Floor Statements

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

Madam Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise today to open our first Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour of this year, during Black History Month, utilizing to the fullest extent possible: Our Power, Our Message.

I would like to thank the Congressional Black Caucus members for having the confidence to elect me to be chairwoman during the 117th Congress. I stand on the shoulders of greatness as I acknowledge the past members and chairs for their tremendous leadership.

For the next 60 minutes, we have an opportunity to speak directly to the American people about the issues of great importance to the Congressional Black Caucus and the millions of constituents we represent.

Tonight's Special Order hour topic will serve as part of a rollout of our policy agenda and celebrate our 50th anniversary in the context of the many critical issues facing the Black community.

The Congressional Black Caucus kicked off Black History Month, Madam Speaker, with the powerful Travon Free film ``Two Distant Strangers,'' a moving story about a young Black man caught in a George Floyd type of nightmare with his local police department.

During tomorrow's CBC meeting to be held at 12 p.m., the ``Living Black History'' vignette, featuring all 58 members of the CBC, will be unveiled to the public via Facebook, TheGrio, and my YouTube page.

We are also hosting a virtual film screening of director Lee Daniels' film, ``The United State vs. Billie Holiday,'' tomorrow evening.

In that spirit, later this week, I will be introducing the Black History is American History Act to close out our Black History Month.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the CBC with the largest CBC group ever, 58 members who represent the diversity, hope, and promise of this great Nation. It has been stated before, and it certainly bears repeating, the CBC is commonly referred to as the conscience of the Congress and over the decades has forcefully advocated on policies that our Nation cares about, ranging from economic justice and reparations, healthcare, voting rights, consumer protection, education, and fair policing to far beyond.

The killing of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd drew America closer to another watershed moment last year, amid a pandemic that has disrupted life as we knew it, triggering an intergenerational cross-class collective of people demanding change, which led to the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bill that is the first-ever bold, comprehensive approach to hold police accountable, change the culture of law enforcement, empower our communities, and build trust between law enforcement and our communities by addressing systemic racism and biases to help save lives.

I also wear another hat, and that is as chairwoman of the Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee of the House Financial Services Committee. Though it may speak for itself, I appreciate that kind of transformative change which we seek in the spirit of policy, legislation, and regulation that will, hopefully, result in building a record that we can use as we promote diversity and inclusion in our democracy. As CBC founder member Bill Clay noted, we have no permanent friends or enemies, just permanent interests.

The CBC's priorities will allow us, in many instances, to work with the Biden administration to deliver relief to our constituents who have been so devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and to work on long-term plans for recovery. To that end, we are so pleased that we will announce our domestic policy team tomorrow, as we have met with Ambassador Susan Rice, who is head of the Biden domestic policy team.

It is so important that I end by saying the Congressional Black Caucus is committed to dramatically reversing these alarming trends by working with our community leaders, allies, and colleagues in Congress to pass critical legislation and by working with the Biden-Harris administration to encourage responsible executive branch policies and actions using Our Power, Our Message.

Now, I am honored to announce our CBC anchors for tonight: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a scholar, a strategist, an orator, a woman who has sponsored legislation and helped craft much of the changes that we will be talking about through the 117th Congress; and I am equally as proud to say that the Special Order hour will be co- chaired by her coanchor, Congressman Ritchie Torres, a freshman, a member of the Financial Services Committee, a giant in public housing legislation. Tonight, you will hear from them.

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

Mr. Speaker, it is a shame that we must use precious time on the floor of the people's House to address the inflammatory remarks of Member Marjorie Taylor Greene. But just as we are in the midst of three crises of the coronavirus, the economic distress, and social injustice, we must also act against a crisis of extremism and unhinged conspiracy theories.

Disturbing and dangerous words and actions like those we have heard and seen from this individual in this House are below the dignity of a Member of Congress. And if they did not stop when we were all sworn in, then, if anything, these backward views gained a national platform.

Well, I stand here to tell you, Mr. Speaker, I will stand up to bullies who threaten students and threaten and celebrate violence towards our Speaker and our colleagues. Today, as the conscience of the Congress, it is important that we take this step to affirm that conspiracy theories and outrageous lies have no place in the Congress and no place in the people's House. No place. No place.

Mr. Speaker, what I am going to say is for the American people because, for the past year, American people's lives and livelihoods have been turned upside down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether contracting the virus, losing their jobs, working on the front lines, at the risk of eviction or struggling to keep their businesses open, many of my constituents--Republican constituents, Democrat constituents--have been forced to make unimaginable decisions and sacrifices.

In response, Congress passed the strong bipartisan CARES Act. However, 10 months later, the virus is still wreaking havoc on our way of life, in large part due to the failures of the prior administration.

So we are here to right the wrongs, and under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi and the Biden-Harris administration, we are doing just that. We must meet the moment and bookend this pandemic with a big, bold package to ensure workers, families, and small businesses have the support and resources to break through the dark winter and start the process to build back better.

Think about this, Mr. Speaker: The budget reconciliation will pave the way to doing just that.

Who is against extending emergency unemployment? Who is against providing another round of direct stimulus? Who is against offering rental assistance to ensure that no family is forced to live on the streets? Who is against instituting a quicker rollout and production of vaccines after the disastrous rollout, or lack thereof, by the previous administration? Who is against expanding funds for child care and increasing the child tax credit? Who is against giving aid to the very States that we represent and localities?

So I say to my colleagues: Think about what your constituents have called for. Think about what they are losing, and let's give our constituents hope. Let's join together to meet the moment; not for us, but for the American people, for the economy, and for the future.

Madam Speaker, domestic terrorists attacked our democracy, urged on by a sitting President. These insurrectionists believe Donald Trump's lies about the stolen election. They obeyed his call to attack. They literally carried his banner while storming the Capitol.

Last week's insurrection was shocking and tragic. It was the culmination of 4 years of assaults on our democracy.

We must impeach this President. And the Congressional Black Caucus stands ready to join in a bipartisan message to the likes of Donald Trump.

Madam Speaker, I was absent from the House Chamber on January 5, 2021, to attend a funeral in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on Roll Call number 9.

Madam Speaker, I was absent from the House Chamber on January 5, 2021, to attend a funeral in my district. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on Roll Call number 9.

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to thank Chairwoman Waters for all of her leadership and her support.

Mr. Speaker, for a majority of American families, buying a home will be the biggest financial purchase in their lifetime. That is why this bill we are considering today is so important.

My bill, the Housing Financial Literacy Act, H.R. 2162, would provide a 25-basis point discount on an FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium to first-time home buyers who complete a HUD-approved housing counseling program.

One of the main barriers to homeownership is saving up for the downpayment. This bill would reduce that barrier by roughly $500.

The FHA has been utilized by everyday American families to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. Eighty-two percent of all FHA- insured mortgages are used by first-time home buyers, likely since consumers only need to put down 3.5 percent as a downpayment. The downpayment is the number one barrier to homeownership for many first- time home buyers.

This bipartisan bill would incentivize those prospective first-time home buyers to take ahold of their financial futures by taking a financial literacy class, while making it easier and a little cheaper for them to purchase that first home.

These classes are already available across the country, from Homeport and Homes on the Hill in Columbus, Ohio, to Kentucky's Housing Corporation, to the Kenosha Housing Authority in Wisconsin, and the list goes on. These classes are available to first-time home buyers to purchase a home in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Not only is this bill a good deal for first-time home buyers, but it is also a good deal for the American taxpayer. There have been several studies over the past few years that prove not only does prepurchase housing counseling lead to improved mortgage literacy, greater appreciation for communications with lenders, and improved underwriting qualifications, such as higher credit scores, but there are also studies that show, as we have heard, that first-time home buyers who have received housing counseling are nearly one-third, Mr. Speaker, less likely to face delinquencies or foreclosures.

When you consider the average cost to the taxpayer for default within FHA's portfolio is greater than $65,000, this bill could actually save the taxpayers money. That is something that both my Republican and Democratic colleagues were interested in during the debate on this bill in committee, and both sides of the aisle will be happy to know that, according to the Congressional Budget Office's initial analysis, this bill would not have a cost to the U.S. taxpayer.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to close by thanking my colleague and friend from Ohio, Congressman Steve Stivers, for cosponsoring this important bill. Steve and I have served as the co-chairs of the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus for the past two Congresses. This is an issue that we care about deeply.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the organizations that came out in support of this bill. I think it is very important for people to know that the National Association of REALTORS, the National Housing Resource Center, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, the Leadership Conference for Civil and Human Rights, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Credit Unions National Association, National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions, Public Citizen, and National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals all support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I think you get my point. People want this bill. It is the right thing to do.

Mr. Speaker, I want to also thank Congressman Barr for his support.

I urge my colleagues to join us in support of this bill, H.R. 2162, to allow more Americans to reach for that dream of homeownership in a financially responsible way. Please support this bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of St. Stephen's Community House.

Located in the heart of my district, St. Stephen's Community House is a sanctuary of education, development, and faith serving the Linden Community for 100 years.

Today, under the leadership of CEO, Marilyn Mehaffie; LaTisha Addo, Director of Family Services; and Kristin Giger, Director of Youth Services, St. Stephen's provides services for residents of all ages, ranging from infant mortality initiatives and early childcare programs to vital family and senior services including sustainability efforts and eliminating food deserts.

Even after a century, St. Stephen's Community House's mission of dedicated service to the families of the Linden community continues to thrive, and for that the entire Third Congressional District of Ohio is forever grateful.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize June as Gun Violence Awareness Month.

So far this year, nearly seven thousand Americans have been killed and almost twice as many injured at the hands of gun violence.

Even more shocking, there have been 190 mass shootings across the country--in Shreveport, Philadelphia, Louisville, and Des Moines just within the last week.

Gun violence is a uniquely American epidemic, but unfortunately, failure to act has also been uniquely American.

Congress failed to act twenty years ago after Columbine, again twelve years ago after Virginia Tech, or after Sandy Hook, the Pulse Nightclub, Las Vegas, or Parkland.

Thankfully, the new Democratic majority has passed the first gun violence prevention bills in a generation.

Whether it's those bills or my SAFER Now Act (H.R. 282), Congress must continue our work ``For the People'' and act to prevent one more American from falling victim to gun violence.

Madam Speaker, I was unexpectedly delayed and absent from the House Chamber on June 3, 2019. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on Roll Call No. 232.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to voice my strong support for the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, H.R. 1994, otherwise known as the SECURE Act.

This bill will make it easier for all hardworking Americans to have access to retirement savings plans to create a brighter financial future for themselves and their families.

In today's economy, far too many Americans do not have adequate access to traditional retirement savings vehicles such as an employer- sponsored 401(k) plans and pensions.

In fact, as of 2016, only 30 percent of American households had access to a defined-benefit plan and only 52 percent participated in a defined-contribution plan.

These statistics are even starker for minority families.

According to recent studies, while African-Americans participating in employer-based retirement plans were on par with White families, participation rates have dropped to 41 percent in 2013, compared to 65 percent for White families.

This bill would expand access to employer-sponsored retirement savings plans for all Americans and incentivize increased contributions to employee retirement accounts by employers.

It would also provide a tax credit for small businesses to defray the costs of providing their employees certain 401(k) retirement options that include automatic enrollment, which has proven to increase employee participation and result in higher retirement savings.

I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Chairwoman Waters for her leadership and commitment to putting the consumer back in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau without regrets.

Mr. Chair, I am proud to be an original sponsor of this bill because it does exactly what the title of this bill says it does. It puts consumers first. One, by restoring supervisory and enforcement authority to the Office of Fair Lending. It also establishes the student loan office--continuing--and resumes military lending examinations, all without regret.

Mr. Chairman, I don't know what my colleagues are talking about. Those are things that we need, and maybe that is why some of the people did send them back home. I do agree with my colleague on that.

This bill ensures that no matter who is running the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, there are protections that guard against a rogue Director from dismantling it and halting its important work, as this administration has attempted to do time and time again.

Mr. Chairman, I support this because I support the workers. I support what they do for consumers. I support this legislation, and I will proudly debate anyone who thinks this chairwoman has not established legislation and policies that put consumers first.

I urge all of my colleagues, even those on the other side: Let's talk about bipartisanship. Let's get on board and vote ``yes'' for this.

Madam Chair, the inclusion of credit scores on the free annual credit report is an issue that my colleague from Tennessee and I have worked on for several Congresses. Under current law, all consumers are entitled to a free annual report from the three credit reporting agencies. However, despite providing consumers with all of the information that makes up their credit scores, the free annual report does not actually include a credit score. That needs to change. Adoption of this amendment would do just that.

I want to thank Chairwoman Waters for working with us.

I also want to share that financial literacy is a lifelong journey, and as co-chair of the Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus, I believe that knowledge of one's own credit score is essential. There are few three-digit numbers as important to consumers as their credit score. Despite the importance, nearly 60 percent of U.S. adults are unaware of what their score is.

Whether applying for a home or an auto loan, applying for a line of credit or a credit card, or even applying for a job, undoubtedly, a credit score plays an integral role in the everyday financial lives of all Americans. I am asking and urging my colleagues to support this important amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize May as Stroke Awareness Month.

Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death and affects someone every 40 seconds in the U.S.

As a stroke survivor, I know the difficult road to recovery.

That's why I've reintroduced the Return to Work Awareness Act to help survivors of stroke and other serious illnesses get back into the workforce.

I invite my colleagues to join in cosponsoring the Return to Work Awareness Act, as well as my resolution recognizing Stroke Awareness Month.

But, we can do a lot more than just raise awareness, and I'm proud to say that House Democrats are delivering ``For the People.''

In the past few weeks, we passed a bill protecting health coverage for the 130 million Americans living with pre-existing conditions, including 6.5 million stroke survivors, and today we will debate legislation to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and lower drug costs.

Madam Speaker, let's continue delivering ``For the People'' in May and every other month.

Reading from Volume II, page 8: ``Congress has authority to prohibit a President's corrupt use of his authority in order to protect the integrity of the administration of justice.''

``Article II of the Constitution does not categorically and permanently immunize the President from potential liability for the conduct that we investigated. Rather, our analysis led us to conclude that the obstruction-of-justice statutes can validly prohibit a President's corrupt efforts to use his official powers to curtail, end, or interfere with an investigation.''

``The conclusion that Congress may apply the obstruction laws to the President's corrupt exercise of the powers of office accords with our constitutional system of checks and balances and the principle that no person is above the law.''

``On October 7, 2016, the media released video of candidate Trump speaking in graphic terms about women years earlier, which was considered damaging to his candidacy. Less than an hour later, WikiLeaks made its second release: thousands of John Podesta's emails that had been stolen by the GRU in late March 2016. The FBI and other U.S. Government institutions were at the time continuing their investigation of suspected Russian Government efforts to interfere in the Presidential election.

``That same day, October 7, the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence issued a joint public statement `that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of emails from U.S. persons and institutions, including from U.S. political organizations.' Those `thefts' and the `disclosures' of the hacked materials through online platforms such as WikiLeaks, the statement continued, `are intended to interfere with the U.S. election process.' ''

Volume I, page 7.

``Immediately after the November 8 election, Russian Government officials and prominent Russian businessmen began trying to make inroads into the new administration. The most senior levels of Russian Government encouraged these efforts. The Russian Embassy made contact hours after the election to congratulate the President-elect and to arrange a call with President Putin. Several Russian businessmen picked up the effort from there.''

Volume I, page 7.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deepest gratitude and to recognize the career of David P. Blom, who is retiring as president and CEO of OhioHealth after 36 years. David became president of Grant Medical Center, located in downtown Columbus in my district.

Dave set out to make healthcare more accessible to underserved and diverse populations. Providing care to our most at-risk population was a focus of his for 30 years, and it is one that he has never lost. Mr. Speaker, I know that firsthand because I had the opportunity to witness his work.

I am so honored that David is with us today in the gallery.

As president of the entire OhioHealth system for the past 17 years, Dave has molded and elevated OhioHealth's commitment to all of the communities it serves as the largest hospital system in central Ohio.

Let me tell Members what I have witnessed.

When we talked about our babies and infant mortality, I remember it so well when Dave made that call and said we are going to keep our babies healthy. Thus, he spearheaded Wellness on Wheels' Women's Health, or as we like to call it in our home district, WOW, and what a wow it has been.

There is not enough time for me to highlight all the things that this incredible leader has done, but let me fast-forward to my time in Congress. I can remember how and when Congressman Steve Stivers and I talked about the great work, and there was an opportunity when then- Speaker Boehner wanted to revise the whole system for our veterans. Steve Stivers, a veteran, and Dave Blom, caring about our veterans, thus, he was appointed to the Federal commission to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

I can remember the exciting day when Dave Blom walked into my office, and it was the same day that we were having the House Chamber's joint session to hear the Japanese Prime Minister. I remember how excited he was to hear that we were going to host the Japanese Prime Minister, how great it was when he sat front and center in the gallery to hear that message.

The list goes on and on, but today is simply a day to say the two most powerful words that I can say about a great leader, about someone who has changed the healthcare system not just for my district or Columbus, but for the Nation, and those two words are ``thank you.''

Thank you for being a leader. Thank you for being a public servant. But most of all, Dave P. Blom, thank you, thank you for being my friend. I salute you.