Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, this bill is yet another excuse by Republicans to undermine the Inflation Reduction Act even as it delivers historic benefits to millions of Americans.

This landmark legislation extended and expanded the 30D tax credit to support the adoption of clean vehicles. These credits are not only supporting our transition to a clean economy, they are creating American jobs, bolstering American manufacturing, and strengthening American supply chains.

This bill would undercut the Biden-Harris administration's work to implement these credits under the guise of cracking down on foreign adversaries, and, yet again, this bill includes a harmful provision that would target immigrants who came to the United States from an adversary country but who themselves have nothing to do with their governments of origin.

This is the latest Republican bill this week that follows the shameful playbook of fear-mongering and discrimination that will harm Chinese and Asian-American immigrant communities without doing anything to improve national security or decrease our reliance on foreign energy.

Consider that there are countless immigrants who come from countries like China to the United States to start a business. Sometimes those immigrants are fleeing persecution in their country of origin. However, under this bill, if a Chinese immigrant starts a business that produces components for electric vehicle batteries, then any claimed vehicle that uses components from their business would be categorically ineligible from benefiting from the tax credit.

That means every car manufacturer would be punished for working with this business even if it is located here in the U.S. and employing American workers with absolutely no connection to any foreign government or foreign government-controlled entity.

Because of the way this bill was poorly drafted, it is even possible that it could target immigrants who have become U.S. citizens. This is simply xenophobic and wrong.

I want to be clear: There are legitimate national and economic security concerns that the U.S. faces with these foreign governments. To make sure we are addressing these concerns, it is important to prevent foreign adversaries benefiting from our tax credit, but that is, in fact, exactly what the Inflation Reduction Act already does and what the Biden-Harris administration has been upholding in their implementation of this law.

What I do staunchly object to is any legislation that creates enormous, disproportionate barriers for any individual solely because of their country of origin. The supposedly innocuous restriction of certain rights in the name of economic or national security can be just the start of the wholesale violation of our communities' civil rights.

The bottom line is this bill will hurt our transition to clean vehicles.

Madam Speaker, I oppose this bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

As chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I rise in strong opposition to the deceptively named Protect America's Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act. It brings back the shameful China Initiative, which is the new McCarthyism.

Rather than protecting America's innovation, this bill would hurt it with a Trump-era China Initiative, a program that assumed that researchers and scholars in America should be investigated if they had a nexus with China, such as being born there or having relatives from there. They targeted them and arrested them, but here is what you need to know: Most of the cases overwhelmingly failed to prosecute actual cases of economic espionage or trade secret theft. Nearly all cases had no connection to national security or espionage but rather paperwork mistakes. Many cases were dropped or withdrawn without explanation.

For so many researchers and professors, the damage was already done. By racially profiling innocent Asian-American scientists because of their ethnicity, the China Initiative ruined their reputations, finances, and lives. They were traumatized, arrested in front of their families, fired, and went into deep debt.

McCarthyism had deadly effects in the 1950s, and so does the China Initiative, harming our country's competitive edge by casting a chilling effect on our academic community. Let me be clear. While we all want to stop American secrets from being stolen, investigations should be based on evidence of criminal activity, not race and ethnicity.

This bill brings back the shameful mistakes of the China Initiative. It would stoke anti-Asian xenophobia, and it would hurt American innovation by contributing to the reverse brain drain of talent from the U.S. to the PRC from which only the CCP itself stands to benefit.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Madam Chair, as written, this partisan Energy and Water appropriations bill undermines the very programs and principles it purports to uphold. This bill will cut over 5 percent of nondefense spending compared to enacted levels, raising prices and making us less prepared to respond to the growing threat of the climate crisis and related natural disasters.

By slashing the Department of Energy's efficiency and renewable energy programs, Republicans will increase families' energy costs. By reducing the Department of Energy's loans programs by a whopping $8 billion, Republicans will be killing good-paying jobs, and our capacity to confront the climate crisis will be further hindered. By cutting the weatherization assistance program and prohibiting funding for the Department of Energy's Justice40 Initiative, low-income households will see higher home energy bills.

However, this bill goes beyond just harmful energy policies. House Republicans have made it their mission to insert divisive harmful riders in every single appropriations bill this year, and this one is no different. To name just a few, this bill contains provisions that would prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from renaming items commemorating the Confederacy and its glorification of enslavement, prohibit funding of executive orders aimed at advancing racial equity, and it would allow for firearms on public lands.

The Democratic motion to recommit will strike another provision in this bill that would allow discrimination against same-sex couples. At every turn, House Republicans are finding creative ways to entrench homophobia and other forms of discrimination in what should be bipartisan, good-faith funding bills. Rather than equip our country and our constituents with the tools needed to fight existential battles like climate change, House Republicans are committing to sending an anti-equality message that hate should win. House Democrats and I will not stand for this.

For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to committee. If the House rules permitted, I would have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill.

My amendment would strike the provisions in this bill that would allow for discrimination to same-sex couples, and that would ban the use of Pride flags at facilities.

Madam Chair, I include in the Record the text of the amendment.

Ms. Chu moves to recommit the bill H.R. 8997 to the

Committee on Appropriations with the following amendment:

Strike section 507.

Madam Chair, I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, on July 9, 2024, I was unable to cast my vote on: H.R. 7637--Refrigerator Freedom Act. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 341.

Mr. Speaker, the legislation this body brings to the floor each week speaks volumes about our priorities.

While House Democrats are defending our fundamental freedoms by fighting back against extreme MAGA Republican attacks on abortion care and fertility services like IVF, the majority believes that rather than protecting the rights of women in this country, it is essential that we protect the so-called rights of home appliances.

The difference could not be starker. In a time of unrelenting attacks on reproductive rights and when 21 States have banned, either fully or partially, abortion access, House Republicans have chosen to do nothing. They have chosen to pretend that women are not dying, that they are not being forced to carry unwanted pregnancies, and they are doing nothing to protect IVF or birth control.

Instead, they are bringing up a rule today to consider legislation to protect home appliances.

It seems that House Republicans would like toasters and microwaves to have more rights than women in this country.

Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question on this rule, my Democratic colleagues and I will offer my bill, the Women's Health Protection Act, or WHPA. WHPA is a Federal solution to the extremist Supreme Court decision to strike down Roe v. Wade. It will restore the right to everyone, no matter what State you live in, to receive abortion care.

In a world where doctors are being threatened with prison time for doing their jobs, it would protect the rights of providers to provide abortion care. This is the legislation the body should be considering today, not bills protecting blenders and coffee makers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.

Forty-nine years ago today, on April 30, 1975, the Republic of Vietnam was overthrown by communist forces in an event known as

``Black April'' or the ``Fall of Saigon,'' which is observed in Vietnamese-American communities across the United States each year. This event marked the end of the Vietnam War, which claimed the lives of as many as 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers and nearly 60,000 American soldiers, as well as hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians throughout Southeast Asia. I recognize the bravery of the soldiers of the South Vietnamese military who fought side by side with the United States Armed Forces in defense of the ideals of democracy and freedom.

Since Black April, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese, many of them refugees, have resettled in the United States and built vibrant communities across the country that contribute to the rich diversity of this Nation. They are the sixth largest immigrant group in the United States, representing nine percent of all immigrants from Asia in the United States. And they continue to show fierce commitment to those ideals of freedom and democracy as they speak out against human rights abuses in Vietnam and throughout the world.

Forty-nine years after the Fall of Saigon, I am honored to pay homage to the journeys many Vietnamese refugees and immigrants took across oceans to call America their new home. I am also proud to sponsor the Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act of 2023, legislation that would end deportations of Southeast Asian American refugees, including many Vietnamese Americans, and establish a pathway to return to the U.S for the more than 2,000 refugees who have already been deported. On this anniversary, I call on my colleagues to join me in passing this legislation and honoring our commitment to the Southeast Asian Americans who made this country home after enduring war, violence, and genocide.

I am grateful for the opportunity to honor the service and contributions of the Vietnamese American community, and to commemorate Black April on this 49th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Con. Res. 86, a disingenuous resolution that wastes our time while it misleadingly attacks a carbon tax.

Continuing with yesterday's shameless giveaways to Big Oil and Gas, Republicans' next energy week bill asserts that a carbon tax would raise food prices and the cost of every good in America, while ignoring the cost of climate change to communities hit hardest by flooding, wildfires, and other climate catastrophes, all while oil and gas executives maximize their profits. This is unacceptable.

The reality is that when Democrats controlled the House, Senate, and

White House, we did not pursue a carbon tax. Instead, we passed historic tax credits that are incentivizing and fueling the clean energy transition.

The Inflation Reduction Act was the largest climate investment in history and through it, we are powering economic growth, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, and advancing environmental justice.

While asserting a carbon tax would raise food prices, Republican leadership refuses to disavow their own Members' proposals, like the FairTax Act, which would actually be a 30 percent sales tax on everything, including groceries, medical bills, tuition, insurance, and, yes, fossil fuel products like gas that you buy at the pump, hurting the very same people they are purporting to help.

Ultimately, this resolution represents yet another attempt by House Republicans to favor corporate interests, including Big Oil, over job- creating clean energy policies and climate solutions that benefit American families and our planet. They are trying to distract from the reality that the U.S. is hitting record levels of domestic energy production under President Biden.

We welcome Republican support in facilitating the transition to clean energy. Instead, they remain focused on doing everything they can do to undo this progress. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Speaker, on February 5, 2024, I was unable to cast my vote on H.R. 443--Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 33.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 6918, the deceptively named Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act.

This bill has a simple but negative purpose: It would divert Temporary Assistance for Needy Families dollars that successfully keep needy children and families from poverty to anti-abortion centers.

These so-called crisis pregnancy centers masquerade as healthcare facilities, even going so far as to have staff dress in scrubs and white coats to mimic medical professionals.

Let's be clear: They are organizations attempting to strong-arm, manipulate, and coerce pregnant people seeking abortion care into carrying pregnancies to full term, and this is to the great disadvantage of women in need.

These anti-abortion centers are not actual medical facilities, so they are not covered by the privacy and security rules of HIPAA. With little or no consequence, staff at these facilities can lie to patients and share their personal information with anti-abortion extremists in order to survey, harass, pressure, or prosecute those seeking abortion care.

The lies these centers tell can have profound impacts on a patient's health. In Iowa, an OB/GYN has seen patients who were told at these centers that using contraceptives was the same as having an abortion.

In Massachusetts, an unqualified staff member at an anti-abortion center failed to diagnose a woman's ectopic pregnancy. That woman later required emergency surgery. Worst of all, there are no consequences to these centers for this.

A recent study of 607 anti-abortion centers across nine States found that they ``promoted patently false and/or biased medical claims about pregnancy, abortion, contraception, and reproductive healthcare providers.'' Fewer than half of these centers reported having a licensed medical professional on staff.

Unfortunately for the American people, spreading misinformation about abortion and ultimately implementing a national ban on abortion seems to be unifying objectives for Republicans here in Congress.

During our markup last week, Democrats offered a series of amendments to allow funding to these centers if they could prove that they provide medically accurate information, not harm women's health, and did not mislead or coerce women into visiting their centers.

Committee Republicans rejected all of those amendments, making it clear that their purpose is coercive propaganda, not support for pregnant women.

If Republicans want to support expecting new parents, House Democrats would welcome their backing of a fully expanded child tax credit, universal paid family and medical leave, and affordable childcare.

However, instead of considering these measures or even doing the basic business of keeping the government open, we are debating a bill going nowhere in the Senate and intended, instead, to score political points with anti-abortion groups gathering in Washington.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 6918.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the Honorable Stephen Sham, who passed away on November 29, 2023, at the age of 59. As the first Asian and Chinese American mayor of the City of Alhambra, Stephen Sham was a revered visionary, leader, and advocate who dedicated his life to empowering the Asian community, fostering economic opportunities, and promoting social equity.

Stephen Sham was born in Beijing, China, in 1964 and later lived in Hong Kong before immigrating to the United States during his teenage years. His educational journey led him to Daniel Murphy High School in Los Angeles, and he went on to earn a B.S. in Business Administration (Entrepreneurship) from Cal State L.A. Alongside his wife, he successfully operated Plaza Printing, a local business, for over 25 years.

When Stephen first started his business, he faced racism and discrimination from residents who resented the growing Asian American community in Alhambra. Motivated by these challenges, he joined the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce to challenge such prejudiced views. Through hard work and dedication, he not only dispelled misconceptions, but also rose to become the Chamber's President. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in enhancing community outreach and supporting the growth of small businesses. In fact, I was proud to honor Stephen as businessperson of the year in my Congressional District in 2018.

Stephen's journey into the public service began in 2006, when those who knew him and benefitted from his service to the community urged him to run for the City Council. He answered the call and won, ultimately making history as the first Asian American Mayor of the City of Alhambra since its establishment in 1903. His leadership extended over four mayoral terms and 12 years on the City Council.

During his tenure, he prioritized the needs of every resident and led initiatives to increase the city's and Police Department's use of social media platforms to better connect with the Chinese-speaking community. He worked closely with fellow Councilmembers to make Alhambra a more prosperous place during his time in office. He oversaw a 23 percent decline in the crime rate and a strategic investment of over $4 million into Public Safety equipment, with an additional $2 million for fire training safety.

Under his leadership, Alhambra attracted new businesses, and the city council invested in new recreational facilities for its growing community. Furthermore, the city successfully built housing to meet the growing needs of its residents, and Stephen collaborating with local non-profit organizations to reduce homelessness.

His influence expanded beyond Alhambra as Stephen served as the President of the Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO), the President of the Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, and the President of Chinese American Elected Officials (CEO). Additionally, he contributed to the Board of Directors of Bank Irvine in his most recent role.

Stephen will be remembered by family, friends, community leaders, and residents for his devotion and service to equal opportunity and diversity in the City of Alhambra. I ask my colleagues to join me in commemorating the life of this extraordinary individual.

Mr. Chairman, as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I rise in strong opposition to the DETERRENT Act.

The DETERRENT Act would burden higher education institutions and Federal agencies by needlessly complicating existing research security measures. Further, the bill would impose unreasonably expansive reporting requirements on individual researchers. What is worse is that it would broadcast their personal information on public databases; therefore, casting a chilling effect disproportionately on the Asian- American academic community.

From the incarceration of Japanese Americans in World War II to racial profiling of Chinese-American scientists under the failed China Initiative, countless Asian Americans have had their lives destroyed because our government falsely accused them of being spies. Already, 72 percent of Asian-American academic researchers report feeling unsafe.

Safeguarding national security can be done through commonsense reforms that Democrats have offered that don't come at the expense of U.S. scientific innovation, global collaboration, and the Asian- American community. In fact, Congressman Bobby Scott has submitted such an amendment that is a commonsense reform.

Meanwhile, this bill, the DETERRENT Act, is a bill that I urge all my colleagues to vote ``no'' on.

Mr. Speaker, on November 10, 2023, I was unable to cast my vote on H.R. 1105--Debbie Smith Act; H.R. 593--To rename the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Hinesville, Georgia, as the ``John Gibson, Dan James, William Sapp, and Frankie Smiley VA Clinic''; and the Motion to Refer the Resolution Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 643; YEA on Roll Call No. 644; and YEA on Roll Call No. 645.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to this amendment, which would prohibit the Small Business Administration from implementing the Community Advantage SBLC program. This amendment is an attack on veterans, rural, and low-income entrepreneurs, and it should be rejected resoundingly.

One of small businesses' greatest challenges is obtaining access to financial capital. For over a decade now, the Community Advantage program has been helping close this funding gap. Community Advantage lenders are required to make at least 60 percent of their loans to underserved markets defined as veteran-owned businesses, rural businesses, new businesses, businesses located in HUBZones, empowerment zones, and other low-income communities.

These are the types of businesses that too often find themselves on the margins. Their owners lack the ability to qualify for more traditional loans because they may lack a credit history or preexisting relationship with a bank.

What is unique about Community Advantage lenders is that they are mission-based, primarily nonprofits focused on economic and community development. They go beyond just providing loans. They provide technical assistance to the businesses they serve. As a result, Community Advantage has been far more successful than the traditional Small Business Administration 7(a) loan program at reaching underserved groups like veterans.

Community Advantage was operating as a pilot up until the SBA, just this past month, established the Community Advantage SBLC program to provide more permanency for the program and lenders.

Congress needs to build on these efforts by providing statutory permanency for Community Advantage so veteran, rural, and low-income small business owners can continue to be served. This amendment would do the exact opposite, eradicating this proven program and undoing all our progress.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support our Nation's veterans, rural, and low-income entrepreneurs by rejecting this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 95th birthday of my friend, Reverend James Lawson, who for more than half a century has been a force for justice and worker rights.

As a minister and teacher of nonviolent resistance, James Lawson was a leader of the civil rights movement and worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King. Lawson led sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and strikes, including the historic 1968 Memphis sanitation strike, and he was a mentor to our beloved John Lewis.

In 1974, Reverend Lawson moved to Los Angeles, where he teaches nonviolence at UCLA. His work orchestrating nonviolent sit-ins and civil disobedience helped improve working conditions for southern California hotel workers, generating a national movement for immigrant worker justice.

Reverend Lawson has been an inspiration to many as he continues the fight for freedom and justice.

Mr. Speaker, I wish Reverend Lawson a happy birthday.

Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to these amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act, which aren't designed to protect our national security or support the men and women in uniform who protect our freedoms.

These amendments are anti-diversity and anti-freedom. They hurt women and restrict access to necessary abortion care. They are homophobic. They censor servicemembers. They deny the existence of trans people. They needlessly undermine our military's readiness and effectiveness. They even attack our domestic film industry.

Further, these amendments seek to interfere with international collaboration on research by targeting Asian researchers and scientists and then peddle conspiracy theories about COVID-19.

As chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I have to underscore how these amendments open the door to more hate, violence, and profiling of Asian Americans, especially after 3 years of increased anti-Asian hate.

Ultimately, what was a bipartisan bill in committee has become a vehicle for MAGA Republican extremism.

Vote ``no.''