Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I wish to correct the Record as it relates to my recorded vote on S. 1071. On December 10, 2025, my vote was incorrectly cast as ``YEA'' on Roll Call vote No. 320.

It was my clear intention to vote ``NAY'' on Roll Call vote No. 320.

I opposed this bill, especially as amended, because it expands the Department of Defense's authority into areas traditionally handled by civilian agencies. The measure extends for five years the DoD's authority to support civilian law enforcement and authorizes contracting arrangements that enable DoD support for U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the southern border; prohibits transgender athletes enrolled at military service academies from competing in women's sports; and repeals several diversity, equity, and inclusion provisions. In my view, these provisions accelerate the militarization of domestic policy and increase reliance on defense infrastructure for missions that should remain civilian-led. Additionally, I have broader concerns about the spending in this bill at a time when significant cuts are being directed at Medicare, Medicaid, and other essential programs.

Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call No. 320 on the House Amendment to S. 1071, I mistakenly recorded my vote as yea when I should have voted nay.

Mr. Speaker, Trump's unhinged immigration raids started in downtown Los Angeles, in my congressional district, not targeting the ``criminal'' immigrants that he promised he would go after, but targeting anybody that looked like me, looked like my colleagues, looked like my family members, looked like the people who live in Los Angeles.

I don't know any MS-13 members, gang members, who work at a car wash or as day laborers. That is where he was targeting, not focused on people he said he was going to go after.

We warned everybody in this country that this would continue, that they would go on to other cities, using immigration as a pretext to try to intimidate blue cities in blue States and blue cities in red States, and that a violation of the rights of immigrants and the rights of people across the country is not going to be contained in L.A. It is going to spread. They went on to D.C., Chicago, Portland, Charlotte, and New Orleans, just as of today. That is what they are going after.

They want to intimidate people. They want to intimidate people who don't agree with them, and that was before Donald Trump and the Republicans passed the one big, beautiful bill. That included a $175 billion slush fund that would turn ICE and CBP into its own personal national police force, where he could send it wherever he wants, whenever he wants, without any accountability.

That is dangerous. That is a threat to our Republic. That is a threat to our States. That is a threat to our communities.

We need to stand up and put an end to it. The way we do that is by taking that money away and reinvesting it into something that the American people need.

I introduced a bill called the Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act. It takes that $175 billion to tackle the housing affordability crisis in our country by investing that money to help start a 21st century housing boom that will build 1 million units of housing per year for the next 6 years, help renters with assistance to get by, and, at the same time, give first-time home buyers money for a downpayment.

If we want to tackle the affordability crisis that is at the top of the agenda for the American people that is not a con job, then we need to pass the Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act. It is about affordability, not authoritarianism. It is about American values, not Donald Trump's wins.

Mr. Speaker, today I was not recorded on Roll Call No. 305. Had I been present, I would have voted ``NAY'' on Roll Call No. 305.

Mr. Speaker, today, I was not recorded on Roll Call Nos. 303 and 304. Had I been present, I would have voted ``NAY'' on Roll Call No. 303 and ``NAY'' on Roll Call No. 304.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask a point of parliamentary inquiry.

Is this an appropriate time to point out that the Republicans named children's savings accounts in their so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act after Donald Trump, someone connected to--

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 50th Anniversary of Alma Family Services located in the Boyle Heights community of East Los Angeles.

Since 1975, Alma Family Services has been a steadfast advocate for families and individuals with special needs. Founded by parents in East Los Angeles with the mission of providing multilingual and culturally competent services to their communities, Alma Family Services has become a trusted service provider with 18 locations across Los Angeles County. Every year, the organization serves over 15,000 individuals with mental health services, substance abuse support, youth development, and many more resources.

Over the last 50 years, Alma Family Services has expanded their services to provide multigenerational support for our neighbors of all ages. Through an extensive network of connections spanning across various levels of government, businesses, and fellow organizations, Alma Family Services strives to address the unique needs of seniors, parents, and students across LA County. The impact of their efforts can be felt in every corner of California's 34th Congressional District, where our neighborhoods are revitalized and uplifted through the organization's crucial resources.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Alma Family Services on their 50th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor non-profit leader and lifetime activist, Sandra Figueroa-Villa. Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Ms. Figueroa-Villa has devoted over four decades to the non- profit sector, most notably serving as the Executive Director of El Centro del Pueblo since 1980.

At El Centro del Pueblo, Ms. Figueroa-Villa has worked to address and mitigate the impacts of gang violence in Los Angeles. Thanks to her leadership, El Centro was transformed from an organization with a budget deficit and two part-time employees to a nationally recognized social services provider with 80 employees and an annual budget of $10 million.

Ms. Figueroa-Villa has expanded El Centro's services to include family preservation, employment services, and youth delinquency prevention programs, which helps reduce youth violence and strengthen local families. In addition, El Centro is home to the Echo Park Family Source Center, providing financial counseling, tax preparation, tutoring and college prep classes and other critical services to Angelenos.

Ms. Figueroa-Villa has also been active in public service, serving on the Board of Police Commissioners. In this role, she improved policies for the Police Department's interactions with homeless individuals, and the Department's de-escalation and use of force protocols. Ms. Figueroa-Villa continues to serve on numerous executive boards and commissions, notably including the City's Children, Youth, and Family Commission and the Los Angeles Unified School District's Redistricting Commission.

In recognition of Ms. Figueroa-Villa's decades of leadership in advancing social justice and community empowerment, the city has named the intersection of W. Sunset Boulevard and Lemoyne Street, adjacent to El Centro del Pueblo's main office, as ``Sandra Figueroa-Villa Square.'' This historic renaming will ensure Ms. Figueroa-Villa's legacy is remembered by all Angelenos in the years ahead.

On behalf of my colleagues in Congress, I sincerely thank Ms. Figueroa-Villa for her continued dedication to Los Angeles and lifelong career in public service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a visionary leader whose life's work has left an indelible mark on the United States, Latin America, and the world, Mr. Ernesto Nieto, founder and president of the National Hispanic Institute (NHI). On the occasion of his 85th birthday, we commemorate not only the years of his extraordinary life, but also the enduring legacy he has forged for generations to come.

Son of civic activists and Methodist church leaders, Santos and Esther Nieto, Ernesto was born on October 6, 1940, in Houston, Texas. He and his brothers, Albert and Roy, grew up confronting racial discrimination firsthand, experiences that fueled his determination to join the civil rights movement and to create new pathways of opportunity for the Latino community. A proud graduate of Southwestern University, a talented basketball player ranking 23rd leading scorer in the nation, along with further graduate studies at the University of Houston, Mr. Nieto combined academic rigor with an unwavering commitment to being a cultivator of human potential, a steward of possibility, and a teacher of hope. His life reminds us that the truest measure of leadership is not in what we accumulate for ourselves, but in what we awaken in others.

In 1979, guided by that bold vision, Mr. Nieto founded the National Hispanic Institute to cultivate young Latino leaders. At a time when too many narratives focused only on deficits, Mr. Nieto charted a different course--one of possibility, strength, and aspiration. Under his leadership, NHI has engaged over 100,000 high-achieving students from across the United States and Latin America, partnering with more than 120 institutions of higher education.

Through NHI, he gave students the stage to discover their gifts, the structure to practice leadership, and the conviction to see themselves as architects of their communities' future. While NHI's roots are proudly grounded in the Latino community, its reach has expanded to a hemispheric scope. Today, NHI engages youth of every cultural background--from Nigerian American and Indian American families to young leaders across the Americas--all united by the common purpose of civic engagement, community life, and the pursuit of a stronger future.

For Mr. Nieto, leadership is not an abstract concept but a lived experience of community, family, and heritage. His philosophy is rooted in respect for the long history and traditions of Latino leadership and in building systems that identify, nurture, and amplify the talents of young people. His groundbreaking book Third Reality: Crafting a 21st Century Latino Agenda captured this vision, underscoring the vital importance of cultivating leaders who embrace their cultural identity as an asset to American society and to the world.

Over the decades, Mr. Nieto's leadership has been recognized through countless honors. He has received the Distinguished Alumnus Award of Southwestern University, the Human Relations Award from the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, and the Splete Award for Civil Rights from the National Association of Independent Colleges & Universities. He has been named a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Scholar, honored with the First Tee Award, and awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from both Texas Wesleyan University and Austin College. Yet the deepest proof of his legacy lies not in titles or accolades, but in the thousands of NHI alumni now serving as public servants, educators, business leaders, and advocates across the globe.

Together with his co-founder and wife, Gloria De Leon, the lessons from his parents and supported by his children, Nicole, Roy, Marc and Chris, his extended De Leon family, and his beloved NHI familia, Ernesto Nieto has built an institution that does not merely train leaders but transforms futures. His impact resonates in classrooms and boardrooms, in communities from the Rio Grande Valley to Puerto Rico, from Chicago to Mexico City, and across continents--reminding us that the strength of a nation, and indeed the world, rests on the gifts of its people.

Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Ernesto Nieto's 85th birthday, we recognize a man whose vision and persistence created not just an organization, but a movement. His life affirms that when communities invest in their youth, they invest in their future. For generations to come, the National Hispanic Institute will stand as a living testament to his belief that Latino communities are assets to be celebrated and empowered.

On behalf of my colleagues in Congress, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Ernesto Nieto. May his example continue to inspire leaders for generations, and may his life's work remind us all of the enduring power of vision, faith, and relentless commitment to awakening the leaders already within us, and among us.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 25th Anniversary of CASA 0101, located in the community of Boyle Heights.

Since 2000, CASA 0101 has been committed to educating and uplifting the next generation of storytellers in Los Angeles. Under the innovative leadership of its founder Josefina Lopez. CASA 0101 has blossomed into one of the leading arts organizations serving the East side of Los Angeles, hosting theatrical productions, film festivals, and no-cost arts education classes for young Angelenos.

Guided by Lopez's vision to bring live theater programs and the arts to Boyle Heights, the organization has spent the last 25 years cultivating an inclusive space where aspiring artists and storytellers of all backgrounds feel empowered. The impact of CASA 0101's efforts can be seen in their successful track record, with 281 alumni working on a main stage production, 528 youth participating in free classes, and over 12,000 visitors attending a performance at their theater.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring CASA 0101 on their 25th Anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 10th Anniversary of The Broad in Downtown Los Angeles.

Since 2015, The Broad has expanded public access to a diverse collection of contemporary art for Angelenos and visitors from around the globe. Founded by philanthropists Edythe and Eli Broad, the museum offers free general admission to all visitors so they can explore their collection of more than 2,000 pieces of art and gain a newfound appreciation for modern artwork.

Through its permanent and special exhibitions, The Broad has remained committed to uplifting the voices of artists of unique and diverse backgrounds, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Takashi Murakami and Julie Mehretu. The museum's commitment extends to its Diversity Apprenticeship Program, where the museum prepares its participants with the knowledge and experience they need to pursue a profession in the arts.

As part of The Broad's mission to increase access to contemporary art, the museum also hosts The Broad Art Foundation, an innovative lending library which has loaned artwork to museums worldwide over 9,000 times. The library seeks to build strong relationships with fellow institutions built on a shared appreciation for the arts that allows them to share their resources and continue expanding access to meaningful artwork.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 10th Anniversary of The Broad.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Josefina Lopez, a playwright, artistic director, and community leader.

The daughter of a bracero, Josefina Lopez immigrated to the United States from Mexico at the age of 5. Her family settled in Boyle Heights, where Lopez grew up as an undocumented individual for 13 years until she was granted amnesty. Lopez's experience as a Mexican, undocumented woman is what inspired her to write her acclaimed play Real Women Have Curves.

The play, which was later adapted into a film, is based on Lopez's lived experience juggling her family's expectations to work at their sewing factory, her dream of pursuing an education in New York, and the ever-present fear of immigration authorities entering their communities. Along with her other works, Lopez has had over 100 productions of her plays performed in the United States.

At the start of her writing career, Lopez was often the sole woman of color in the room, inspiring her to create a path for Latinos like herself to achieve success in the arts. In 2000, Lopez founded CASA 0101 to, make this dream a reality by bringing theater and arts programs to the community she grew up in. For the last 25 years, the organization has produced hundreds of plays, provided free arts classes for young Angelenos, and supported the next generation of storytellers and artists. The impact of Lopez's work can be felt from Boyle Heights to Broadway.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Josefina Lopez.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the centennial anniversary of Garfield High School located in East Los Angeles.

Since 1925, Garfield has been a cornerstone of the community, providing education and opportunity for generations of students from all walks of life. Garfield's legacy is deeply intertwined with the cultural fabric of Los Angeles, and its tradition of academic, athletic, and artistic success continues to shape California's thriving economic and cultural landscape. I thank all the extraordinary educators and staff of Garfield whose hard work and dedication on behalf of their students reminds us of the impact that education can have not only for their students, but for their communities.

Let today be a time to reflect on the achievements of the past, but also a commitment to the future. Despite new technology and a changing world, I am confident that Garfield will remain committed to fostering public education and community for years to come.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Garfield High School on their 100th anniversary. Go Bulldogs.

Mr. Speaker, on July 14, 2025, I was not recorded on Roll Call Nos. 191 and 192. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call Nos. 191 and 192.

Madam Speaker, I was not recorded on Roll Call Nos. 152, 153, 154 and 155 today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 152, NAY on Roll Call No. 153, YEA on Roll Call No. 154, and NAY on Roll Call No. 155.

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