Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I recognize the 40th anniversary of the Saka Nakodar massacre where four unarmed Sikh students, Ravinder Singh, Jhilman Singh, Harminder Singh, and Baldhir Singh Multani, were shot and killed while peacefully protesting the desecration of the sacred Scripture of Sikhs.

The killing, which took place in the Punjab region of India on February 4, 1986, was absolutely abhorrent, but the investigation was definitely deplorable.

The victims' bodies were disposed of in secret. No perpetrator was ever brought to justice, and reports, commissions, and other inquiries on the massacre received absolutely no action.

The Saka Nakodar massacre continues to be a dark day for Sikhs in Punjab but also for Sikhs right here in America.

That is why I recognize the Saka Nakodar massacre and the justice that awaits not just for the four students and their families but for the Sikh communities at home and abroad.

Mr. Speaker, the military intervention in Venezuela left us with uncertainty, instability, and insecurity. As a veteran, I commend the military operation to remove Maduro on January 3, but as an American, it left uncertainty for the day after. By replacing one despot with another, we are uncertain as to the government, to the oil, to the cartels, and to the future of democracy in Venezuela.

This type of military adventurism can also create instability not just in Venezuela, but in the region, and that creates insecurity for the United States.

As we saw this week about Greenland, the President wants spheres of influence rather than stability from a rules-based order. Instead of standing up to China and Russia, the President just wants to impress them by acting like them, rather than being better than them.

That is what happens when we have a President that doesn't just want his own sphere of influence, he wants his own sphere of governance, especially when it comes to putting boots on the ground.

This War Powers Resolution would not only prevent that in Venezuela without further congressional approval, it will also demonstrate that this Congress can actually act like a coequal branch of government and fulfill our responsibilities under the United States Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, for the past year we have been talking about the damage done by not extending tax credits for the Affordable Care Act. Now this year, no longer is it theory. It is fact. It is no longer talk. It is pain.

The fact is 20 million people are feeling the pain with their healthcare costs going up. Millions more are losing health insurance. In my district, tens of thousands are going to be paying more for healthcare.

Today, the fact is that we can do our jobs and, rather than take healthcare away, we can actually help fix it. I commend all of my Democratic colleagues and, yes, even a few on the Republican side that signed the discharge petition and will vote for this bill today, a day in a week that has been absolutely hectic.

Rather than constantly responding to the craziness from this administration, by voting ``yes,'' Congress can finally focus on the substance of fixing healthcare. The fact is this bill is a short-term fix for extending tax credits. It is also a vehicle for our Senate

colleagues to use so that we in Congress can provide a long-term fix to provide people with affordable and accessible healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Ms. Norma Moye who passed earlier this week at the young age of 92.

As a fourth-generation resident, Norma was Paso Robles, California, in the 19th Congressional District. She served her community in many ways: being on the boards for the Pioneer Day, the Historical Society, and, of course, as a leader in the Chamber of Commerce. However, where she was most impactful was due to her work as the founder and executive director of the Paso Robles Main Street Association.

Under her leadership, downtown Paso Robles transformed from vacant storefronts to a bustling hub of community. She was a champion for local businesses, supporting her neighbors, helping them thrive, and transforming the local economy.

Thanks to her commitment to service, she lives on in every person who visits downtown in the community and the energy that is Paso Robles.

As we mourn her loss, let us celebrate Norma Moye, her legacy of service, and let us do that by enjoying the town of Paso Robles.

Mr. Speaker, if we don't extend the tax credits for the Affordable Care Act, costs for healthcare will go up for 20 million people and millions more will lose their health insurance.

Three-quarters of those who rely on those tax credits live in Republican-won States. Yet Speaker Johnson and President Trump, who are in charge and had all year to do anything, to do something, on healthcare, did nothing.

Rather than fulfill the President's promise to reduce prices, they gave tax breaks to billionaires, they gutted Medicaid, and they added trillions to our debt.

I get that division and dysfunction define the Republican Party, but we can't keep letting it define Congress. Put the Democratic discharge petition on the floor, extend the tax credits, so that together we can actually do something to fix healthcare. By doing that, we do our job, not just in Congress but for all Americans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a co-lead of the Studying NEPA's Impact on Projects Act.

As we have heard, this is a bill that would require the Council on Environmental Quality to provide annual reports that evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal permitting process.

I thank Representative Yakym for his leadership on this issue and really appreciate his willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion to fix our government's permitting process. It is a process that, as we know, can be bogged down, burdensome, and brutally bureaucratic, leading to unnecessary delays that make it very difficult to increase affordable housing, improve our infrastructure, and advance important energy and transmission projects.

People in California's 19th Congressional District, as well as I am sure people in the Second District of Indiana and communities all across the country, have a great amount of concern and consternation as the permitting process is stunting their will and ability to reduce their carbon output, to solve the affordability crisis, and to decrease the damage from natural disasters.

Requiring an annual report is a commonsensical and practical way to use evidence to find the issue, fix the process, and affirm our energy and environmental values. It is a first step--we get that--but we know it is also a very big and impactful step so that, together, we can implement our efforts to protect our planet, increase clean energy options for our country, and reduce costs for communities.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``aye.''

Mr. Speaker, although my heart hangs low, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Ms. Helen Rucker. This week, she passed at the young age of 93.

Now, despite the challenges that Helen faced throughout her life, Helen Rucker worked very hard to become the somebody who was a sustainer of Seaside, California, the educator of our community, and the epitome of our democracy.

Helen faced blatant racial discrimination in her formative years. As a child in Louisiana, she was turned away from the local public library to being a college graduate and experiencing some of the same type of bigotry when she applied for her first job as a librarian.

Rather than being despondent, she was driven to make a difference with education not just in her life, but in our lives.

She worked for decades as a teacher and a librarian. She served as a Seaside city councilmember, a school board member, and a trustee with our local school district.

Outside of her job, she delved deeper into our community by volunteering on such important and challenging issues as civil rights, prison education, HIV prevention, police reform, affordable housing, and so much more.

Helen Rucker was an influencer well before the internet was around. She wasn't about clicks or likes. Instead, she was about organizing and galvanizing people. She wasn't about dividing people, but Helen Rucker was all about bridging our divides.

Even with all of that service and all of that activism, what she came to realize early on was that the key to change was our democratic process. She realized that it wasn't about yelling and screaming. She understood that it is all about working, sweating, and ensuring everybody has the opportunity to do what every American should do, and that is vote and get out the vote.

Rather than agonize, she organized--voting, voter education, voter registration--and she founded Seaside's Voter Education Center. Just like we saw in our recent elections, Helen understood that voting is how we make change. That is how we protect our community, and that is how we move our country forward.

No doubt that Helen Rucker faced so many challenges throughout her life, but rather than capitulate, she campaigned. Rather than demonize or disparage her opponents, she always chose civility and upheld the values of our democracy.

As we enter into this next election year, let us be reminded, let us reflect, and let us be reinvigorated by the impactful life of Helen Rucker. More importantly, though, let her rest peacefully as all of us strive to live up to her legacy by always voting in our democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome the positive outcomes of the C5+1 Summit, held in Washington, D.C., on November 6, 2025. This high-level meeting reaffirmed the United States' partnership with the nations of Central Asia--Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan--in promoting regional stability, economic growth, and sustainable development. It also led to valuable strides in our mutual partnership including the announcement of Kazakhstan's intent to join the Abraham accords and commitments to regional partners on critical mineral investment.

Over the years, the C5+1 format has evolved into an important platform for advancing dialogue, strengthening regional cooperation, and expanding opportunities for trade, investment, and connectivity. The recent summit in Washington underscored the mutual benefits of deeper cooperation between the United States and Central Asia from enhancing supply chain resilience and diversifying access to critical minerals, to fostering people-to-people exchanges and educational partnerships.

Looking ahead, we hope to build on this relationship by advancing our efforts to lift the outdated Jackson Vanik amendment, which has long been an irritant in the trade relationship between the United States and the Central Asian nations. Lifting this amendment would underscore the U.S. commitment to the region, and provide the stability needed to foster mutual investment and growth. We also hope to build on the momentum of the summit with continued high-level engagements and visits between the U.S. and Central Asia.

Mr. Speaker, the outcomes of the C5+1 Summit reaffirm our shared vision of a stable, prosperous, and interconnected Central Asia, one that contributes to global security and economic opportunity. The United States stands ready to continue working hand-in-hand with our partners across the region to turn this vision into lasting results.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to note the strong relationship between the United States and Kazakhstan and to recognize Kazakhstan's Republic Day.

Republic Day commemorates Kazakhstan's declaration of sovereignty on October 25, 1990. This pivotal moment, 25 years ago, paved the way for Kazakhstan's eventual independence from the Soviet Union and symbolizes the nation's enduring commitment to self-determination, prosperity, and peace.

Over the past three decades, Kazakhstan has transformed into a thriving nation with a strong economy, a growing international presence, and a robust partnership with the United States.

The relationship between Kazakhstan and the United States is rooted in shared values of democracy, economic growth, and mutual respect. As we celebrate Kazakhstan's achievements, we reaffirm our commitment to working together in addressing global challenges and promoting peace, security, and economic development.

Our nations also share a strong commitment to interfaith harmony and global dialogue. Kazakhstan, ethnically rich and religiously diverse, has long championed peace and tolerance. Earlier this year, Astana hosted the 8th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, welcoming over 100 delegations from 60 countries under the theme ``Dialogue of Religions: Synergy for the Future.''

Recently, Kazakhstan took a decisive step in its economic modernization. The national railway company, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy, signed a landmark $4.2 billion agreement with Wabtec Corporation, the largest locomotive order in recent history. This transformative deal will support thousands of good-paying U.S. jobs and strengthen America's manufacturing base, underscoring the mutual benefits of our growing economic partnership.

Another vital area of expanding cooperation is rare earth minerals. The United States and Kazakhstan are working together to build a reliable and diversified supply chain for rare earth elements and other critical materials essential to major U.S. industries, including aerospace, defense, clean energy, and semiconductors.

Kazakhstan remains one of the United States' most reliable and trusted partners, both regionally and globally, particularly as an active member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This long-standing partnership highlights the importance of advancing efforts to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR), ensuring that Kazakhstan's economic growth is fully acknowledged and supported within the global marketplace. Doing so would cost nothing, yet send a powerful signal of strategic seriousness, eliminate lingering legal ambiguity for U.S. investors, and unlock the full potential of our bilateral trade and industrial cooperation.

As we look ahead, the upcoming C5+1 Summit on November 6, 2025, represents a critical opportunity to reaffirm U.S. leadership and engagement in Central Asia. Marking the 10th anniversary of this important diplomatic forum, the summit should deliver tangible results, demonstrating that the United States values long-term partnership.

Together, the United States and Kazakhstan are committed to fostering peace, security, and prosperity, not only in Central Asia but globally.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member McGovern for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the previous question, which includes a detrimental and damaging provision that abdicates, that gives up, and that capitulates Congress' constitutional authority over this administration's disastrous tariff policy.

I think we all know Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of our Constitution clearly states that Congress has purview over foreign commerce. Now, more than ever, with the high prices that Americans are experiencing, our communities, our constituents, and this country, need us. They want us. They demand us to reclaim our constitutional powers over trade and fulfill our responsibilities as a check and as a balance over this executive branch.

This administration's incoherent, inconsistent, and incompetent tariff policy is causing Americans to get crushed by high prices. These are people and businesses who don't have the margins to survive these tariff policies and who don't have access to the Oval Office to cut a backroom deal for relief. These are people and producers who are having to personally pay the high prices that are directly being affected by the high costs.

The tariffs not only have caused high prices, they have caused uncertainty that has destroyed what was once a strong jobs market. When it comes to manufacturing, it is getting tanked as the costs of inputs are increasing and markets are becoming impossible to predict.

Diplomatically, the President's tariff policy is causing consternation amongst our biggest trading partners and our allies and contributing to diplomatic crises.

Legally, the President's tariffs are hanging by a thread after a Federal court found that their claims of emergency power is dubious at best.

The reality is the President's trade policies that are based on his 40-year fetish with tariffs is bad for Americans. It is bad for American foreign policy, and it is bad for our American Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, for what?

Details of any trade deals remain fuzzy and unenforceable, and there is an unstable dynamic that he is creating in which markets are either swinging wildly or fail to react, expecting the President to chicken out.

Yet, in the 119th Congress, this majority is allowing this President to not just bulldoze over not just the well-being of our constituents, Speaker Johnson is allowing the President to run roughshod over our constitutional authority.

Now, more than ever, with these high prices, our communities and our constituents need us to reclaim these constitutional powers over trade and, yes, live up to our responsibilities as an Article I branch of our government.

It is time to repeal these various tariff powers that Congress has granted the executive branch over the past few decades. I am not just talking about IEEPA, but also the many other sections that we have afforded the President. Mr. Speaker, because of those authorities that the President is using capriciously and whimsically to impose his tariffs, it is causing great damage to our economy, and they are creating a crisis with these high costs that all of us are facing.

That is exactly why Congress, that has purview over trade, should defend that jurisdiction, should defend our independence, and we should defend our duty to the American public. It is our job, and it is our responsibility.

Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, that is the least we can do for our country, for this Congress, and for our constituents.

Mr. Speaker, this partisan tax bill will be our Nation's single-largest self-inflicted wound to working families and our economy.

It is the largest unfunded tax break for the wealthiest families and will lead to the largest number of working families losing healthcare. What is worse is that you are fooling yourselves into believing it is paid for. Instead, it adds trillions to our debt that will drag down our economy and our credibility.

Rather than negotiating with Democrats, Republicans are just placating the President.

I am voting ``no,'' Mr. Speaker, on this partisan bill to stand up to the President, to stand with working families, and to stand for the financial stability of our country and the credibility of this institution.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor the life and the legacy of Mike Rotkin.

Mike was a tireless public servant, a principled activist, and a beloved educator in Santa Cruz.

As a professor at UCSC, he inspired generations of students to give back to their communities. As a leader, he served five terms as mayor and nearly 25 years on the city council, more than anyone in the history of Santa Cruz. Yet Mike's impact cannot be measured in titles nor terms.

He stood on picket lines, marched for civil rights, fought to save libraries, protected our coastline, and never stopped showing up for our neighbors. He did it all with civility and hard work. He was a competitor, but always compassionate and considerate. If you disagreed with him, he was never confrontational. Instead, he took the high road, worked hard, and always found common ground.

I was proud to have not just his political support, but I was also so pleased that I could call Mike a personal friend. Although we in the Santa Cruz community are moved by his loss, I stand here today, just as we stand together in Santa Cruz, inspired to serve by the legacy and the spirit of Mike Rotkin.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 50th anniversary of the Santa Cruz Pride Parade, one of the oldest Pride events in the Nation and the first of any small American city.

Since 1975, Santa Cruz Pride embodies the spirit of resistance and persistence. Even though it was California, back then, it was just a small gathering of a few brave and determined people standing in solidarity.

Today, as we saw this past weekend, Santa Cruz Pride is a multiday, community-wide event that brings together thousands for a celebration of Pride.

As we celebrate, we also appreciate and commemorate that we stand on the shoulders of those who got us here. It is with that realization that we are reinvigorated in our push for equal rights.

We in Santa Cruz and throughout the 19th Congressional District of California understand that Pride is more than just flags and parades. It is also about creating policies, putting in place protections, and the persistence of a community to achieve equality.

Yes, we are proud of the past 50 years of Santa Cruz Pride, but we are also determined now more than ever to continue our march forward.

Mr. Speaker, this Republican partisan tax bill will be the largest self-inflicted wound on America's working families in our Nation's history, with the largest cut in healthcare and food assistance to pay for the largest tax cuts for billionaires.

I get that this bill is about fulfilling the President's promises, but like the President, we can't rely on it for working families, as the bottom 10 percent would lose basic services so that the top 10 percent can increase their wealth.

What is worse is that, in order to pay for this bill, they are relying on not just the cuts but fabricated economic growth numbers, ignoring costs of the TCJA, and hoping that there are revenues from tariffs.

Yet, even with all of that, they stick it to our children by adding trillions to our Federal debt.

Look, not only are our creditors and allies losing faith in our Nation, but Americans watching this tonight are losing faith in Congress. If we work together, we could help working families, bring down prices, and bring down our national debt. Ultimately, we could have restored faith in this institution.

Instead, Mr. Speaker, I am voting ``no'' on this partisan bill because it gives in to the President's politics, breaks promises to working families, and gives up on our promise to the future of our children.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend students across California's 19th Congressional District who participate in the Day of Silence. This is a day in which we highlight discrimination and harassment of LGBTQ students in our schools all across the country.

This year, I will feature the leadership of Bryce Grossman, an eighth grader from Santa Cruz, who founded and is organizing the We Will Not Be Erased walk on May 13, a demonstration to defend and remind us about the rights of the LGBTQ community.

With encouragement from their parents, Amy and Kevin, Bryce is furthering our democracy by stepping up and speaking up. As Bryce said: ``We will be loud. We will be proud--for our rights, for our families, and for our LGBTQ community.''

Mr. Speaker, the actions of Bryce and all students and allies on the Day of Silence demonstrate that our youth understand that when we engage, that is how we endure as a community, as a country, and, most importantly, as a democracy based on liberty, justice, and equality for all.