Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, today, I rise with grave concerns about the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism, both here at home and around the world.

Since Hamas' brutal attack on our democratic ally, Israel, on October 7, 2023, the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust, anti-Semitism has soared to dangerous new heights.

We have witnessed it online, in our schools, at hospitals, at professional associations, at art exhibits, and in communities across the country where Jewish individuals and institutions have been targeted with hate and violence.

This recent surge, while shocking, should not blind us to the fact that anti-Semitic sentiments have been festering and intensifying for years. We have seen this hatred manifest in alarming ways from the neo- Nazi chants on the streets of Charlottesville to the horrific attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, where 11 American Jews were murdered during Shabbat services.

Just this morning, a synagogue in Minneapolis was defaced with swastikas. These incidents are a stark reminder that the Jewish community is facing a relentless wave of anti-Semitic vitriol. We know anti-Semitism is not new. It is an ancient, shape-shifting conspiracy theory that has endured throughout history, adapting and taking on new forms across the centuries and blaming the Jews for whatever ills a society experiences.

It is a deep-seated prejudice that has caused unimaginable suffering, whether during the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the expulsion of Jews from England and France, or the violent pogroms in Russia, which brought my family here.

Of course, there is the Holocaust, a tragic and incomprehensible period in which 6 million Jews, including over 1 million children, were systematically murdered.

Despite the unspeakable horrors committed during the Holocaust, this hatred has not disappeared. It has adapted, it has spread, and it continues to poison societies to this very day.

History has shown us a painful truth. When we allow anti-Semitism and Jew hatred to spread unchecked, it becomes a profound threat, not only to the Jewish community, but to the very foundations of democracy itself.

Anti-Semitism is a poison that corrodes societies from within. It is not merely a threat to the Jewish people; it is a threat to all minority groups, to the vulnerable, to the values of tolerance, equality, and justice that underpin our democratic institutions.

However, unlike in the past when governments themselves promoted, sponsored, and weaponized anti-Semitism to fuel discrimination and violence against the Jews, that is not the case today. Today, our government is engaged in the fight against anti-Semitism.

Indeed, in the United States, we understand that we have the power, the responsibility, and the moral obligation to take a stand against anti-Semitism.

That is why in response to this rising tide of hatred, I have introduced the Countering Antisemitism Act, the most comprehensive anti-Semitism legislation in the history of our country.

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation with more than 60 cosponsors would codify portions of President Biden's national strategy to counter anti-Semitism. It would establish the first-ever national coordinator to counter anti-Semitism. It would also require law enforcement to ensure robust threat assessment reporting, enhance education about the history of anti-Semitism, and appoint a senior official within the Department of Education to counter anti-Semitism on college campuses and in K-12 schools.

Come January, we will have a new administration and a new Congress, yet this issue is not going away. That is why I am calling on my colleagues to join me in taking a firm stand against rising anti- Semitism. Each of us in this body has a responsibility to ensure that the horrors of the past are never repeated.

This Congress must send a powerful message that there is no room in this

country for anti-Semitism or any kind of hatred. I ask my colleagues to continue this work after my time in Congress comes to an end.

While we may never eradicate anti-Semitism, we must make it clear that anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination are unacceptable and can never be normalized in this great country, the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Scott for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Never Again Education Reauthorization Act, bipartisan legislation authored by my colleague Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada.

As the co-lead of the House version of this bill with my colleague Congressman Buddy Carter, I am proud to support this legislation to continue vital resources for Holocaust education nationwide.

We have witnessed an alarming rise in anti-Semitism across our country in recent years. Since Hamas' brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, this hatred has skyrocketed. According to the Anti- Defamation League, anti-Semitic incidents have increased by more than 200 percent following Hamas' attack.

We have seen the impact of the rise in anti-Semitism in our K-12 schools and on college campuses across the country. Unfortunately, too many young people know too little about the Holocaust and the long history of anti-Jewish hatred.

According to a 2020 Claims Conference survey, among millennial and Gen Z Americans, 63 percent do not know that 6 million Jews were murdered during the Holocaust, and 12 percent have never heard about or do not think they have ever heard the word ``Holocaust'' before.

Additionally, in its very first report to Congress under the Never Again Education Act, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum highlighted a striking and troubling finding: a significant lack of student knowledge about the Holocaust.

In the educator-centered surveys, both experienced and inexperienced secondary teachers reported that close to 40 percent of their students had no familiarity with the Holocaust.

In the fight against bigotry, ignorance, and intolerance, education is one of the most powerful tools we have.

Education about the Holocaust and the long history of anti-Semitism is vital because it can help teach students about how to be moral citizens. It allows them to learn valuable lessons about bearing witness, fostering tolerance and civic values, safeguarding democracy, and embracing the responsibility to confront hate wherever it appears, to speak out rather than remain silent bystanders.

That is why Congress passed the Never Again Education Act in 2020 and why we must work together on a bipartisan basis to ensure this critical work continues.

This bill will extend support for Holocaust education across the Nation. It will continue the United State Holocaust Memorial Museum's strong track record of providing resources.

Mr. Speaker, I support the Never Again Education Reauthorization Act, and I ask my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep gratitude for the people of North Carolina's Sixth Congressional District for trusting me to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives.

I have been proud to stand with House Democrats to pass historic legislation to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, lower the cost of prescription drugs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, protect our future with the development of clean energy, address gun violence, and provide vital support for our veterans.

Thanks to these efforts, 80,000 households in my district have gained access to affordable high-speed internet, 39,000 residents are saving hundreds of dollars annually on their prescription drugs, and more than 4,700 veterans exposed to toxins during their service have filed claims to access benefits they have earned.

I have also been proud to secure nearly $60 million in Federal funding for community projects across the Sixth District. From improved transportation to new equipment for our police and firefighters, public safety initiatives, expanding education and job training, incentivizing economic development and public health, these projects are making a real difference.

I have also been proud to fight against the terrible loss of women's rights. Two years ago, the Supreme Court overturned 50 years of judicial precedent with its decision to strike down Roe v. Wade. This terrible ruling stripped millions of women of their right to obtain an abortion, has placed devastating hurdles in obtaining care for miscarriages, and has unleashed a wave of rightwing attacks on the full range of women's reproductive healthcare, including birth control.

That is why I introduced my Right to Contraception Act, to protect access to all FDA-approved birth control, which passed through the House in the last Congress. Sadly, my bill was blocked by Republicans, first in the Senate and again this term by Republicans in the House. It is shameful.

As policy co-chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, I have been proud to fight for all women to make decisions about their own bodies and to have the ability to succeed in the workplace while still caring for their children and their family members.

In addition to fighting for North Carolinians' basic freedoms, I have worked to advance America's values and interests on the world stage. As the vice ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I have advocated for rebuilding and expanding strong relationships with our allies, including unwavering support for Ukraine and Israel in the face of unprecedented attacks.

After Hamas' brutal October 7 invasion of Israel, I have stood up against the alarming rise in anti-Semitism here at home and around the globe as the co-chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism. This includes introducing my Countering Antisemitism Act, the most comprehensive legislation aimed at addressing the disturbing increase in anti-Semitism in our country's history.

This bill must be passed if we are serious about eradicating the scourge of the world's oldest hatred and protecting the fundamentals of our democracy. What begins with hatred against the Jews never ends there but spreads to other vulnerable groups.

As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, I have championed investments in our students and schools and worked to address the youth mental health crisis, introducing the Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act to expand resources for our students.

As chair of the New Democrat Coalition Workforce Development Task Force, I have fought to address ongoing labor shortages and prepare workers for the jobs of the future.

While I would love to continue this important work on behalf of my constituents, the blatantly gerrymandered congressional districts passed by the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly make it impossible for me to do so. These maps are a deliberate distortion of the will of the people, designed with surgical precision to split communities of interest and deny real representation to North Carolinians. These maps force me to depart Congress, but I recognize that I am doing so at a time of great division within our country.

Now, more than ever, it is our duty in this Chamber to reaffirm the fundamental values that unite us as Americans: freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and the belief that all people are created equal.

While I will not be here to witness the next chapters of history written in this Chamber, I will keep using my voice to defend these values and trust in their enduring power to make our Union more perfect.

I will close by thanking my extraordinary staff members who work every day to get things done for the people we represent. I thank everyone who supported me in getting to Congress and all the colleagues with whom I have worked to develop friendships on both sides of the aisle.

Mr. Speaker, as the designee of the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Gottheimer), I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, this amendment offered by my colleague, Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, ensures that the civic education curriculum in this bill covers how past and present communist and totalitarian regimes have committed grave human rights abuses and threatened democracies.

Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that communist and totalitarian regimes view democracies as a threat. They have repeatedly sought to undermine democracies and threaten their stability at every turn. Nevertheless, these regimes often trample the rights of many of their own citizens, especially ethnic and religious minorities.

As we know, the People's Republic of China has committed grave human rights abuses and, according to the State Department, continues to carry out genocide, crimes against humanity, forced labor, and other human rights violations against Uyghurs in China's western provinces.

The PRC also poses an increasingly aggressive threat to Taiwan, a key democracy and a vital partner of the U.S. which shares our fundamental values.

I firmly believe that it is worthwhile for students from all backgrounds to better understand these facts. This amendment broadens and expands the curriculum that would be made available to high school students to help them become more aware of history and how communist and totalitarian regimes threaten our security and values.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in supporting Representative Gottheimer's commonsense amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin), my good friend and cousin.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of my dear friend and a true pillar of the Greensboro community, Yvonne Johnson.

Few individuals have so completely embodied the spirit of their city as Yvonne did for Greensboro. A proud native, she graduated from Dudley High School and received degrees from both Bennett College and North Carolina A&T State University.

It was during her college years that she became deeply involved in the civil rights movement, marching with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and participating in the historic Woolworth's sit-ins.

Her relentless dedication to justice paved the way for nearly 30 years of service on the Greensboro City Council, where she made history as the first Black person elected to serve. Later, she shattered another barrier as the city's first Black mayor.

Yvonne was a trailblazer, a role model, and a real leader. I will miss her, but I feel privileged to have known and worked with her. Surely her memory will be a blessing for all who knew her, for she made Greensboro a better place for all of us.

Mr. Speaker, as I rise today, women's basic reproductive freedoms are under relentless attack by rightwing politicians and judges across the country.

Over 2 years ago, Donald Trump's hand-picked MAGA Supreme Court Justices overturned Roe v. Wade, dismantling 50 years of judicial precedent.

This catastrophic decision has left one in three women living under outright abortion bans and unleashed a coordinated effort to undermine the full range of reproductive healthcare, including access to birth control.

In his concurring opinion in the Dobbs case, Justice Clarence Thomas explicitly called for revisiting the right to contraception. Despite the fact that over 90 percent of women rely on contraception at some point in their lives, extremist Republicans have seized on this as a rallying cry to target birth control.

In Oklahoma, Republican lawmakers have proposed radical legislation to outlaw widely used forms of contraception, including IUDs and the morning-after pill.

In States like Virginia, Arizona, Tennessee, and North Carolina, extremist Republicans have blocked efforts to protect access to contraception.

Adding to this alarming trend, Trump's Project 2025 blueprint outlines a dangerous agenda to further dismantle reproductive healthcare, including targeting emergency contraception and insurance coverage for birth control.

Despite his campaign claims of ignorance about Project 2025, Trump is now staffing his administration with the very architects of this extreme agenda.

I refuse to stand by and let these MAGA extremists interfere with women's private healthcare decisions. That is why I am fighting to pass my Right to Contraception Act to ensure every American has the right to access the full range of FDA-approved birth control.

This legislation is a safeguard against the growing threats to contraceptive rights. It ensures that every American can make crucial decisions about their health, their family planning, and their future.

The Right to Contraception Act guarantees the right to access contraceptive services and protects healthcare providers' ability to deliver them. It also secures access to the full range of contraceptive methods, including birth control pills, IUDs, and emergency contraceptives like Plan B.

In June, I was proud to announce a discharge petition to bring my bill to the House floor for a vote, and I invited my Republican colleagues who claim to support the right to contraception to join me in signing it. All these months later, not a single House Republican has signed that petition.

This comes after 195 House Republicans voted against the right to obtain birth control in the last Congress, and the legislation was blocked by Republicans in the Senate.

To quote award-winning poet and fellow North Carolinian Maya Angelou: ``When someone shows you who they are, believe them. . . . ''

Time and time again, extremist Republicans have shown us exactly who they are. Their attacks on reproductive rights didn't stop with Roe. In fact, they are just getting started.

In contrast, we Democrats believe that every American has the right to decide whether, when, and with whom to have children. No politician or judge should have the power to take that right away.

Republicans purport to believe in small government. Let them start by staying out of our bedrooms and our doctors' offices.

While I may soon be departing Congress because of the outrageous gerrymandering by the Republican-controlled legislature in North Carolina, let me be clear: I will never stop fighting for women to receive the basic reproductive healthcare they need and deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Corporal Matthew A. Wyatt.

After graduating high school in June 2001, Corporal Wyatt made the courageous decision to serve his country. He joined the Marine Corps, where he was based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina before deploying to Iraq.

On December 3, 2004, Corporal Wyatt gave his life to stop an enemy attack on his base. He was only 21 years old. Corporal Wyatt bravely acted without hesitation to save the lives of his fellow servicemembers.

Today, his memory is carried forward by his father, Marine Gunnery Sergeant Alan Wyatt; his mother, Verlene; and the entire family, who proudly uphold the three-generation legacy of military service.

Corporal Wyatt's stepmother, Lauren, also continues to honor his legacy through her work in my district office, where she serves veterans and military families, ensuring they receive the support they need.

To pay tribute to Corporal Wyatt's sacrifice, I am proud to support legislation to rename the United States Post Office in his hometown of Millstadt, Illinois, in his honor. While no act of gratitude will ever be enough to fill the void left by Corporal Wyatt's absence, I hope this naming will comfort his loved ones and remind them that his sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin), my friend, for yielding time to me.

I also thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel), my good friend, for her efforts to recognize the hard work and dedication of Benjamin Ferencz by naming a post office in his honor.

Mr. Speaker, in the wake of World War II and the Holocaust, Mr. Ferencz bravely prosecuted Nazis during the Nuremberg trials. Mr. Ferencz' family fled Jewish persecution in Romania and immigrated to the United States when he was just a baby.

He later studied law and joined the U.S. Army. Through his military service and his tireless pursuit of justice at the Nuremberg trials, he proved himself to be a true American patriot.

At a time of rising anti-Semitism, both globally and in this country, it is crucial to honor Mr. Ferencz. He fought to hold accountable those responsible for anti-Semitic actions that led to the unprecedented murder of 6 million innocent Jews.

Today, as I mentioned, we are seeing a frightening rise of anti- Semitism all across our country and around the globe, and we are seeing the growth of Holocaust deniers, people who deny that the 6 million Jews were murdered in cold blood. These are people who blame these deaths on the victims themselves.

We are seeing victim blaming in other instances of anti-Semitism--for example, what just happened in Amsterdam.

Ben Ferencz knew the truth of what happened, and he was willing to hold people accountable.

As the first Jewish Member of Congress elected from my home State of North Carolina, it is both a privilege and an honor to recognize a fellow Jew who served his country and his people with distinction and honor. Mr. Ferencz was the embodiment of the Biblical instruction: ``Justice, justice you shall pursue.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Ms. Frankel, for her efforts to make sure this post office is named for such a deserving honoree.

Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from North Carolina, Representative Wiley Nickel, for holding this Special Order hour so that we can talk about such an important issue, an issue that strikes at the very heart of our democracy, and that is gerrymandering.

Last year, in my State of North Carolina, the Republican-led general assembly passed blatantly gerrymandered congressional districts engineered with one clear purpose: to reduce the number of Democrats in Congress.

These new maps deliberately distort the will of the people, systematically diluting the votes of Democratic-leaning areas, like my district.

Communities of interest were split, districts were manipulated with surgical precision, leaving many voters voiceless in the very communities they call home.

In my own Sixth District, the city of Greensboro, a city of 300,000 people, was split into three parts. Each piece combined with farflung, ruby-red, rural districts. The majority of Greensboro was drawn into a district stretching across 10 counties all the way to the Tennessee border. In doing so, the new maps also separate the heart of Greensboro from High Point and from Winston-Salem, effectively dismantling a triad district, a community of interest that deserves cohesive representation.

Remarkably, and not coincidentally, the newly drawn Sixth District gives a 16-point advantage to a Republican candidate over a Democratic one. As someone who has lived in Greensboro for four decades, I am outraged by the brazen disregard Republicans in Raleigh have shown the citizens of my district.

Let's be clear. This is not democracy at work. This is political manipulation at its worst, designed not to represent the people but for partisan gain.

I want to give a little bit of history about how ridiculous this gerrymandering is and what has taken place, because the Republican-led legislature in North Carolina did the exact same thing in 2021. Despite their own statements that they would keep communities of interest together and avoid splitting counties, they drew a map back then that split my former triad district into three pieces and split two counties.

My constituents brought a lawsuit. The North Carolina Supreme Court found that the partisan gerrymandering, which the court found, based on presentations by esteemed statisticians and computer experts and other experts, that extreme gerrymandering was done with surgical precision and that that violated the North Carolina State Constitution.

The court ordered the maps to be redrawn, and eventually they had to appoint a three-judge panel to redraw fair maps. That panel, two Republicans and one Democrat, redrew the maps to keep communities of interest together and to avoid splitting counties. The result? In a truly purple State, where voters have just elected--well, I am going to come back to that. In a truly purple State, the voters elected seven Republicans and seven Democrats to the U.S. House of Representatives. Now, that was in 2021.

What happened to those same maps in 2023? That same North Carolina Supreme Court that found that gerrymandering was not allowed under the North Carolina State constitution was now dominated by Republicans, and they actually reversed their prior decision. They decided that extreme partisan gerrymandering is just fine in the State of North Carolina.

There were no new facts, no new communities of interest, no new counties, no new law, no new North Carolina constitution, just new Republican Supreme Court judges.

The result of those new maps drawn with no guardrails by our Republican-dominated general assembly, well, North Carolina, the State that just elected a Democratic Governor, a Democratic Lieutenant Governor, a Democratic attorney general, a Democratic secretary of state, and a Democratic superintendent of public instruction will, next term, have 10 Republicans and only 4 Democrats in the House of Representatives.

Thanks to the hypocrisy of our supreme court, the elected officials of our State have decided whom they want to represent rather than allowing the voters to decide whom they want to represent them.

In a democracy, the voters should choose who represents them, not the other way around.

That is why I was so proud to join my fellow North Carolinian Democratic delegation colleagues, including Congressmen Wiley Nickel and Jeff Jackson, whose seats were also targeted by the partisan Republican gerrymander, to introduce the Redistricting Transparency and Accountability Act.

I thank my colleague, Representative Wiley Nickel, for that legislation.

The legislation goes after the partisan, secretive redistricting process, which, in North Carolina, Republicans used to overhaul the balanced, fair maps that I described earlier that were in place for the 2022 election by enhancing public input and increasing transparency in the map-drawing process. The maps this time around were drawn in secret with no legitimate public input.

Additionally, I am proud to cosponsor the Freedom to Vote Act, which seeks to put an end to partisan gerrymandering once and for all.

This critical legislation will ensure that all North Carolinians, Republicans and Democrats alike, have the right to fair representation. While these gerrymandered maps will prevent me from continuing to serve my constituents in Congress, the fight for fair districts is far from over.

Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to thank the hundreds of constituents who have called me, texted me, written letters, emailed me, and stopped me in the public streets to tell me how disgusted they are by the extreme partisan gerrymandering that will prevent me from continuing to represent them. I appreciate their support. I want them to know what a true privilege it has been for me to represent them and the communities I love so much in the Sixth District of North Carolina. I will continue to stand with all those who fight for a system where every voter's voice is heard and every vote truly counts.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3012, the North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act.

I start by thanking Representatives Kim and Bera for their leadership on this bill. Initially passed in 2004, the North Korean Human Rights Act was landmark legislation that promoted accountability for human rights violations in North Korea. We are here today because the underlying tenets of this bill are as necessary today as they were 20 years ago.

Since rising to power in 2011, Kim Jung Un has doubled down on the brutal, authoritarian rule of his father and grandfather. His government has committed untold human rights violations, including arbitrary and extrajudicial killings, mass detention, forced labor, and torture.

Under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pyongyang used lockdowns to intensify its repression, including through shoot-to-kill orders on its borders and draconian policies that have driven segments of the North Korean population into famine.

Today, North Korea remains one of the most, if not the most, repressive countries in the world. It is critical that we reauthorize the North Korean Human Rights Act today, and I urge the Senate to pass this bill immediately so that President Biden can sign it into law this year. It is essential that we reauthorize the bill now to make the United States' commitment on this issue clear and irreversible.

We must not ignore the horrific human catastrophe taking place in North Korea. It is disappointing that

the Trump administration did not appoint a Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues, which the North Korean Human Rights Act mandates. Congress must ensure that does not happen again.

This bill will enable thorough legislative oversight of the administration's North Korea policy, including by requiring the administration to answer to Congress should it fail to appoint a Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues in an expedient fashion.

H.R. 3012 would also provide the incoming administration with the tools necessary to elevate the cause of human rights in North Korea while extending reporting requirements that will allow Congress to ensure that the United States does not ignore Pyongyang's brutal treatment of its own citizens.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

We must be just as committed today to supporting the human rights of North Koreans as we were in 2004, which is why I support this bipartisan reauthorization of the North Korean Human Rights Act through 2028.

While much of U.S. policy toward North Korea is focused on its nuclear and missile programs, we cannot ignore the gross human rights abuses within the country. We can and must address both.

I thank Representatives Kim and Bera for shining a light on the struggle of the North Korean people. I hope my colleagues will join me and support this important bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 8234. As the world has reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for passports last year skyrocketed, leading to significant delays. Under Secretary of State Antony Blinken's leadership and the tireless efforts of consular officials, the State Department successfully tackled this backlog and restored processing times to prepandemic levels. Moreover, this administration has partnered closely with Congress to advance modernization of the Department's consular processing to be better prepared to handle future surges in demand.

The provisions in H.R. 8234 aim to further strengthen our passport processing infrastructure, particularly to help ensure that all Americans, especially those in rural or remote areas, have reasonably convenient access to passport services. This includes permissive authorities for the Department of State to better enable applicants to utilize private couriers, access passport acceptance agents, and remember to renew their passports before expiry. These provisions can help those in underserved communities who may not have a passport acceptance facility nearby.

There is no single solution to the challenges in providing passport and visa services at a sustained and high level, and the Department's efforts must be driven not by the preferences of courier companies or potential new acceptance agents but by the Americans who need passports.

We must work together and in a smart way to ensure the State Department has the authorities and resources it needs to carry out its mission securely and efficiently with respect to passport processing, and H.R. 8234 can help provide additional practical tools, where and as necessary, to improve service delivery and meet the needs of American travelers.

Therefore, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

The Department of State's passport application processing has shown welcomed improvement. The bipartisan provisions in this bill would help them make even more progress and connect more Americans to a U.S. passport.

By helping the State Department increase access and meet higher demand, I hope we can prove that the government can adapt and work faster.

Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, and I hope we can advance further measures to support consular services in a bipartisan fashion, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8368. There is one thing I believe unites us on the issue of Afghanistan, and that is unwavering commitment to the Afghan allies who stood by us during our nearly two-decade mission in the country. This bill is about honoring that commitment.

H.R. 8368 formally authorizes the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, or CARE, which has been leading the essential work of supporting those who risked their lives to assist the United States by helping eligible Afghan applicants and their families relocate to the United States.

By providing a clear bipartisan mandate, along with the authorities that the State Department has requested, this legislation sends a strong message of support for CARE's mission that can't simply be waved away. It demonstrates that Congress stands firmly behind the creative, tenacious efforts by the CARE office to relocate and protect our deserving Afghan partners.

These are individuals who risked everything to support our mission. They served as interpreters, guides, and partners in some of the most dangerous conditions imaginable. To turn our backs on them now would be unconscionable.

Let's remember that our commitment is not just a matter of policy or party, but it is a matter of principle. This bill is a step in the right direction, but it cannot be the final word on our support for our Afghan allies, particularly since Congress will need to continue to act to ensure Afghan special immigrant visas remain available and CARE's work is appropriately resourced during the period authorized by this bill. There are bipartisan bills we can bring to the floor in this Congress to accomplish exactly that.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill introduced by Representative Titus, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same so that we can continue to uphold our promises to those who stood by us in Afghanistan.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus), an esteemed member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the author of this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close.

Mr. Speaker, for over 20 years, our Afghan allies risked everything to support the U.S. mission, and we must not turn our backs on them now. The CARE office deserves a clear, bipartisan mandate. I hope my colleagues will join me and support this important bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 554, affirming the nature and importance of the support of the United States for the religious and ethnic minority survivors of genocide in Iraq, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution introduced by Representative Slotkin, which shines a much-needed spotlight on the significant contributions of Iraq's religious and ethnic minority communities, as well as the profound suffering they have endured.

Iraq is home to a rich tapestry of communities, each contributing to the nation's cultural heritage. Among them are the Yazidis, Shabak, and Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian Christians. These groups are not just a part of Iraq's history, but they are integral to its identity.

The persecution faced by these communities is well-documented, especially during the rise of ISIS. The brutal terrorist group committed unimaginable horrors against Iraq's minorities. The list of atrocities is long: kidnappings, torture, public executions, arbitrary detentions, and systematic rape. The scale of this cruelty led the State Department, under Secretary Kerry in 2016, to formally declare ISIS' actions as genocide and crimes against humanity.

While the territorial defeat of ISIS was achieved through the courageous efforts of the Iraqi Security Forces with critical support from the United States and our international partners, efforts at recovery are far from over.

Many of the communities that suffered most during ISIS' reign of terror continue to face challenges in rebuilding their homes, reclaiming their heritage, and securing representation in Iraq's national fabric.

This bipartisan resolution is a testament to the resilience of these communities and a call to action. It acknowledges the immense suffering they have endured, recognizes their invaluable contributions to Iraqi society, and underscores the need for continued U.S. engagement.

This resolution is not just about remembering the past, but it is about supporting a future where these communities can thrive once again. It emphasizes the importance of rebuilding, not just physically, but also restoring the cultural and historic sites that are central to their identity.

I extend my gratitude to Representatives Slotkin and James for their leadership on this critical issue. Let us stand together in support of this resolution, which not only honors the legacy of Iraq's diverse communities, but also reaffirms our commitment to their future.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Slotkin), my good friend and fellow Michigander, the author of this important resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.

Mr. Speaker, this resolution shines a critical light on the lives, opportunities, and cultures lost in Iraq due to ISIS' campaign of terror.

The State Department rightfully declared ISIS responsible for genocide in 2016, but Congress had been too late to respond. The Yezidis, Shabak, as well as Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian Christians deserve equitable representation in the recorded history of Iraqi society. I am proud to stand with my bipartisan colleagues in supporting Iraqi religious and ethnic minorities who, for too long, have gone unnoticed.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H. Res. 554, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 837, which reaffirms the vital partnership between the United States and the Philippines. I thank Delegate Moylan and Representative Bobby Scott for bringing forward this important and timely resolution.

The relationship between our two democracies is more than just a longstanding alliance; it is a cornerstone for stability in the Indo- Pacific region.

Over the past year, Beijing has persistently and illegally bullied the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia have intensified their harassment of Philippine fishing vessels in contested waters as well as within the Philippines' own exclusive economic zone.

Chinese security forces have used water cannons, wielded axes and machetes, engaged in ramming and blocking maneuvers, and interfered with humanitarian supply missions of the Philippine Coast Guard.

These actions are dangerous and unacceptable. Beijing's military coercion and provocation threaten the Philippines' sovereignty as well as peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Philippine President Marcos has spoken passionately about the daily harassment faced by his nation's fishermen and coast guard at the hands of China's maritime militia, coast guard, and navy. His message has been clear:

The Philippines need international support to uphold international law and safeguard its sovereignty.

By passing this resolution today, we are offering that support. Amidst Beijing's flagrant and irresponsible actions, H. Res. 837 makes clear that the United States stands with the Philippines and reaffirms our commitment to defending the Philippines in the event of an armed attack against it. The resolution also upholds the importance of freedom of navigation and the rule of law on the seas, condemns the PRC's dangerous tactics, and rejects its unlawful maritime claims.

Over the past 4 years, the Biden administration has strengthened our alliance with the Philippines. We have bolstered our interoperability with the Philippines Armed Forces through a vital expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to four new sites.

The United States has also promoted partner collaboration with the Philippines, principally by hosting President Marcos in D.C. for the inaugural U.S.-Philippines-Japan Trilateral Summit and strengthening security coordination with Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.

Congress also did its part by passing the critical National Security Supplemental earlier this year with funds for our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific.

Passing this resolution advances those efforts by reaffirming the alliance, as well as our shared resolve to uphold peace, stability, and the rule of law in the region.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), the ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and a strong supporter of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Hawaii (Mr. Case), a very strong supporter of our partners in the Pacific.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the U.S.-Philippines alliance is imperative to both our security and the security of the Indo-Pacific region. Today, the Philippines is on the front lines in Beijing's attempts to flout international law and upend the status quo in the South China Sea. As Philippine vessels face threat and intimidation from Beijing, we must work together to ensure that our friends are not alone and that they do not waver.

By agreeing to H. Res. 837, we can send a clear message: The United States stands with the Philippines against Beijing's coercion and intimidation as we work to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.

I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H. Res. 837.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1328, which condemns atrocities in Sudan, including those that amount to genocide.

I support this resolution because it is imperative we turn the world's attention to the dire situation unfolding in Sudan. The scale of suffering there is nothing short of horrific. It is the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Yet, the response from the international community has been alarmingly silent.

Since April 2023, the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces has had devastating consequences. The violence has claimed up to 150,000 lives and forced more than 14 million people to flee their homes. According to reports from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, more than half of Sudan's population now faces severe food insecurity, including some in Darfur who are experiencing famine.

The humanitarian needs are escalating by the day. Yet both the RSF and SAF have systematically obstructed humanitarian efforts. It is a moral outrage.

This resolution takes a firm stand against the atrocities that have come to define this conflict, including war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. It also condemns acts of violence that may amount to genocide, especially against the Masalit people and other non-Arab ethnic communities in Darfur.

The evidence of wide-ranging atrocities being committed in Sudan is overwhelming. We cannot turn a blind eye. It is essential that we hold those responsible to account for such crimes. That is why we have called on the administration to take decisive action, urging a determination under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act for gross violations of human rights by the RSF.

Last December, Secretary Blinken rightfully acknowledged that ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity are being committed in Sudan. The United States has taken steps to sanction those fueling this conflict, including new sanctions on an RSF commander just last week.

However, more needs to be done, including by Congress, which is why my colleagues are working currently on additional legislative efforts to ensure smarter sustained action to end this crisis.

The resolution before us today urges our government to continue updating its assessment of the situation to ensure that the voices of the Sudanese people are not lost in the fog of war.

It urges immediate steps to protect civilians who are subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, torture, and murder by warring parties.

It is now time for other nations to step up, too. Whether through increased humanitarian aid, support for documenting these heinous crimes, or sanctions against those perpetrating this violence, every effort counts. Those who are providing material support to the warring parties, like the UAE, Russia, and Iran, must immediately stop prolonging the conflict.

Innocent civilians are dying every day. We cannot afford to let Sudan's cries for help go unanswered. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and, by doing so, to stand in solidarity with the people of Sudan.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing.

It is imperative that the U.S. takes this firm stance against the crimes against humanity waged by the Rapid Support Forces, their allied militias, and the Sudanese Armed Forces.

What is happening in Sudan right now, as I speak, is the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Famine, food insecurity, death, and destruction linger over millions of people.

This resolution recounts only some of the significant documented evidence of the Sudanese people's plight. While its passage is just one small step, it is a critical one. It sends a clear message: The world is watching, and we will not stand idle in the face of such suffering.

Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H. Res. 1328, and I yield back the balance of my time.