Janelle S. Bynum

Mr. Speaker, mail-in voting, a system that has allowed millions of Americans to make their voices heard, is under attack.

Over 99 percent of voting Oregonians cast their ballots by mail. These are deployed servicemembers, parents working to feed their families, and young Americans who are just trying to get by.

Our own President voted by mail just this month, yet he wants to take away that same right from millions of Americans.

President Trump isn't concerned about ensuring a fair and free election, in my opinion. He is scared that the American people will see right through him, scared that families and seniors and students are going to reject his foolishness at the ballot box.

Mr. Speaker, grocery prices are skyrocketing, and gas prices are out of control. Americans cannot afford to live under Trump's economy, and he knows it.

The simple truth is that Americans have a voice, and the President doesn't want them to use it. Mr. Speaker, we must wake up.

Shh. Mr. Speaker, it has been really quiet in this Chamber about who is profiting from the Presidency.

While Americans struggle to pay for gas and groceries, our President Trump is making billions. His media company wants Wall Street to pay $10,000 for early access to his Truth Social posts. Now, this says to me that the President is saying: Pay me, and I will help you trade on insider information.

Wall Street eats, and we get the bill.

Now we are seeing reports of a growing market where people like rapper Lil Boosie pay those claiming that they have access to Presidential pardons.

That is not how public service should work. We cannot stay quiet while power is being treated like a product for sale.

Shh. Congress has a responsibility to follow the money, demand transparency, and remind this administration that public service is about serving the people and not their pocketbooks.

Mr. Speaker, today I am here to talk about student loans. To be honest with you, I don't know why I am the only one. I can't remember the last time I heard this body talking about financing higher education. Instead, we have been voting on things like daylight saving time.

Americans are struggling, Mr. Speaker, and our kids' opportunities are being limited. This should be a top priority of every Member of Congress.

First, we need to fix the raggedy monthly payments calculator that prevents interest from spiraling out of control.

We need to make sure that borrowers have access to repayment plans that don't take over 30 years to complete.

Affordability shouldn't be a barrier, Mr. Speaker. We need to be building the workforce of the future. Americans need student loan plans that offer flexibility and real options. We should be making access to education easier, Mr. Speaker, not harder for Americans.