Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the career of my dear friend, Rabbi Arnie Rachlis, who is retiring after 35 years as the spiritual leader of University Synagogue in Irvine.

From serving as a White House fellow, to delivering an invocation for President Obama, to growing University Synagogue into a place of worship that now serves over 600 Orange County families, Rabbi Rachlis has created a legacy that will resonate for generations to come.

Rabbi Rachlis has been a beacon of wisdom, compassion, and inclusivity, and his teachings foster a spirit of unity and understanding. I am particularly grateful for the Rabbi's dedication to civic engagement and his deep understanding of that as a part of Jewish life. I am honored that Rabbi Rachlis often welcomed me to engage with his congregation in thoughtful dialogue.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Rabbi Rachlis so much for his service to University Synagogue and our community. Mazel tov on a well-deserved retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast my votes on December 6, 2023. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 698, NAY on Roll Call No. 699, YEA on Roll Call No. 700, NAY on Roll Call No. 701, YEA on Roll Call No. 702, NAY on Roll Call No. 703 and YEA on Roll Call No. 704.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast my vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 705 and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 706.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast my votes on rollcall 692, rollcall 693, rollcall 694, rollcall 695, rollcall 696, and rollcall 697. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall 692, ``nay'' on rollcall 693, ``yea'' on rollcall 694, ``yea'' on rollcall 695, ``yea'' on rollcall 696, and ``present'' on rollcall 697.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, the Iranian regime is a danger to international security and democratic order everywhere.

The regime has funded terrorism across the Middle East for years, enabling groups like Hamas to attack Israel and commit other atrocities. The Iranian regime doesn't stop with supporting regional terrorism. It commits its own atrocities, consistently and brutally cracking down on its own citizens fighting for basic freedoms.

If all that weren't enough, the Iran regime further refuses to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, putting the world at risk.

Challenges like these require Congress to make policy that meets the moment, but we can only do that if Members of Congress and the people we represent can do oversight and fully understand our administration's policy toward Iran.

Americans will benefit from more information on how our Nation is approaching preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and ending Iran's support for terrorist networks. Congress will also benefit from this information so that we can better legislate on Iran, consistent with the security interests and values of the United States.

Under President Obama's administration, the United States Government issued periodic reports on its evolving policy in Syria. This set a model for the executive branch sharing information with lawmakers and the public regarding United States foreign policy toward countries of concern.

In Congress, we know that the details of our Nation's Iran policy are complex and fluid, but precedent exists for our administration to provide a more complete window into its foreign policy objectives in specific countries.

This bipartisan amendment would commission a detailed report on United States policy with regard to Iran with regard to human rights, nuclear proliferation, the ballistic missile program, and regional terrorism.

We don't need talking heads force-feeding us conclusions about this administration's Iran policy. Let's get an oversight report about what that policy is and let everyone draw their own conclusions. Then, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle can better make policy that addresses the challenges we face operating from a shared platform of information.

Mr. Chair, let's trust the American people and each other with information. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, in Iran, we see a familiar pattern. Iranians are standing up, demanding change for themselves, their families, and their country. Then, the Iranian regime cracks down, arresting protesters and journalists and unleashing violence against its own people. Instead of giving its people the freedoms they seek, the regime limits freedoms, including restricting internet access.

For authoritarian governments like the Iranian regime, restricting internet access couldn't be more crucial as a tool in repressing their own citizens. The internet is a portal to information about human rights, democratic order, economic prosperity, and thriving civil society. These things support freedom, and freedom is exactly the opposite of what the Iranian regime wants.

To give Iranians a better future, we need to support them in having real access to the internet, and that means the internet without censorship, without digital surveillance, and without online repression. My amendment will help us do that.

First, the amendment will require an assessment of the ways the Iranian Government shuts down, censors, and weaponizes the internet. Then, it will commission an assessment of whether United States policy is currently best supporting the flow of communication tools to the Iranian people.

Finally, it will require the United States to develop strategies to counter Iran's online repression and prevent the Iranian regime from using tools of digital repression.

Iranians have struggled for decades against threats to their basic freedoms. The more the Iranian people have tools like real internet access, the better position they will be in to fight the repression of the Iranian regime. That is why Members on both sides of the aisle who care deeply about creating a better future for the Iranian people have supported and collaborated with me on this amendment.

Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Month and the enduring contributions made by the Acjachemen and Tongva people to our community. In Orange County, we are dedicated to supporting our indigenous neighbors, as they reclaim their history.

For generations, indigenous groups have fought against the pressure to assimilate. They have retained a strong connection with their cultures even when the Federal Government has failed to support them. Indigenous Peoples' Heritage Month is a celebration of their resilience.

We owe these communities recognition. In the past, I have held roundtables with Tribal leaders and chaired hearings to better understand how our current systems leave Native people behind.

I am proud to represent indigenous populations, to lift up their stories, and to celebrate how their perspectives make our communities stronger. I will continue to be a partner with indigenous leaders and will fight to get their communities the help that they need.

Standing Up for Veterans

Mr. Speaker, elected officials have a duty to stand up for veterans. I rise today not only to honor their sacrifices with my words but to reiterate a call for meaningful action.

Nearly 100,000 veterans call Orange County, California, home. They embody the resilience of our Nation. Yet, when they come home, they face institutions that systematically fail them. For those who have fought for our country, we must take care of them and their families. We must deliver the benefits that they are owed. We must address their invisible wounds by making it easier for them to get mental health care.

In Congress, I have proudly worked on improving military families' housing, strengthening the Veterans Crisis Line, and getting Orange County veterans answers and care from the VA.

On Veterans Day, we thank our troops for their service, and we recommit ourselves to getting them the help that they need.

Student Loan Forgiveness

Mr. Speaker, student debt holds back our entire economy and hurts all of us. Americans today, young and old, cannot start businesses or save for retirement because they are burdened by student loans.

I am glad the Biden-Harris administration is doing what it can to forgive student debt despite roadblocks from a corrupt Supreme Court. The administration's actions will extend relief to 125,000 Americans who can participate better in our economy, totaling $9 billion that will go back into our communities.

In the long term, we must have a comprehensive plan to prevent another student debt crisis from happening as we fix the current one. I founded the College Affordability Caucus to address these problems.

Debt-free higher education is one of the best investments that we can make to improve the lives of young people and strengthen our Nation's workforce for decades to come.

Standing Up for Trans Students

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight how anti- transgender campus policies hurt students' well-being.

In September, the Orange Unified School District became the sixth school district in California to adopt a forced outing policy. As young people are growing up, these harmful mandates expose students for something as simple as going by a different name

without considering whether they are safe at home.

More than half of transgender youth contemplate suicide due to a lack of support from their family or community. Schools should be places where students can focus on learning, free from fear.

As a single mom of three, I rely on public schools to help my kids mature into thoughtful and confident citizens, and I oppose misguided policies that endanger LGBTQ+ Americans.

I urge all California schools to stand up for trans students and protect the safety of queer youth.

Mr. Chair, I was unable to reach a voting station from my official meeting in the Capitol during the two-minute window. Had I been present, I would have voted ``no'' on rollcall No. 594.

Amendment No. 127 Offered by Mr. Roy

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Comer and Ranking Member Raskin for recognizing me.

I rise today in support of legislation that I partnered on with Congresswoman Mace to modernize hiring guidance for Federal cybersecurity security jobs. She and I both agree that government employees should be the best in the business. Taxpayers deserve nothing less from the people we employ.

How do we get the best of the best into our Federal jobs? Just like in any market, it all comes down to one thing: fostering competition.

For too long, overly restrictive Federal hiring guidance has stifled competition and prevented Federal agencies from being able to hire the best applicants for cybersecurity jobs if they don't meet all of the stringent educational requirements.

If who gets hired for our Federal jobs always comes down to just one credential, our government is going to miss out on some great employees.

No part of the Federal Government should disqualify an individual from winning the competition for a Federal job based on whether they have one type of educational credential. We are only going to figure out who is best to fill a role if we let all qualified candidates show us all their qualifications.

The truth is, there is not one type of educational experience that is always going to make a cybersecurity professional the best of the best. I am a former college professor, and I know that a lot of people will learn skills in their college degree programs that prepare them to be a Federal cybersecurity professional. At the same time, I also know that college isn't affordable and accessible for everyone, and the reality is that many people gain the skills necessary to succeed at Federal cybersecurity jobs through other life experiences.

The door must be open to both types of qualified candidates, and the Federal Government should then be able to pick who is most prepared to do the job based on a holistic view of the candidates.

The Modernizing the Acquisition of Cybersecurity Experts, MACE, Act stops the Federal Government from ruling out people without a specific educational credential. Instead, it lets all qualified applicants compete and gives the Federal Government more choices. This is something we should be able to agree on regardless of party.

This bill mirrors an executive order that was issued under President Trump and President Biden has chosen to keep it on the books today. It has worked under administrations of both parties, and now we need to make it permanent in our law.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my Democratic and Republican colleagues to support this bill. We can only have the best Federal cybersecurity professionals when we have had the chance to consider all of the qualified candidates, and the MACE Act will give us this chance.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on rollcall 512 today. Had I been present I would have voted nay on rollcall 512.

I was also unable to be present to cast my vote on rollcall 513 today. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 513.

Mr. Chair, I was unable to be present to cast my vote on Roll Call 461. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call 461.

Mr. Speaker, California's leadership on protecting public health and safeguarding our environment should be a national model.

When the Federal Government has failed to guarantee cleaner air to every Californian, our State government has acted to reduce harm.

When Washington, D.C., politicians were doing the bidding of Big Oil, California had the courage to curb pollution and improve air quality.

California's recent strengthening of emission standards will save $13 billion in healthcare costs and prevent more than 1,200 lives from being cut short. House Republicans' wrongheaded legislation would undo this progress and substitute their judgment for that of California's own representatives.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reject H.R. 1435 and instead work to provide cleaner air to every American.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate a foundational program that has delivered for older Americans and people with disabilities.

Since 1935, Social Security has lifted millions of families out of poverty. It has protected seniors' retirement, helped disabled Americans live with dignity, and provided a lifeline for families that have lost loved ones. Over 1 million Californians rely on Social Security.

We should build on that success, not dismantle a program that adds zero dollars to the Federal deficit.

I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act, which will safeguard this program for generations to come.

Workers pay into Social Security. They work hard and contribute to our economy. Congress has a duty to keep this Nation's promise and guarantee that Social Security will be there when workers and their families need help.

On the 88th anniversary of Social Security, let's recommit ourselves to fulfilling this responsibility.

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Anniversary

Mr. Speaker, August 5, 2023, marks the 60th anniversary of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, a milestone that shows our commitment to peace and safety.

The year before the treaty's signing, the world was closer to nuclear war than ever before. By halting most nuclear tests, this agreement cooled the arms race and demonstrated the power of diplomacy.

The anniversary of this treaty also serves as a solemn reminder that the United States has never taken responsibility for the harms of the 67 nuclear tests that we conducted in the Marshall Islands.

With world tensions heightening once again, the ideals put forth six decades ago in the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty remain just as important today. I have introduced bipartisan legislation to formally apologize for the harms we inflicted on the Marshallese people, and I will continue to demand action as a member of the House Indo-Pacific Task Force.

We owe it to our kids and grandkids to safeguard this planet for future generations.

Holding the FAA Accountable

Mr. Speaker, the Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for keeping Americans safe in the air and on the ground. It should be subject to rigorous and consistent oversight.

Our constituents deserve a Congress that does its job of holding the FAA accountable. Too often, the FAA takes months just to respond to congressional inquiries, much less fix these longstanding problems.

I am proud that the House adopted my bipartisan amendment requiring the head of the FAA to testify annually before Congress so that we can get answers about the Agency's successes and shortcomings. My amendment also strengthens the transparency on FAA's response time for congressional requests.

Holding Federal agencies accountable is not a partisan issue. Every American benefits from tough, consistent, and fair oversight. I urge the Senate to include this oversight amendment in its own FAA legislation.

Brain Imaging Helps Blast Exposure Victims

Mr. Speaker, our troops risk their lives to keep us safe. In training and during combat, they can develop health conditions that aren't immediately visible. To repay those who serve our country, we must do all we can to identify and treat these internal injuries and prevent them when possible.

In recent decades, we have seen a striking increase in troops with traumatic brain injuries due to blast exposure. I have worked with Democrats and Republicans to deliver help.

The House recently adopted a bipartisan amendment that I wrote to gather more data on how routine brain scans can contribute to the diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention of brain injuries.

At least one study has shown that regular brain imaging can accelerate patients getting the care they need and put them on the path to recovery. A more complete understanding of this technology will help us get our servicemembers the top-notch care they deserve.

Madam Speaker, beware when Washington says it is getting fiscally responsible. Too often that is code for cutting programs that families rely on while throwing more money at defense contractors.

This year, my Republican colleagues want most government programs to tighten their belts while defense spending increases without accountability. Nowhere is this more evident than the F-35 program.

The Department of Defense expects to spend $1.7 trillion over the life of the F-35 program, including the countless spare parts contractors are losing. In fact, since May 2018, under the watch of just one company, over 1 million parts have been lost, damaged, or destroyed.

I came to Washington to protect taxpayer dollars, not flush them into the Pentagon's black hole. As Congress considers the National Defense Authorization Act, I encourage my colleagues to join me in cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse.

Orange County Eviction Diversion Collaborative

Madam Speaker, higher inflation and housing costs harm us all, especially our most vulnerable neighbors who are on the brink of losing their homes. Low-income families are struggling to make do, falling behind on rent, and unable to find affordable housing.

One unexpected medical emergency or job layoff can be all it takes to doom a family into eviction. Evictions are not momentary inconveniences. They are long-term setbacks that make it harder to find a new home, driving families deeper into poverty. Single moms and women of color are disproportionately at risk of being evicted. Seventy-eight percent of Orange County households that are behind on rent are headed by females.

Thankfully, the Orange County Eviction Diversion Collaborative is stepping in to help. By advocating for rental assistance and landlord mediation services, they are saving tenants and families from the destabilizing damage of an eviction. As a single mom myself, I am grateful Orange County is looking out for women and children. Our community is stronger, healthier, and safer when we take care of one another.

Silicon Valley Bank Community Benefits Agreement

Madam Speaker, when banks make promises to the public, we should expect that they are upheld. Disappointingly, First Citizens Bank is falling short of this standard.

After purchasing Silicon Valley Bank's assets at a whopping $16.5 billion discount, First Citizens has been silent on whether it will uphold Silicon Valley Bank's promise to invest $9 billion in California's low-income communities. This investment promised to expand affordable housing, small business loans, and other needed services in underserved areas.

I led 15 of my California colleagues in a letter last month calling on First Citizens Bank to honor this commitment. They have not responded.

It is an injustice that communities of color and low-income households stand to lose out more from First Citizens' purchase than all of Silicon Valley Bank's billionaire depositors.

First Citizens has a responsibility to make sure that neighborhoods with the least financial resources are not left behind.

CalOptima Funding for Youth Mental Health

Madam Speaker, I rise to commend CalOptima Health's board of directors for approving up to $25.5 million in funding for behavioral healthcare for Orange County students.

All 29 Orange County school districts could use this funding to hire additional staff, enhance training and development, and develop new respite spaces for children in K-12 schools. This funding comes at such a crucial time.

Children's mental health has declined since the start of the pandemic. In California, young people between the ages of 14 and 18 are suffering the most. CalOptima Health and the Student Behavioral Health Incentive Program are doing important work by partnering with Hazel Health, Children's Hospital of Orange County, and Western Youth Services to improve behavioral health among our students.

Mental health care is healthcare, and I applaud Orange County for prioritizing the health and well-being of our children.

Mr. Speaker, in 2018, a State law required licensed childcare centers to test their water for lead every 5 years. Last month, we got the results and they are grim for California's children.

One in four California childcare centers has dangerously high levels of lead in their drinking water. Lead exposure seriously harms children's health, damaging their brains and nervous systems.

Frighteningly, children exposed to elevated levels of lead are often asymptomatic, but the damage is irreversible. Many of the worst facilities for lead levels are in low-income areas or communities of color.

Congress took a step in the right direction when we passed the bipartisan infrastructure law, which invested $15 billion to remove and replace lead service lines. But there is more work to be done.

Children are our future, and we owe it to every American to protect all kids' safety and well-being.

Honoring the Service of Randy Cammack

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate labor champion and proud Californian, Randy Cammack. This month, Randy will retire from his post as president of Teamsters Joint Council 42, where he fought alongside some 200,000 working members and retirees for 14 years.

Randy's time in organized labor began in 1967, when he started as a delivery driver in Los Angeles, California. From there, he went on to spend 42 years as a business agent, becoming a member of the Governor's freight advisory committee and serving as a vice president of the State labor federation.

Randy is also a proud U.S. Air Force veteran, and I join millions in thanking him for his service to our country.

I am honored to celebrate Randy on the House floor today and extend my deepest gratitude to him for his many years advocating for California's workers.

Innovation in Orange County, California

Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the innovation happening in Orange County and across California.

Last year, I was proud to celebrate NASA's successful Artemis I mission. Nearly a dozen businesses in my district played a direct role in suppling the necessary components to make Artemis I possible. With dozens of contributing businesses across Orange County, and over 500 companies employing 16,000 people statewide, California had more people working on Artemis than any other State.

Orange County has a storied history in the aerospace industry. It has been home to several of NASA's most critical partners for over 60 years, dating back to the Apollo missions.

I am proud that Orange County and California continue to advance science, strengthen our economy, and push the limits of what is possible.

Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Orange County leaders for their recent decision to establish an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. At our Board of Supervisors' April 25 meeting, they unanimously approved the establishment of this new office, which will provide resettlement resources in the form of housing assistance, language programs, legal support, and other vital services.

As Orange County welcomes immigrants and refugee families, we need to empower these new members of our community with what they need to thrive. The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs will fulfill this mission by strengthening outreach and building on successful partnerships with community organizations.

Honoring our diversity is a California value and an Orange County value. I look forward to the development of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and to new families calling our community home.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to be present to cast votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall 238, ``yea'' on rollcall 239, and ``yea'' on rollcall 240.