Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, on Saturday, we lost Congressman John Cooksey, a former Member of this body and an outstanding American who dedicated his life to serving his country and improving the lives of others.

John Cooksey was born in Alexandria, Louisiana in 1941, and grew up near his father's sawmill in rural LaSalle Parish. He attended LSU and LSU Medical School and became an ophthalmologist. His love for practicing medicine ran so deep that he continued to treat patients for nearly 50 years.

Madam Speaker, just yesterday, I heard the story of a World War II veteran whose vision had become distorted because of his combat injuries. Dr. Cooksey treated him, restored the man's vision, and performed the entire surgery free of charge.

Dr. Cooksey also served as a medical missionary to Africa, volunteering his time and skills to treat those desperately in need of medical care. He was so moved by his experiences there that he returned home and personally led the fundraising drive to build a modern eye clinic in Kenya.

Dr. Cooksey had a dedication to serving others and a deep commitment to serving our country. He was a pilot in the Air Force and flew missions during the Vietnam War.

In 1996, Dr. Cooksey was elected to serve the people of Louisiana's Fifth Congressional District here in the House of Representatives. Throughout his three terms, he was known for delivering results that were transformational for our region and always going above and beyond to help his constituents.

On a personal level, I will always be grateful to John Cooksey for giving my late husband, Luke, his start in politics, instilling a love for the work of this Congress in an eager young boy from Start, Louisiana. For me, he was more than a predecessor, he was a trusted mentor, a confidant, and a friend.

Madam Speaker, we have lost a dedicated public servant who was an outstanding Member of this body. In his memory, I ask all Members in the Chamber to join me in observing a moment of silence as we honor the incredible life and remarkable accomplishments of Congressman John Cooksey.

Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained on May 17, 2022, during rollcall No. 186, on ordering the previous question providing for consideration of H.R. 6531, H.R. 7309, and S. 2938, and for other purposes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 186.

members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress

Adams (Ross)

Allred (Wexton)

Bass (Takano)

Bice (OK) (Lucas)

Bilirakis (Fleischmann)

Bishop (GA)

(Thompson (MS))

Bourdeaux (Wexton)

Bowman (Garcia (TX))

Boyle, Brendan F.

(Neguse)

Brooks (Moore (AL))

Brownley (Kuster)

Butterfield (Ross)

Cardenas (Soto)

Castro (TX) (Garcia (TX))

Cawthorn (Moore (AL))

Craig (Pallone)

Cuellar (Garcia (TX))

Delgado (Neguse)

DeSaulnier (Beyer)

Dunn (Miller-Meeks)

Evans (Beyer)

Fallon (Van Duyne)

Fitzpatrick (Bacon)

Gosar (Gohmert)

Higgins (NY) (Pallone)

Jackson Lee (Cicilline)

Jayapal (Takano)

Johnson (TX) (Jeffries)

Kirkpatrick (Pallone)

Lamb (Pallone)

Langevin (Lynch)

Lee (NV) (Neguse)

Maloney, Carolyn B.

(Wasserman Schultz)

McEachin (Wexton)

McHenry (Banks)

Meijer (Katko)

Nehls (Carl)

Ocasio-Cortez (Takano)

Payne (Pallone)

Porter (Wexton)

Ruiz (Correa)

Ryan (Wexton)

Schrader

(Blunt Rochester)

Scott, David

(Jeffries)

Sires (Pallone)

Spanberger (Beyer)

Spartz

(Miller-Meeks)

Stauber (Bergman)

Stewart (Owens)

Suozzi (Beyer)

Taylor (Van Duyne)

Van Drew (Tenney)

Walorski (Bucshon)

Wilson (FL) (Neguse)

Wilson (SC) (Timmons)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mayor Clarence Fields of Pineville, Louisiana, who is entering his final weeks in office after an extraordinary career.

A lifelong resident of Pineville, Mayor Fields has led the city for nearly 22 years. If you need any indicator of the amazing work he has done, look no further than the fact that he was reelected to City Hall six times and was unopposed in his last four elections.

During his time in office, Mayor Fields has been committed to attracting investment to the community and creating good paying jobs for residents. He is also known as a bridge builder--working across racial, political, and geographic lines to deliver results for Pineville and Rapides Parish. He has been an outstanding public servant, and our region is better because he chose to share his talents with the people of his hometown.

The mayor had planned on running again this year but decided to retire to spend more time with his grandchildren. While I will miss working with Mayor Fields, I wish him the best in his very well- deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the House considers H.R. 4738, the COVID-19 American History Project Act.

The last 2 years have been unimaginable for every single American. As COVID-19 ravaged our Nation, we lost nearly 1 million citizens to this devastating virus.

For countless families, those deaths were not just a number on the news but the visceral loss of a loved one: a grandparent, a husband, a wife, a mom, a dad, a sister, a brother, a daughter, or a son.

My own family faced the pain of this pandemic as we lost my husband, Luke, just days before he would take a seat in this very Chamber.

Studies tell us that when a person dies, approximately nine people from

their inner circle, their family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors suffer profound grief.

This bill is dedicated to them, the now nearly 9 million Americans who live every day with newfound emptiness and suffering.

For families like mine, that loss means an empty chair at the dinner table, a son who won't be able to go fishing with his dad anymore, and a daughter who won't be able to dance with her father on her wedding day.

But this bill also values our people's personal experiences during the pandemic which will help inform the collective narrative. Their accounts will facilitate healing and give hope to the generations of Americans to follow.

The COVID-19 American History Project Act will task the Library of Congress to record, collect, and keep the stories of Americans impacted by the pandemic, personal accounts from those who survived this virus, from those who lost loved ones, and from our healthcare heroes, the doctors, nurses, technicians, ambulance drivers, and custodians who served on the front lines of this pandemic, and to whom we owe an enormous amount of gratitude.

This bill will allow us to use our voices as citizens to write the history of this time. Personal stories are powerful and can promote healing while also helping others who are hurting.

Medical research tells us that sharing a story through verbal or written means has a cathartic effect on a grieving individual. I know from my own life experiences that when we tell our stories of tragedy and loss, that is when true healing begins.

It is time for the American people to heal. It is time for us to finally put the fear and divisiveness of this pandemic behind us. It is time to let the values of hope and peace guide our Nation once again.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is fitting for this bill to come up for a vote on the first day this House begins to reopen.

As we welcome the American people back inside their House, let us also welcome the countless stories of those we lost throughout these last 2 years.

Every day when I look into my toddlers' faces, I see their dad's amazing spirit, and I find comfort in knowing that his greatest legacy will live on through them.

But it is my children's generation and those not yet born who will need to know the personal history and indelible impact of this pandemic, and it should be written by the very people who lived it and were impacted directly.

My husband, Luke, loved history and had a tremendous passion for preserving our shared American heritage. His knowledge of the past profoundly shaped his public service.

I think of the hours he spent poring over historical documents, writing and publishing the stories of the people who came before us.

Let us preserve today's stories, not just to write a record, but to inform the decisions of those who will stand in this Chamber decades from now and chart the course for our Republic.

It is the dawn of a new day in America, one where we can finally begin to move forward from COVID-19. And while we vow never to forget the great suffering and loss so many of us endured, we stand emboldened by the collective healing of the American spirit.

The Library of Congress' mission is to engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity.

Let us amplify the voices of the American people. Let us use their stories and experiences to write this history, and never let us forget those we lost.

In closing, I am reminded of a quote from Rick Warren who said, ``Other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.''

Mr. Speaker, it is time for to us let our country heal. It is time for us to share our stories.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 70.

Like countless Americans, I am deeply shocked by the recent threats against our Nation's historically Black colleges and universities. As a former educator who spent my career working on college campuses, I firmly believe that every student has the right to learn in a safe environment and free from threats and intimidation.

I am proud to say that my State of Louisiana is home to some of the Nation's most iconic HBCUs, including Grambling State University, Southern University, and Xavier University of Louisiana. I am saddened to know the emotional anguish that students, faculty, and staff went through last month when threats were made against Southern and Xavier.

Today, we send a clear message to those that want to use fear, intimidation, and hatred against our Nation's HBCUs: We will never just stand by and let you terrorize our students, our next generation of leaders, and our future.

So many Members of this Congress are united, both Republicans and Democrats, and we are proud to support America's HBCUs with this resolution.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a truly outstanding individual from Louisiana's Fifth District. For almost 50 years, Irene Robinson, known to so many of us as Ms. Irene, has been the radio voice of West Carroll Parish, using the airwaves to keep our rural communities informed about the latest news, weather, and events around town. In addition, she is a diehard football fan and spent her Friday nights as the beloved announcer for the Oak Grove Tigers.

Throughout her career, Ms. Irene ensured that her station, KWCL, was a community gathering place, highlighting some of the best in our region. Her love for family and for Louisiana, particularly her native West Carroll Parish, was always evident on the air.

Ms. Irene's late husband, Ivy, also served as her engineer, ensuring that her broadcasts were always a family affair. I can tell you that the sense of family also extended to her guests as well.

Madam Speaker, we are honored to celebrate Ms. Irene Robinson for her many contributions in northeast Louisiana, we recognize the incredible legacy she leaves behind, and wish her

well in her retirement after decades of service to our region.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Councilman Harry Silver, a truly distinguished public servant, as he marks his 100th birthday.

Harry Silver served the people of Alexandria, Louisiana, on the city council for more than 15 years before stepping down 11 months ago at age 99. At an age where most people are slowing down and taking it a bit easy, Harry stepped up to serve, wanting to give back to the community that he called home.

After Harry's initial appointment in 2005, the people of Alexandria reelected Harry to the council four times.

At the time of his retirement, Harry was both the oldest active elected official in the United States and the oldest elected official in Louisiana history.

In his farewell message to the city, Harry said: ``Whether you or your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents agreed with me or not over the years, I hope everyone agrees that I acted only as I felt was best for our mutual home.

Madam Speaker, that is all that we can ask of a public servant.

We are honored and proud to salute Harry Silver of Alexandria, Louisiana, on his 100th birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so we can immediately consider H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act. I believe that this legislation is critical for our students, to ensure success in the current school year, and also address the learning gap that has arisen during this pandemic.

As parents, we know that education is the most essential cornerstone in the foundation of our children's future. Throughout the past year I have heard from countless parents who had to put their lives on hold to assume the role of teacher in their child's virtual classroom, while other family priorities, including returning to work, took a backseat.

As a former educator myself, I know how crucial classroom discussion is to the learning process. The statistics clearly show that students learn better when they are able to participate in person and interact with their peers and teachers, and not reduced to just a face on a screen.

I also want to note that in rural areas such as my district, successful virtual learning is nearly impossible because of the lack of access to broadband internet. In my home State of Louisiana, our standardized tests show that the number of students in grades 3 through 8 who achieved the State's proficiency goals fell by nearly 5 percent during the pandemic.

Over the past 2 years, Congress has appropriated billions of dollars so schools can take the necessary steps to reopen safely. I want to be clear: We are not asking schools to put either students or teachers into unsafe environments. We did not send States and districts that funding for them to simply shut their doors again.

Madam Speaker, it is absolutely critical for us to move forward on this legislation to ensure that American students can continue to learn in safe, face-to-face classrooms across this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so we can immediately take up H.R. 6056, the Parents Bill of Rights Act.

As a mom of two and a former educator, I can tell you from firsthand experience that education is not something that can happen without parents playing a role. The learning process requires both sides to work together and have collaborative partnerships that ensure a student's success.

Parents should not have a system of values and beliefs forced on their children or send them to school while fearing indoctrination by a political agenda. The idea that government can exclude parents and have total control of the classroom will never work because it ignores the simple truth that these are our children, not the government's.

The Parents Bill of Rights Act puts safeguards in place that ensure that the foundation of education is built on a meaningful dialogue between a family and their child's school. This bill has five core principles that are designed to create mutually beneficial partnerships and lead to greater collaboration.

Those five principles are: one, parents have the right to review their school's curriculum, reading materials, and State academic standards; two, parents have the right to lawfully engage with their local school board and educators; three, parents have the right to see a school's budget and spending, including detailed information about revenues and expenditures; four, parents have the right to protect their child's privacy; and, finally, parents have the right to keep their child safe and be updated on any violent activity at school.

The ideas contained in this bill are not partisan or polarizing; they are simple and common sense. In my home State of Louisiana, a similar parents bill of rights passed with broad support from both Republicans and Democrats, and I hope we can follow suit here in Congress.

Several weeks ago, Louisiana's State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley, wrote about how family involvement is critical for educational success. He said: ``It takes a family to raise a child. Schools exist to support that effort with a responsibility to provide a quality education in a safe environment.''

Mr. Speaker, we have the opportunity today in this body to take a step forward for America's families, and I hope my colleagues across the aisle will join us in that effort.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate Dr. Foxx's strong leadership of the committee and on this important issue.

According to CDC estimates, at least one in three Americans has experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by a partner. For decades, Congress has worked in a bipartisan fashion to dedicate resources toward preventing and healing the suffering of these victims.

But today, the bill we are considering, H.R. 2119, the Family Violence and Prevention Services Improvement Act, includes several highly concerning provisions.

First, this bill opens the door for entities to spend taxpayer dollars on abortions.

Secondly, it forces an unnecessary conversation about sexual orientation and gender identity when these issues have never been a part of this bill before and should not be a barrier between people and the services they need.

Our focus must be on supporting survivors and those who use these vital resources. That is why my substitute amendment replaces the full text of the bill before us with multiple key provisions to ensure victims of domestic violence and their dependents receive critical assistance to help them in their time of crisis.

First, my amendment reauthorizes the current Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, FVPSA, for the next 5 years, ensuring that victims of domestic violence get the lifesaving, supportive services they need.

FVPSA was enacted to save innocent lives, not put them in harm's way. That is why my amendment also rejects a change included in the Democrats' proposal that could lead to violence prevention dollars going to support abortion services. The amendment makes clear that Federal law should not support abortions. Upholding the sanctity of every human life is of utmost importance, and it is critical to ensure that no taxpayer dollars pay for abortions.

Next, my amendment also protects the ability of faith-based organizations to continue helping victims of domestic violence. Countless religious organizations work tirelessly to help protect victims of domestic violence, but the Democrats' radical abortion agenda risks denying victims' access to these providers.

Finally, my amendment brings much-needed transparency and Federal agency accountability to the programs authorized under this law. Congress should have safeguards in place to ensure that these resources are going to the people who truly need them and not being used to push a hidden agenda without the public's knowledge.

The Republican substitute is a carefully crafted set of reforms that puts victims of family violence and the people who serve them first. Furthermore, it is a pro-life amendment strongly opposed by Planned Parenthood.

I urge my colleagues to reject the other side's bill and instead embrace the commonsense, lifesaving provisions included in the Republican substitute amendment.

Madam Speaker, I rise to offer an amendment to this bill.

However, before I talk about the amendment, I think it is important for the House to note that the legislation before us is perhaps the most extreme abortion measure that Congress has ever considered. It will overturn countless protections for the unborn that States have already put into place, including those in my home State of Louisiana.

As both a woman and, most importantly, a mother of two children, I feel uniquely qualified to speak about this issue. I have experienced firsthand the miracle of life and know the incredible intricacy of how a child is formed in the womb. Intimately knowing the special bond that grows between a mother and a child over those 9 months, I do not understand how we can pass this bill, a law that will allow an abortion to be performed up until the actual moment of birth, despite the fact that the child has a fully developed heart and can feel pain.

The amendment I am bringing forward is the text of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in which my distinguished colleague from Missouri, Ann Wagner, has been an outstanding leader.

This amendment is simple, straightforward, and the right thing to do. It would ensure that newborn children who survive an abortion are given the same crucial, lifesaving medical care that any infant would receive.

The most transformational moment in my life was when I held my two children in my arms for the first time. I have always considered myself to be pro-life, but I never truly understood the sanctity of life until that moment. I can't image why anybody would intentionally deny a precious child taking his first beautiful, beautiful breaths of life the very care that would keep them alive.

This language has received bipartisan support in the past, and I hope my colleagues across the aisle will join us in voting in favor of this important measure that will truly save the lives of countless children.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to include the text of the amendment in the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 272.

Madam Speaker, I voted incorrectly on roll call vote 231, I intended to vote YEA

Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so that we can amend the rule to allow the consideration of H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.

This critical bill will finally codify the Hyde amendment and uphold the longstanding bipartisan agreement that prevents taxpayer dollars from funding abortions.

While Republicans and Democrats have engaged in heated debates over abortion in the past 40 years, we were always able to agree on the simple principle that public funding should not be used for abortions. The Hyde amendment, which explicitly spelled this policy out, has been included in every single appropriations bill since 1976, including those passed under the Clinton and Obama administrations.

This commonsense, lifesaving amendment has been supported by many Members of this body, including many of my colleagues across the aisle. It is incredibly disappointing to see that this administration and the Democratic majority have decided to ignore four decades of consensus and instead embrace a controversial new policy opposed by over 60 percent of Americans.

As both a Christian and a mother, I deeply understand the preciousness of an innocent child's life. When I arrived in Congress a few months ago, one of my first actions was to sign on to H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. But whether you are a strong pro- life advocate like me, or hold an opposing view, we should all be able to get behind this bill.

Taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortions. It is a simple, commonsense measure that should have as much bipartisan support this year as it has in the past.

Madam Speaker, as a woman of faith, I am called to love my neighbor as myself and to bear one another's burdens. My heart is heavy with the burden, pain, and loss experienced by the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Unfortunately, we have seen a nationwide rise in hateful and harmful acts toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Targeted violence against anyone based on who they are cannot be tolerated. It is not who we are as a people and goes against everything we represent as a nation.

Today, I had hoped to be able to support H. Res. 275, condemning the horrific shootings of the eight Asian women in Atlanta, to honor the lives of the victims, and recognize the basic American fundamentals that reject hatred and violence.

Instead, what would have been a fitting and honorable resolution ended up being just another vehicle for delivering cheap shots against our former President.

I am disappointed that I cannot support this resolution as written.