Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to recognize five young students who were taken too soon from the city of Santa Ana. Recently, five students from Santa Ana Unified School District were victims of a brutal car cash: Aurelia Robles, Cynthia Torres Zarate, Natalia Vidal Zarate, Jaqueline Torres Zarate, and Emanuel

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life and legacy of my very good friend, Ed Arnold. He was born in Texarkana, Arkansas, in 1939. He was a homeless teenager. He joined the Marines. As a marine, he was stationed in California where he got a taste of sunshine and decided to stay in the Golden State.

He played football for Santa Ana College. He played for the Dons' 1961 Eastern Conference championship team.

At Santa Ana College is where he met the love of his life, Dixie. Dixie and Ed Arnold were voted Santa Ana College prom king and queen. Ed never forgot where he got his start, Santa Ana College.

Santa Ana College gave him his education. Santa Ana College introduced him to the love of his life, Dixie.

Ed Arnold today is and was Santa Ana College.

My very good friend Ed Arnold, we will miss him, we love him, and we will never forget him and his contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Black April, a day to lament and reflect on the fall of Saigon.

It has been over 49 years since we fought shoulder to shoulder with our Vietnamese allies. After the fall, refugees were forced to flee their homes with whatever they could carry.

It is important to recognize the resiliency of the Vietnamese people. I grew up with Vietnamese Americans who came to this country for a better life.

Today, my home, Orange County, is home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam.

I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the sacrifice of those who fought for freedom, democracy, and opportunity.

Mr. Speaker, this past week, I had the honor to visit a number of senior centers in my district. I saw seniors having a meal at lunchtime paid for by SNAP, seniors that have relied on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP, seniors that have worked all their lives to build America, and all they want to do is have a peaceful retirement.

I rise today because my colleagues across the aisle are looking to cut Medicaid and SNAP, programs that hundreds of millions of Americans rely on to keep food on their table and their families healthy.

My colleagues are targeting almost $900 billion in cuts to Medicaid, threatening to take away healthcare for some 80 million Americans who rely on this program. That would strip away healthcare from millions, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and veterans.

They are targeting SNAP, a vital food assistance program that provides food to 40 million people: seniors, children, and veterans.

I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so that we can bring up H.R. 2753, the Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act, to stop our colleagues from taking away healthcare from Americans and making a big mistake.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jessie Echaury for his military service and contributions to our community.

In 2016, Jessie served our Nation as a U.S. Army soldier in Afghanistan. A decade later, he now serves other veterans as president of Cal State Fullerton's Student Veterans of America chapter.

In this role, he advocates for veteran students struggling with invisible wounds like PTSD.

I thank Jessie for his service to our Nation and for his commitment to fellow students who are veterans.

Recognizing Charlie Zhang

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charlie Zhang for his philanthropy and his induction into the Orange County Hall of Fame.

Charlie comes from humble beginnings. He came to this country penniless and unable to speak English but with a dream. With hard work, he started a number of businesses, and he achieved the American Dream.

Now, Charlie is known throughout Orange County for supporting education and the arts. Some of his most important contributions have helped business and economics students at my own alma mater, Cal State Fullerton.

I thank Charlie for being a role model and helping to uplift Orange County's next generation. I congratulate him on a well-deserved induction into Orange County's Hall of Fame.

Honoring Serrato Sisters

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate sisters Alicia, Anabelle, and Angelica Serratos for their accomplishments as part of the Santa Ana High School girls' wrestling team.

Alicia, Anabelle, and Angelica took home an impressive combined record of 104 wins and 12 losses into their recent CIF Southern Section girls' championship meets.

Their parents, Fernando and Monica, are both former wrestlers and currently coach at Santa Ana High School. Their guidance has helped their daughters, the sisters, and many other champs at Santa Ana High School.

I wish Alicia, Anabelle, and Angelica success in their wrestling careers, and I thank the Serratos family for showing Orange County how it is done.

Go Saints.

Recognizing Senior Santa & Friends

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Senior Santa & Friends program that supports many seniors across Orange County.

Each year, this program brings joy to seniors and adults with severe disabilities, bringing them gifts and special requests, gifts that make changes in their lives like household appliances, medical equipment, clothing, and nutritional supplements.

Senior Santa & Friends has been able to deliver 2,100 gifts annually to seniors in need in our community.

Please join me in thanking Senior Santa & Friends for their dedication to helping our community make life much better during the holidays for our seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the story of Victoria Rosas, a DACA recipient in my home county, Orange County. Victoria was raised in Fullerton, California, and thanks to her DACA status, she was able to pursue her passion for healthcare and helping others.

Today, Victoria is a nurse, and in her spare time, she has written a book and founded a non-profit group called Empower Moms California.

Victoria's journey is an example of the important contributions DACA recipients make to this great country and why we need to protect them from deportation.

Recognizing Carlo Garcia

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Carlo Garcia, a DACA recipient in our community and to tell you little bit of his great story.

Carlo was brought to the United States as a child. In his early life, even then he knew he would have to fight and work hard to achieve the American Dream. He worked as a janitor to help to support his mother and his young siblings while he continued to work to make sure he pursued the American Dream.

Carlo is a first-generation college graduate and has begun his career as a financial auditor, and recently he earned his CPA license just this past November. Now he is even closer than ever to achieving the American Dream.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Carlo.

Recognizing Dr. Gloria Itzel Montiel

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Gloria Itzel Montiel, a DACA recipient, for her achievements and contributions to our great country.

Dr. Montiel received her DACA status after arriving in the United States at the age of 8 years old. She excelled academically. She then studied at Harvard University and then earned her Ph.D. from the Claremont Graduate University.

Dr. Montiel has dedicated her professional career to public health and education programming. Today, Dr. Montiel is a faculty fellow at Claremont Graduate University.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Dr. Montiel for her dedication to our community.

Celebrating Cristina Prada

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Orange County's grandmother, Cristina Prada, who is 94 years old.

Cristina's story is a very familiar story to us in Orange County. She came from Colombia in 1973 and worked at two or three jobs at the same time to make ends meet. She worked as a housekeeper at a nearby resort and cleaned houses for wealthy movie stars.

Cristina began to build her American Dream and watched her family grow even as she battled cancer numerous times in her life. At 94 years old, she has beaten the odds and has proven the doctors wrong. She continues to lead.

Cristina just celebrated her 94th birthday in the United States, and her story is a story of the American Dream. We are blessed to have her as part of our community.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Cristina for the way in which she inspires us.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the Anaheim High School girls' water polo team that just won the CIF Division 6 championship.

This victory represents hard work, determination, and perseverance on behalf of the players and their coaches, and they did that the whole season.

As an Anaheim High School alumnus myself, I congratulate our student athletes, parents, coaches, and teachers. Again, they have made us proud.

I ask my colleagues today to join me in celebrating this great victory for the Anaheim High School girls' water polo team.

Remember, once a Colonist, always a Colonist.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my Resolution to recognize the month of March as ``Zoroastrian Legacy and Heritage Month.''

Originating in ancient Persia, Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions. Its legacy includes significant contributions to history and civilization, including influencing democracy, universal human rights, and international trade and commerce.

In fact, Cyrus the Great, a follower of Zoroastrianism, recorded the first declaration of human rights, emphasizing freedom of religion, equality, cultural and civil rights, and the abolishment of slavery. These values were recorded on the famous Cyrus Cylinder in 539 B.C.E, and remain an essential part of our values today--including being enshrined in our own Constitution.

Zoroastrianism celebrates the spring festival of Nowruz during the Spring Equinox in March, signifying the triumph of light, warmth, and life over darkness. March is devoted to Mother Earth, symbolizing peace, love, and harmony.

Today, Zoroastrians continue to contribute to our world and to the United States. The Zoroastrian Association of California has made Orange County it's home and serves as a house of worship and a place for social gatherings.

I call on my colleagues to support my Resolution to recognize the month of March as ``Zoroastrian Legacy and Heritage Month.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Staff Sergeant Omar Alonzo Ramiro and recognize his service to our Nation.

Staff Sergeant Ramiro demonstrated a deep sense of dedication to his community from an early age. Before enlisting, he graduated from Servite High School and worked at St. Catherine's Academy in Anaheim, an institution with a proud history of shaping young leaders. In 2009, he answered the call to serve our country and enlisted in the United States Army, embarking on a military career that would take him across the world in defense of our values.

Throughout his enlistment, Staff Sergeant Ramiro demonstrated exceptional courage and resilience. As a Motor Transport Operator, an Airborne soldier, and a Psychological Operations specialist, he played a vital role in military and diplomatic operations while deployed to Afghanistan and serving across Europe and Africa. Even after sustaining a serious injury in

2019, he persevered through multiple surgeries and rigorous rehabilitation to support our armed forces and allies overseas. His unwavering dedication reflects the resilient spirit of our servicemembers.

As he transitions into civilian life, Staff Sergeant Ramiro leaves behind a legacy of commitment and sacrifice. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from American Military University, he plans to start the next chapter of his life in Williamsville, Illinois, alongside his wife Rachel, and their two sons, Mason and Nolan. Though his time in uniform may be ending, I have no doubt his passion for giving back to his community will continue.

For his outstanding service, Staff Sergeant Ramiro has been awarded numerous commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, five Army Commendation Medals, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, and the Parachutist Badge. These honors are a testament to his dedication, bravery, and contributions to our country.

Our Nation is stronger because of the service and sacrifices of men and women like Staff Sergeant Ramiro. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring his service, bravery, and enduring commitment to our country.

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

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in strong support of H.R. 495 because we need more oversight and information on the threat of tunnels going under our border.

It is a fact that tunnels, clandestine tunnels, under our borders have been an issue for not years but decades, and it is time we take action. It is time that Congress be informed of our progress to prevent such tunnels from happening. That is why I support H.R. 495.

Tunnels are used by transnational criminal organizations looking to make a profit at the expense of our taxpayers. Over the last 30 years, cartels have created illegal and sophisticated tunnels under our border walls to smuggle drugs into our country, as well as money and weapons out of our country.

This bill creates an annual reporting requirement to keep Congress informed on the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to counter illicit cross-border tunnels and hold the bad actors accountable.

This information will help us, Congress, address the issue at the border and let us, as Members of Congress, better respond to the challenges.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I believe this bill is an important step in the right direction. Receiving information from the Department of Homeland Security on an annual basis will improve Congress' efforts to counter illicit cross-border tunnels and hold bad actors accountable. I support this bipartisan piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise today in support of Representative Strong's bill, H.R. 706, the DHS Biodetection Improvement Act.

This legislation is essential in advancing the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to protect Americans from emerging biological threats. Specifically, it seeks to enhance biodetection capabilities within DHS by requiring the Secretary to assess how the Department can leverage the research and development of the Department of Energy's national laboratories.

Biological threats, including deadly pathogens and bioterrorism agents, represent a constant and emerging danger to the public health and security of our Nation. However, the BioWatch program, which has been the cornerstone of our biodetection efforts, is now outdated.

H.R. 706 takes a crucial step forward by requiring DHS to assess how the Department of Energy's national laboratories can play an even greater role in improving our biodetection capabilities.

These labs are equipped with cutting-edge research and development capabilities that can help modernize our detection system. The national labs have the expertise and technologies necessary to enhance DHS' ability to detect, identify, and respond to biological threats much more effectively. Accessing this valuable research will enable DHS to modernize its biodetection tools and systems.

The bill also directs DHS to establish specific programs and technical requirements essential for advancing biodetection efforts, including vital research and development.

Furthermore, the bill requires the Homeland Security Secretary to submit to Congress a strategy for regular external evaluations to identify capability gaps and propose contingency plans if biodetection technologies fall short.

As security threats continue to evolve, it is important that Congress support improvements in biodetection capabilities.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, while DHS has made tremendous efforts to enhance its biodetection capabilities, we still have a long way to go. That is why it is important to pass this legislation, H.R. 706, which will foster innovation in biodetection and ultimately strengthen our ability to protect our communities from biological threats

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

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

Mr. Speaker, the ability of the TSA, or Transportation Security Administration, to recruit and retain a highly skilled, well-trained workforce is critical to our national security.

Since the agency was created in the aftermath of 9/11, TSA has helped prevent terrorist attacks against U.S. aircraft from happening.

The jobs of TSA employees are difficult, from the Transportation Security officers' perspective who screen millions of passengers a day, to Federal air marshals providing in-flight security, to canine handlers, inspectors, and cybersecurity experts, all helping to secure our air transportation system.

In recent weeks, life has only become harder for this workforce, as probationary employees have been fired and TSOs' collective bargaining rights have also come under attack.

Thankfully, we have the opportunity today, Mr. Speaker, to make life a bit easier for the hardworking civil servants of TSA.

The TSA Commuting Fairness Act, offered by my colleagues from New York, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Garbarino, would require TSA to study the possibility of allowing employees' shifts to start upon arrival at the airport's parking lot and bus and transit stops.

These employees often face long commutes to get to the airport from the parking lot and then must travel long distances from the airport parking lots and transit stops to get to the TSA checkpoints.

Letting employees clock in using cell phones and location data would help alleviate the stress caused by irregular shuttles and the traffic that is very unpredictable around the airport.

This is a sensible bill, Mr. Speaker, that would address important quality-of-life concerns for a very critical workforce and, ultimately, our national security when it comes to commercial airline security.

I thank my colleagues for working in a bipartisan fashion to advance this measure, and I am glad to support it.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kennedy), the author of this measure.

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

Mr. Speaker, given the recent attacks against our Federal workers, we must seek innovative ways to compete for the top talent. This bill would require a feasibility study to improve the quality of life for the TSA workforce, while ensuring that TSA leadership retains the ability to manage the workforce appropriately and maintain security standards.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members of Congress to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I think we all agree that the United States' main competitor is China and the Chinese Communist Party who are intent on tilting the global playing field to their benefit, undermining our national standing.

To do this, China is expanding its covert influence, seeking to turn public opinion and effect policies that are more favorable to China and against the United States. Additionally, the CCP seeks to exploit American openness to steal economic secrets and undermine our national security.

This bill would require the Department of Homeland Security to establish a working group to coordinate its efforts to address the threats posed to the homeland by the Chinese Communist Party.

The working group will examine the threats posed by the CCP, identify ongoing Departmental efforts to address those threats, identify any gaps in such efforts, and then facilitate coordination across DHS to holistically address the threats from the CCP.

Mr. Speaker, this bill helps ensure that DHS implements a coordinated and effective response to the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to undermine the United States.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Strong for sponsoring this legislation,

but I must acknowledge that over the past few weeks, the Trump administration has taken several alarming actions that work to counter the work we are trying to do today with this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the Trump administration to work with Congress and not against Congress' efforts to strengthen America's ability to compete with China like this bill that aims to do exactly that.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 901, the Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act. This bill seeks to enhance security measures by directing the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate to establish a comprehensive policy and process to protect research and development activities from unauthorized access or disclosure of sensitive information.

Additionally, this bill would task the Government Accountability Office to assess DHS' adherence to the National Science and Technology Council's 2022 implementation guidance and a 2021 National Security Presidential Memorandum focused on safeguarding U.S. research from foreign interference.

This bill also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide Congress with a briefing on its implementation.

Time and time again, we have seen bad actors attempt to exploit our sensitive information. This measure strengthens DHS' ability to prevent such threats and protects our national security.

This bill is a critical step in ensuring DHS upholds strong policies and procedures to secure research and development efforts.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 901, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, the passage of this legislation is a key step in protecting DHS' research and development capabilities from bad actors.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 901, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are here today to consider my legislation, H.R. 993, the Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act.

With this piece of legislation, the House has the opportunity to improve the Department of Homeland Security's ability to quickly acquire and deploy new and innovative technologies, like artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enhance our border security.

With more innovative technology, we can improve CBP's targeting and our detection capabilities, which would help officers find and stop more illegal drugs like fentanyl before they reach our communities and harm our communities and children.

My bill requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to create a plan to address capability gaps and integrating innovative technologies into our border security operations.

This bill requires DHS to think strategically about opportunities to work with the private sector and others developing and implementing our latest technologies.

This bill also authorizes CBP's Innovation Team to work with frontline agents and officers to develop pilot programs that help them do their job in keeping America safe.

Their work is another great example of why Federal workers are so important to making our country safe and prosperous.

The innovation team finds and tests new commercial technologies and collaborates with companies to adapt them for use along our border.

These Federal employees also help companies and CBP navigate procurement and other processes that we need to move these technologies as quickly as possible to the front lines.

New technologies don't just help with catching drugs. These technologies also help detect victims of human trafficking or immigrants in need of a rescue. These technologies can also help Border Patrol agents communicate reliably in remote areas. When an agent gets ill or injured or runs across an injured individual, the ability to communicate quickly and effectively can mean the difference between life and death.

Advanced technologies will also help prevent long lines and delays at our ports of entry, and, of course, strengthening our supply chains and reducing travel delays will also be helped.

I am a longtime resident of southern California, Mr. Speaker. I have been at the border many times. I know what long waits are all about. These long lines, these waits, hurt our businesses.

For example, produce will spoil in trucks, rather than reaching our grocery stores. In fact, delays at our ports of entry between California and Mexico costs our economy an estimated $3.4 billion in economic output and an estimated 88,000 jobs.

Besides this tremendous cost, no one likes to wait in line at airports. I represent Disneyland, and I know many tourists from across the world want to come and hang out with Mickey and Minnie, and they don't want to wait to spend those tourist dollars in my district.

While we need more manpower at our ports of entry, technologies will help get people and goods across our borders quickly and safely.

This bill is just one of many solutions we need to fix the border.

I thank Congressman Luttrell and his team for working with us on this legislation.

I look forward to working together on a variety of bills that this Congress has to offer to show the American people that we can work across the aisle to keep them safe and our economy moving forward.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.