years to do more and more with less and less, and this Nation must open its eyes to work towards preventing the spread of the disease.

I ask my colleagues to support this important resolution, and I look forward to the day when the House of Representatives adopts this approach and brings about an opportunity for more awareness and prevention of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Latino community.

I also want to speak towards the importance of additional funding, supportive services, and capacity-building initiatives for those infected with the disease. A core component of the Nation's response to HIV and AIDS is the Ryan White Comprehensive Aids Resource Emergency Act, known as the CARE Act. I ask that Congress immediately reauthorize this important piece of legislation.

Signed into law back in 1990 and reauthorized twice since then, the CARE Act is named after a young man, Ryan White, who was infected by HIV through treatment for his hemophilia, who taught the Nation strength in a time when no one knew much about this disease. Authorization for the CARE Act expired last week on September 30, 2005.

It is important that Congress pass a new stronger and fully funded Ryan White CARE Act as soon as possible. After Medicaid, the Ryan White CARE Act is the largest payer of care and treatment services for AIDS patients in the U.S. Commonly referred to as ``the payer of last resort,'' the CARE Act serves those who fall through the cracks of traditional government-sponsored health care networks.

At least one in every two individuals assisted through the CARE Act lives below the Federal poverty level, and about 25 percent are uninsured, and less than 10 percent have any private health insurance, and about 28 percent were enrolled in Medicaid.

The CARE Act is organized into four titles and is essential to providing services to individuals with HIV and AIDS. Title I provides funds to 51 eligible metropolitan areas most heavily impacted by the epidemic; title II money goes to States and aids drugs assistance programs; and titles III and IV to community-based providers. Eighty- five percent of all Ryan White CARE Act dollars are distributed through titles I and II of the act.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, Latinos represent about 20 percent of all the CARE Act clients in 2002.

In addition to the four structured titles of the CARE Act, the Minority AIDS Initiative, MAI, and the Special Projects of National Significance, SPNS, span all of these titles.

Through the Minority AIDS Initiative, each CARE Act title has a mandate to provide a minimum amount of funding to address the needs of minorities. However, due to the disproportionate amount of racial and ethnic minorities that continue to be infected with HIV/AIDS and the inequities that still exist, this funding is still not sufficient to meet the needs of communities of color.

The epidemic of HIV/AIDS has had a deleterious effect on all communities of color.

As the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Health Taskforce, I am committed to working on securing services for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Madam Speaker, I ask for full funding of the Ryan White CARE Act-- $3.1 billion dollars--to address these concerns outlined today.

It is important to address the critical issue of combating the spread of HIV and AIDS in communities of color through the thoughtful and targeted reauthorization of the CARE Act.

Despite flat funding over the past few years, the CARE Act in its current form is still the best tool that has proven successful in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The CARE Act works--and given a renewed commitment in giving those on the front lines of the battle, whether they be private partnerships, government initiatives or local organizations specializing in outreach, prevention, testing and care, the CARE Act can work even better, as long as we ``abremos los ojos.''

Also, I request unanimous consent to submit this statement for my colleague of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Rep. Luis Gutierrez.

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

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, I rise today to highlight the issue as it affects minority communities.

Although domestic violence is blind to race and ethnicity, racial and ethnic minority women, immigrant women, face unique challenges to reporting and getting help for domestic violence.

Just this morning, I learned that the manager's amendment to today's VAWA reauthorization bill strikes the language ``racial and ethnic minorities'' from the definition of underserved communities.

After all the bipartisan work that we have been conducting for the past year on this particular reauthorization, I am outraged that at the last minute, Republican leadership is shortchanging women of color who are victims of domestic violence.

We must acknowledge the devastating effect that domestic violence has on all communities, community of colors. That means African Americans, Latinos and Asians and all other ethnic groups.

Our efforts to educate the public about domestic violence must directly address factors like cultural differences, linguistic differences and immigration status. By removing this language, we are exacerbating the problem of domestic violence in communities of color.

My hope is that the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act is comprehensive and meets all the needs of all women in our country.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to address the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

While I am supportive of the underlying bill, the manager's amendment that we will soon consider creates a serious problem for women of color who are victims of domestic violence. The manager's amendment will weaken the definition of ``underserved communities,'' so that groups that work specifically to help women of color who

are victims of domestic violence would continue to be ignored by the grants process through the Department of Justice.

After all the bipartisan work that we have done throughout the years to work on this to reach a balanced approach, just this morning we heard that the Republican leadership was shortchanging the women of color and were taking out this very key language.

When considering VAWA, we must recognize the conflicts and problems facing women of color, particularly immigrant women, who are victims of domestic violence. Women of color are less likely to report incidents of domestic violence, which means that studies of domestic violence among communities of color do not reflect the reality of these women's lives. Women of color who are victims of violence are at even greater risk when their spouses control their immigration status.

Women of color also face institutional barriers to reporting abuse and seeking help, partly because they do not have access to individuals who understand their language. It is important to have translators available. It is important to have outreach literature available to them in their native language.

By addressing domestic violence in these communities in a way that understands their culture and honors their values, we greatly increase the chances of making a difference for women of color who are being abused. It is my hope that the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act is comprehensive and meets the needs of all women.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose the manager's amendment and to join those national domestic violence groups in opposing the manager's amendment: the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Family Violence Prevention Fund, National Coalition to End Domestic Violence, Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault, Legal Momentum, and lastly, the NAACP.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today to address the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

While I am supportive of the underlying bill, the manager's amendment that we will soon consider creates serious problems for women of color who are victims of domestic violence.

This manager's amendment weakens the definition of underserved communities so that groups that work specifically to help women of color who are victims of domestic violence would continue to be ignored by the grants process of the Department of Justice.

After all of the bipartisan work that has been done to produce a balanced VAWA reauthorization, it is an outrage that at the last minute, Republican Leadership is shortchanging women of color who are victims of domestic violence.

When considering VAWA, we must recognize the complex problems facing women of color, particularly immigrant women, who are victims of domestic violence.

Women of color are less likely to report incidents of domestic violence, which means that studies of domestic violence among communities of color do not reflect the reality of these women's lives.

Women of color who are victims of domestic violence are at an even greater risk when their spouses control the immigration status of their family members.

Women of color also face institutional barriers to reporting abuse or seeking help for domestic violence, because of restrictions on public assistance, limited access to immigration relief, lack of translators, scarce educational materials in the woman's native language, and other factors.

By addressing domestic violence in these communities in a way that understands their culture and values, we greatly increase the chance of making a difference for women of color who are being abused.

It is my hope that the reauthorization for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is comprehensive and meets the needs of all women.

I urge my colleagues to oppose the Manager's Amendment.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Jenny Blau, a dedicated, intelligent and compassionate woman whom I have been fortunate to have as part of my staff for the past two and a half years.

Since Jenny's first day in the office, she has approached each and every task I have given her with dedication. Jenny joined my office in February 2003 as an unpaid fellow and quickly assumed a role as a Legislative Assistant. As a Legislative Assistant, Jenny has been the point person for the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues and has overseen legislation dealing with domestic violence, senior issues, and the murders of women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Her extensive knowledge of women's issues and health care has proved invaluable. Jenny has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about women in the military, violence against women, and other issues that affect women.

Jenny's understanding of the challenges facing the Latino community has been particularly important to me. Jenny has organized numerous briefings and events to heighten awareness about the murder of women in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and domestic violence. She has also overseen successful events sponsored by Lifetime Television, the Oxygen Network and the Democratic Women's Working Group. These projects have left a lasting impact on the lives of women in the 32nd Congressional District of California and nationwide.

Jenny's kindness, work ethic, and professionalism have earned her the trust and respect of her colleagues and women's groups. I am very proud that she will follow her passion of medicine at the Georgetown University Medical School. I wish Jenny the best of luck in life and in all of her endeavors. Le deseo la mejor de las suertes a Jenny. Un dicho popular dice: ``EI que persevera, alcanza.'' Estoy segura que Jenny lograra todas sus metas.

Madam Speaker, I am discouraged to learn that FEMA's approach towards Latinos seeking hurricane relief assistance is woefully inadequate.

Yesterday the Los Angeles Times highlighted the neighborhood in Kenner, Louisiana, that has failed to receive emergency shelter assistance from FEMA. The article quoted a FEMA spokesperson who stated, ``Part of the problem for the Hispanic community is that if you are illegal, you cannot apply for housing.''

It is unfortunate, however, that FEMA made such an ignorant and false assumption. About 1,500 to 1,800 people living in the HUD subsidized apartments are legal residents. Legal. And they qualify for assistance according to city officials.

Latinos contribute significantly to the social and economic fabric of the gulf coast, working in casinos, in the poultry industry, in hotels, and on construction sites. These communities should also be eligible for emergency aid and ensure that their families are safe and healthy. They should not be made victims because of someone's ignorance.

Just as Hurricane Katrina did not discriminate when it swooped along the gulf coast, neither should FEMA make such a gross, negligent, and ignorant assumption about a person's immigration status.

Mr. Speaker, over the weekend I visited the Dream Center in Los Angeles, California, which is currently housing over 250 evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. The Dream Center has committed to feeding, housing and clothing these evacuees. The stories that I heard from them are gut wrenching. I met a woman who escaped with her two nephews and her 80-year-old mother, Sheila Bell.

I also visited with a father who was caring for his youngster who is 1 year old. But Mrs. Bell, unfortunately, was separated from her daughters. Her daughters are somewhere in Texas. She cannot find them. She wants to hear from them. And I want to also applaud the firemen and the first responders who risked their own lives to help those in need to leave the center.

Mrs. Bell recounted that the water level in her house came up to her neck. But there are many stories like hers. And one of the things that I have to bring forward is the fact that FEMA made a promise to give these evacuees assistance.

Now, it is 2 weeks, the assistance is not there. Political hacks have pushed aside the professionals out of FEMA. Since this President took office, 4.1 million people have slipped into poverty. The poor and underserved of the Gulf are the hardest hit. They are the ones that need our help.

Let us move forward and help those that need our assistance now.

Mr. Speaker, last week the world witnessed the devastating impact of one of the greatest calamities the United States has ever faced. Hurricane Katrina left hundreds of thousands of people without their livelihood and homes and many more without a sense of hope and esperanza.

As shelters across the United States open their arms to evacuees, we must remember all the vulnerable communities which are suffering tremendously in the wake of this natural disaster, including the immigrant population that resides in the embattled areas of the Nation.

More than 150,000 Hondurans, 100,000 Mexicans, and a host of other individuals who live in that particular area, these are immigrants and their families who have contributed significantly to the social and economic fabric of the gulf coast, working in casinos, on farms, in hotels, construction sites, and also in janitorial services. I feel strongly that these immigrants and their families cannot be forgotten in this crisis.

Just as we embrace all the victims of disaster, I hope and I know that the Federal Government will do the same without regard to race, ethnicity, and country of origin. Let us not forget that these individuals contribute every single day to our Nation.