Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to express the serious concern that our aviation community has regarding the rollout of 5G service. The Federal Aviation Administration has warned that potential 5G interference could affect sensitive airplane instruments, such as radar altimeters, which would significantly hamper low-visibility operations, and so we must delay the rollout of 5G at select airports until we can address all aviation safety concerns.

Pilots across America are flying in low-visibility conditions, from snow to sea fog to other zero-visibility conditions, and they need all the instruments and procedures at their disposal so that they can safely protect the lives of their passengers and crew.

We cannot and must not compromise on safety. It will be safe to fly when pilots say it is safe to fly. The United States has the safest air transportation system in the world, and we must continue to safeguard this system.

I am thankful that wireless carriers have decided to delay the implementation at key airports, but that does not go far enough. The FAA needs to ensure that 5G services will not be implemented at any of the 50 airport locations that have been identified as vulnerable until safety can be ensured.

Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, December 2, I was not present for Roll Call votes 397 and 401. Had l been present, l would have voted:

Yea on the Table Motion to Reconsider on providing for consideration of H.R. 6119, making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes; and Yea on H.R. 2390 the Safeguarding Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act of 2021, as amended.

Members Recorded Pursuant to House Resolution 8, 117th Congress

Adams (Brown (MD))

Butterfield (Ryan)

Cardenas (Soto)

Cawthorn (Nehls)

Crist (Wasserman Schultz)

Curtis (Meijer)

DeFazio (Carbajal)

Donalds (McClain)

Frankel, Lois (Kuster)

Fulcher (Johnson (OH))

Garcia (TX) (Jeffries)

Green (TX) (Cuellar)

Hagedorn (Moolenaar)

Lawrence (Johnson (GA))

Lawson (FL) (Evans)

Lesko (Miller (WV))

Luetkemeyer (Meuser)

Meng (Kuster)

Moore (UT) (Owens)

Palazzo (Fleischmann)

Payne (Pallone)

Porter (Wexton)

Posey (Cammack)

Reed (Kelly (PA))

Reschenthaler (Meuser)

Ruiz (Aguilar)

Rush (Quigley)

Sires (Pallone)

Stewart (Owens)

Swalwell (Gomez)

Takano (Chu)

Underwood (Casten)

Vela (Gomez)

Watson Coleman (Pallone)

Wilson (FL) (Hayes)

Mr. Speaker, as a native Hawaiian, I am excited to highlight how the Build Back Better Act will benefit the native Hawaiian community and all of the original indigenous peoples, the first peoples of these nations, across the United States.

The Build Back Better Act will strengthen our collective indigenous communities through investments in culturally relevant healthcare, housing and community development, professional development for indigenous languages and early childhood educators, accelerator programs for small businesses, and funding for native Hawaiian healthcare systems.

These programs further the trust responsibility from the United States Government to indigenous communities.

The Build Back Better Act also creates opportunities for Federal consultation on land use planning, development, and infrastructure projects--something our indigenous communities have requested for years.

That is why we must pass the Build Back Better Act and add its investments to the initiatives we just passed in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Build Back Better Act supports our indigenous communities and creates opportunity for indigenous peoples while ensuring that America's richest citizens pay their fair share.

Mahalo, Mr. Speaker.

Madam Speaker, we face a now-or-never moment to reverse the severe consequences of the climate crisis. Our narrow margin to avert catastrophe is shrinking, and right now, Democrats hold the power to enact aggressive policies to turn that tide. Failing to meet the moment in the Build Back Better Act is frankly a nonstarter.

In my home State of Hawaii, the devastating effects of climate change are crystal clear. Each year, we experience unprecedented flooding, which causes landslides, washes out bridges, and creates dam failures; rising sea levels that lead to coastal erosion are visible along every island; and warming waters that cause widespread coral bleaching that kill our fish populations and threaten our economy.

As we face these challenges, Hawaii has been a leader in green energy sources, including geothermal, ocean, solar, and hydro-energy. However, while my State can do its part, we need a robust national effort if we are to sustain our planet for future generations.

Madam Speaker, the global climate crisis is our greatest national security threat, and I urge all my colleagues to answer the call to action by passing the Build Back Better Act.

Madam Speaker, Mr. Richard Trumka blessed our nation with leadership, courage, and dignity, fighting for working men and women throughout his life. Born into a coal mining family in Nemacolin, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, Richard never forgot his working-class roots.

At the age of 19, Richard followed the footsteps of his father and grandfather--straight into the mine shafts, alternating several months below ground and several months in school. He graduated from Pennsylvania State and received a law degree from Villanova. Then for 13 years, he led the United Mine Workers of America as its elected president before bringing his staunch advocacy to the AFL-CIO, first as its secretary-treasurer, then as its president.

Many will remember Richard as a leader who opened the door of opportunity for millions of Americans. I, too, will remember Richard in the same vein. Today, Hawaii's working men and women share more of the nation's wealth because of Richard's leadership at the AFL-CIO.

I will also remember Richard for his fight for social and racial justice when in the early 1980s, he took a strong stand in solidarity with Black mineworkers in South Africa. Richard chaired the U.S. Boycott Committee, mobilized the support of other unions, and rallied opposition to apartheid. He urged the AFL-CIO to support the boycott against the Royal Dutch Shell, who, as he explained, was a critical multinational corporation propping up the South African government.

At a 1988 rally in Chicago, Richard stated that ``true labor solidarity cannot be limited by national boundaries or the color of a person's skin. My opposition to apartheid comes not only from my personal beliefs and values, but is also deeply rooted in the history of my union.''

Richard was a true traditional union leader who fought for economic, social, and racial justice for all. Richard stood for true solidarity. Looking upon us from above, Richard just might be saying, ``Don't mourn, Organize!'' Aloha oe, Richard. Mahalo for devoting your life to uplifting the lives of all Americans and working people throughout the world.

Mr. Speaker, for far too long, America's broken for- profit healthcare system has left millions of Americans uninsured or underinsured.

While out-of-pocket costs and corporate profits continue to rise, 8 million Americans have turned to a new form of health insurance, online fundraisers like GoFundMe, to pay their medical bills.

My nephew, Sean Day, was one of them. He passed away from cancer earlier this month at just 22 years of age.

Mr. Speaker, we live in the richest country in the world. No one should be priced out of the healthcare that they need or delay seeing a doctor just because they can't afford it. No one should be forced to ask strangers online to crowdsource their medical bills. It is simply not right.

This is why we must pass the Build Back Better Act. The Build Back Better Act will invest in our communities' healthcare, expand medical coverage for our kupuna, and lower prescription drug prices. It will save lives.

During the deadliest pandemic in U.S. history, we must deliver the care that American families deserve. We must leave no one behind.

Mr. Speaker, first, I thank the appropriations chair, Ms. DeLauro, and Ranking Member Granger for their leadership in bringing these appropriations bills to the floor.

I rise before you today, Mr. Speaker, to speak on behalf of my bipartisan amendment co-led by Representatives Ferguson, Davis, Fitzpatrick, and Bergman.

For the last 10 years, some foreign airlines have sought to undermine international standards, the rights of U.S. workers, and to erode the competitiveness of our U.S. domestic airlines. These foreign airlines are unfairly using atypical business practices to register their airline away from its home country in more convenient locations to find countries with more permissive legal, regulatory, labor, and safety standards which creates a serious disadvantage for our U.S. workers and carriers, as well as undermines the safety standards the U.S. has worked so hard to cultivate.

Commercial aviation contributes over 5 percent to the U.S. GDP and supports hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs. My bipartisan amendment seeks to prevent flags of convenience airlines from undercutting U.S. jobs by ensuring that no Federal funds can be used to approve a new foreign air carrier permit unless certain conditions are met, including evaluating if it is in the best public interest.

This commonsense amendment, Mr. Speaker, will enable the Department of Transportation to prevent foreign airlines that use atypical or flags of convenience business models from flying to and from the United States which will support American jobs, American workers, and the U.S. airline industry.

Madam Speaker, ``Always Ready, Always There.'' That is the motto of our National Guard, our citizen soldiers, who, since 1636, have been prepared at all times as the first line of defense for our country.

When a natural disaster strikes--hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions--who do we call? We call the National Guard.

When a human-made disaster strikes--chemical spills, large-scale electrical power outages--who do we call? We call the National Guard.

When States and local governments get overwhelmed because of situations beyond their control, who do those Governors, mayors, and State legislatures call? They call the National Guard.

When a global health pandemic cripples the country, who do we call? We call the National Guard.

And when an assault on our Nation's Capitol, a deadly insurrection, happens, who do we call to protect this hallowed beacon of democracy, to ensure a safe, peaceful transfer of power can occur? We called the National Guard.

Every single time--``Always Ready, Always There''--the National Guard has answered the call. Our National Guard keeps us safe and has done so since the inception of our democracy.

Following the deadly January 6 insurrection and leading up to the inauguration of our President and Vice President on January 20, Congress called upon the National Guard, and an unprecedented 26,700 guardsmen from across the country were deployed to secure our Nation's Capitol and protect the very lawmakers and staff that work in this Capitol.

The Guard then continued to serve and support civil authorities in Washington, D.C., for the next 137 days. They left their families. Many took unexpected leave from their civilian jobs during a health pandemic to report to our Nation's Capitol. They stood watch 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, many times in the frigid cold in the dark of night.

Many of us got to know them personally. We brought them food, coffee. We met them on the ramp at Andrews Air Force Base. We took pictures on the Capitol steps. We shook their hands and thanked them and their families for their service.

Our National Guard fulfilled their duty bravely and completed their mission. Now, it is Congress' turn to not only pay our respects but pay the bill that is due. What bill? What am I talking about? Well, it cost $521 million to protect our Nation's Capitol for those 137 days.

National Guard leadership, adjutant generals, and State Governors sent their guardsmen to our Nation's Capitol with the promise that those funds would be repaid in a timely manner. As a result, the Army and Air National Guard paid for the Capitol Response mission and fronted the money from their own fiscal year 2021 funding. Time is of the essence, and we must pay them the money that we owe immediately and before August 1.

The reality is, if we fail to issue reimbursements by August 1, there will be real consequences. The National Guard Bureau has already sent out notices to States regarding canceling the remaining annual training days and/or canceling August and September drills. If training is canceled, several thousand guardsmen will not have enough service time this fiscal year to receive credit for a good year toward military retirement.

Approximately 2,000 functional and occupational training schools will be canceled, affecting their readiness, pay, and career progression. Ground vehicle and rotary wing operations and maintenance will be halted. Air National Guard flying operations will be negatively impacted, as they just only now begin the recovery from the effects of the pandemic. The 54th Security Forces Assistance Brigade combat training center rotation next month, in August, will be canceled.

Without reimbursement by August 1, it will take years to recover our readiness, which will be immediately impacted and decrease by up to 20 percent.

Those are some of the operational and readiness impacts of not meeting that August 1 deadline. But the real damages, Madam Speaker, are the profound personal impacts, which will have an immediate effect on the morale of those soldiers and airmen, their families, and retention across the 54 States and territories.

The increased psychological stress on our National Guard servicemembers and families in an already highly stressed environment is absolutely unacceptable. They are being asked to suffer, to sacrifice, because this body,

Congress, is unable to meet its end of a good-faith agreement with State leaders fully expecting to be reimbursed and not having to ``take it out of hide,'' which is what the National Guard is being asked to do now.

To put it simply, guardsmen--and I hear from them every single day-- are in absolute disbelief that after all they have done this last year, answering our Nation's call, this is how they are being treated.

Madam Speaker, today is July 21. We have 11 days. We must take immediate action. I urge all of us in Congress to swiftly come to an agreement on an appropriations emergency bill that includes full reimbursement of $521 million for our National Guard by August 1. That is the least we can do for our citizen soldiers and their families who are always ready and always there.

Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I stand before you to share the passing of a legendary news and sports broadcaster, an accomplished musician, a father, friend, and son of Hawaii, Robert Kaleimomi Kekaula, who unexpectedly passed away last Saturday in Hawaii at 56 years of age.

In order to tell you about Robert, I must do so with great respect to his chosen career path and success as the consummate communicator.

Where, when, and how quickly he acquired his excellent skills, whether at his high school alma mater, the Kamehameha Schools, the University of Hawaii, where he earned a bachelor's degree in communications, or throughout his experience as a Native Hawaiian growing up on Hawaii Island, I can't say.

Yet what I can say with certainty is that Robert held the powerful ability of talking to people; not about people, but to people. And he did it exceedingly well, with thousands, including myself, for 35 years in the broadcast industry.

It is quite possible that his talents were not learned skills at all, but, rather, God-given gifts that he so willingly shared with all of us. I would be hard-pressed to find a living room or dining table in Hawaii that did not at some point during that time welcome in Robert Kekaula and his daily evening news and sports reports.

The reason, Robert connected with people. For him, people came first, before the stories, before the news. He understood that the primary role of the news, of the media was to improve people's lives. It was not to be sensational. It was not to stoke conflict. It was to inform.

That sincerity, that genuine care, from a man with that unmistakable baritone voice and dominant presence, made people comfortable to watch him; moreover, comfortable to share the details of their lives with him, and the audience who leaned in to listen and learn.

Described as a perfectionist, he held himself and others to three requirements in the newsroom. What went out of his newsroom and into the living rooms had to be correct, pertinent, and helpful to Hawaii.

He had a photographic memory for detail. He was a wordsmith. He had the ear of key figures in Hawaii sports. He was proud of the local kids who made it. He was all about Hawaii.

His reach into our homes did not stop with him, however, because Robert made it a point to share his knowledge. As a mentor, he could see in young journalists what others could not see.

He opened his door to those who otherwise had doors closed in their faces. And just as folks welcomed him into their homes, Robert would welcome aspiring broadcasters into his home of sports and news.

Many young men and women he mentored went on to become sports anchors, as well as news reporters, and every single one of them was better for having Robert in their lives.

His bright Aloha shirts became his mainstay. He became synonymous with them. He was rarely seen without one. And on the national circuit, the Daily Show with Trevor Noah shared a shot of Robert in his Aloha shirt, and Noah commented: ``Even their newscasts are so chill.''

The brightness of Robert's shirts only mirrored the brightness of his smile and the endless radiance of his Aloha spirit.

Within this skilled communicator and mentor lived a Native Hawaiian who inspired others, including myself. To see Robert on the news and the small screen gave way to other Native Hawaiians to believe they could have a career on TV, too.

In public, he was just as approachable, and friends tell me he often covered the tab for those he didn't know.

His legacy lives on through the people fortunate enough to learn from him and work with him and in the music he composed, produced, and performed alongside his daughter, Tiera, and through his family and friends whom he loved dearly.

``'A'ohe mea nana e ho'opuhili, he moho no ka la makani,'' ``there is no one to interfere, for he is a messenger of a windy day,'' said in admiration of a person who lets nothing stop him from carrying out the task entrusted to him.

To me and to so many others, that is the essence of Robert, who carried out the task as the consummate communicator with extreme love for Hawaii and its people.

Mahalo, Robert Kaleimomi Kekaula, for your immeasurable contributions to Hawaii. We are forever grateful, and you will be forever missed.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Representative Case, for yielding to me so that I may speak on the merits of all Japanese Americans who served during World War II, a recognition the United States Postal Service captured with the recent issuance of its 2021 Go for Broke Japanese American soldiers of World War II commemorative stamp.

Go for Broke, the motto of the brave 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which means give it your all, speaks to the spirit of courage, of patriotism and sacrifice, as well as their fight for equality for all people.

The 442nd, almost entirely composed of second-generation Japanese Americans, or Nisei, was the most-decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of the United States. Eighty years ago, these brave Americans were filled with dreams, aspirations, and hope, only to be faced with harsh discrimination and assaults on their character and loyalty to America.

The Go for Broke Japanese American soldiers of World War II stamps are forever stamps and symbolize these men and women's undying devotion to their country.

Madam Speaker, mahalo also to my brother and my freshman colleague from New York for allowing me this opportunity to speak about something really important in our country, and that is the American Families Plan.

Today, I rise in support of our Nation's students, the future of America, an engaged generation of young Americans working to create a better future for our country. We must stand with them. The time is now to do that, as they embark on their journey to unlock their potential and achieve their dreams. But that journey starts with a quality education and the opportunity for higher education, the great equalizer in our society.

Now, our children wield tremendous potential and remind us to dream big. However, too many of our students do not have that opportunity because of the high costs of public higher education. Skyrocketing tuition, application fees, student fees, overpriced textbooks, meal plans, dorm plans all contribute to $1.4 trillion in crushing student debt and are barriers preventing all of America's children from pursuing higher education.

The American Families Plan will change that. The American Families

Plan will enable the opportunity for every student across the country to obtain a degree or certificate through a community college for free.

The American Families Plan is built to invest in our children from early childhood through postsecondary education. Most importantly, this plan recognizes the importance of investing in access to community college.

Each year thousands of students in my home State of Hawaii benefit from community colleges across our islands, but unfortunately just 50 percent of those students are able to complete a postsecondary degree of any kind within 6 years of enrolling. As a product of community college myself, and an educator, I know how these public institutions can positively impact our most disadvantaged communities, which is why for so long I have fought to remove barriers to higher education.

The American Families Plan will redefine access to education, taking the long overdue step of ensuring 2 years of free community college for all students. This opportunity will invest in the future of our students, prepare them to compete and succeed in a highly competitive global economy, and level the playing field.

Every child in our country deserves the opportunity to live the American Dream, but in order to achieve that, we must believe, all of us must believe that we all have a stake in each other's prosperity.

President Biden's vision in the American Families Plan is a defining moment in our Nation's history and will give American children head starts and pave the way for the best-educated generation in U.S. history.

America's students have an amazing opportunity to pursue education beyond high school. Let us give them that opportunity.

Mahalo, Madam Speaker, and my colleague from New York.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding me time.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to speak in favor of H.R. 2878, the bipartisan Native VetSuccess at Tribal Colleges and Universities Pilot Program, which includes a bill that I co-led with my esteemed colleague from Iowa's Second Congressional District, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, the VET TEC Enhancement Act.

In our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much to protect our Nation and keep our country whole. We owe them our thanks, we owe them our respect, but most importantly, we owe them our support as they transition back into civilian life once their service is over.

The Veteran Employment Through Technical Education Courses, or VET TEC, is a 5-year pilot program that allows eligible veterans to use GI Bill-style benefits to attend innovative job training programs and prepare them for future employment in the technology industry. Our bill would expand funding of this program from $45 million to $125 million a year, allowing more of our men and women in uniform to enroll each year.

The VET TEC program is highly popular and has a 90 percent completion rate, giving our veterans the tools they need to gain meaningful employment in well-paying jobs. No servicemember who has taken the oath to protect and defend our country should be left behind in today's 21st century workforce. I am proud to co-lead this important legislation, and I look forward to its passage and benefit to America's servicemembers. Mahalo.

Mr. Speaker, today it is with overwhelming pride that I rise to congratulate the 2021 NCAA Men's Volleyball National Champions of the University of Hawaii.

In Columbus, Ohio this past Saturday, the Rainbow Warriors dominated Brigham Young University in a three-set sweep showcasing to the Nation the qualities of a team hungry for a national championship only made possible through years of hard work, perseverance, grit, mental fortitude, and sportsmanship.

As a former Rainbow Warriors men's volleyball player and proud alumnus, I know how much this victory means to the program and all of Hawaii.

So congratulations to the head coach, Charlie Wade, the coaching staff, UH athletics programs, the players, and, Mr. Speaker, most importantly, the best collegiate volleyball fans, supporters, boosters, and Aunty's on the planet.

Hawaii is so proud of them. No Ka `Oi, and go Bows.

Madam Speaker:

(English translation of the statement made in Hawaiian by Mr. Kahele is as follows:)

The dark, clouded heavens weep. The spirit has embarked on the path with no return.

Ua kani mai ka papa wa`a

Ua ue ka lani po panopano

Ua lele ka `uhane i ke ala ho`i`ole mai

Madam Speaker, I stand before you today to share with you and the Nation the sad news of the passing of a great navigator, leader, educator, and friend, Chad Kalepa Baybayan.

On March 8, 1975, the deep-sea voyaging canoe Hokule`a was launched. Born of legends and stories brought to life through the paintings of the acclaimed Hawaiian artist Herb Kane, it was the first Hawaiian voyaging canoe to sail Hawaii's waters in over 600 years and became a catalyst for Hawaiian pride and identity during the Hawaiian renaissance.

At the age of 19, Kalepa's first connection to Hokule`a was on the shores of his home island of Maui in 1975 during Hokule`a's sail trials and crew training. This first connection inspired him and forever changed his life. He has diligently served the voyaging movement ever since, learning, growing, then mastering and teaching the next generation of navigators.

Kalepa also believed deeply in the importance of education as a vessel to expand the reach of voyaging, and the legacy of education his kupuna and lahui, his ancestors and nation, left for him to continue.

Kalepa obtained a bachelor's in Hawaiian studies and a master's in education, all while being intimately involved with voyaging and wayfinding. He was fluent in `olelo Hawaii and had a firm belief that indigenous knowledge guiding modern technologies will hold the answers to many of the challenges facing our world today.

In his professional career, Kalepa served as the site director of Honukai, the exploration sciences division of the `Aha Punana Leo, where his dedication to his language, culture, and love of voyaging inspired him to build the first Hawaiian language voyaging canoe, Hokualaka`i, that touched hundreds of students and introduced them to voyaging through the perspective of his native tongue.

Kalepa then went on to serve as the first-ever navigator in residence at the `Imiloa Astronomy Center at UH Hilo, which he helped to establish. His work at `Imiloa also allowed him to engage in the international indigenous education movement while also engaging in the various sciences, bringing the knowledge of his people to the world.

Kalepa was one of just five Native Hawaiian navigators inducted into the rank of Pwo by the late Satawalese Master Navigator Pius ``Mau'' Piailug in 2007. When asked about the kuleana, or responsibilities of being a Pwo master navigator, Kalepa would always simply state that being Pwo is being a light for your community and for your people.

Most recently, Kalepa was key to the success of the World Wide Voyage, which took the voyaging canoe Hokule`a around the world on 31 legs to over 150 ports in 18 nations and to these very shores of Washington, D.C., in May 2016, bringing attention to the health of the oceans, its people, and the need for a more sustainable world.

Kalepa crewed 18 of the 31 legs of this 3-year voyage and, over his career, logged more miles voyaging than any other crewmember in the nearly five-decade history of the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hokule`a.

Kalepa was first and foremost a dedicated and loving husband, son, sibling, father, and grandfather who sought tirelessly to do his part in creating a better world for his `ohana, his family, and for all children of the world. His unwavering commitment to being a light to his community and his desire to make this world a better place has always shone forth.

I say to my colleagues that Kalepa is a prime example of the type of leader we should all aspire to be, one who inspires others to action while at the same time creating opportunities, oftentimes when they least expect it, for them to fulfill their responsibilities to their communities.

Madam Speaker, on April 8, 2021, Kalepa took his final voyage from this earthly realm, e ola mau loa ka inoa `o Chad Kalepa Baybayan. His legacy will live on. May we learn from this legacy of service as we lead this Nation and navigate the waters ahead. Mahalo.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of all women across the Nation, to ensure they will be paid fairly based on their work performance, not their gender.

Mr. Speaker, I am blessed with three young daughters. My oldest daughter, `Ale'aokalani, who, as we speak, is studying at Juan Diego High School in Draper, Utah, is preparing to embark on her own journey as a grown woman. She is smart, talented, and, most of all, a hard worker.

But right now, in our country, she and my two younger daughters are faced with insurmountable odds that no amount of hard work or diligence can overcome. As Native Hawaiian women, they are estimated to only make 63 cents to every dollar that their White male peers would make working the exact same job.

The Paycheck Fairness Act guarantees they will no longer have to fight for the same rights and paychecks as men.

Mr. Speaker, equal pay for equal work, it is as simple as that.