Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the legacy of Catherine Willis, a woman who lived to help her community realize the dream of justice and equity, and whose legacy lives on in every neighborhood she touched.

She was a dedicated public servant, excelling in pushing East Orange forward in her roles as director of senior services and director of planning and economic development. Her work in education, housing, and civil rights reflected her belief that no one should be left behind. She stood up for those in our society who often fall through the cracks.

Ms. Willis didn't just serve the people. She empowered them. She reminded us all that the strength of a community lies in how it treats its most vulnerable.

Today, I ask this body to recognize not just her accomplishments but her enduring impact. May we remember her not only for what she did but for what she made possible.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me the time.

My colleague across the aisle, obviously, wants us to be ``sleep'' because that is the opposite of being woke. I guess my colleagues should introduce sleepy policies and be ``sleep'' at the job.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong opposition to the efforts to undermine American small businesses by the very agency tasked with fueling them.

Let me be clear. This is what H.R. 2931 would do. It would allow the Small Business Administration to gut punch the small businesses it is supposed to serve, just to punish cities that embrace their immigrant communities.

Targeting sanctuary cities, as this bill does, is beyond the scope of the SBA's duties. It flies in the face of what the SBA is supposed to do: lift up small businesses in communities across the country, no matter what city they are located in or what party they belong to.

Rather than driving economic growth, this legislation would strip essential resources from some of our Nation's most vibrant and diverse communities. This would hurt the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of businessowners. If the New York office were to close, the effects would spill over into my own community. The SBA office in Newark services over 800,000 small businesses in New Jersey alone. Cutting offices from these areas will stall growth and jeopardize jobs. It will displace employees and disrupt critical services that local businesses rely on. It will burden nearby offices and stretch resources very thin. It will make it harder for businessowners to get the help they need when they need it. Newark's office would be overwhelmed if the New York City office closes.

This bill weaponizes Federal resources to hurt cities that have made the choice to protect immigrant communities. This is unjust.

I have worked closely with my Democratic colleagues to raise these concerns directly with the SBA administrator through multiple letters, outreach, and even in the Small Business Committee yesterday. SBA's responses, if any, have been dismissive.

I stand firmly against using the SBA as a tool to penalize cities based on their immigration policies. I hope my colleagues will stand with me.

I urge Members to vote ``no'' on the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025 to protect the SBA's mission and vibrant economies for all of our cities.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1804, commonsense and bipartisan legislation, which I am proud to co-lead with my colleague, Congressman Meuser, to bring better oversight and real accountability to one of the Small Business Administration's most important loan programs, 7(a).

Mr. Speaker, small business owners aren't asking for easy. They are asking for a fair shake and a real shot. That is what the 7(a) loan program is supposed to do: help turn grit and a good idea into a successful business.

This program is the reason that someone with a solid plan or a good business but without a big investor or family money can still open up shop.

When small business owners step up with a vision, a diner on the corner, a new chapter for the family plumbing business, or a pet supply store, it is on the government to make sure the tools we have to support them actually work. Right now, they don't.

There hasn't been sufficient oversight of this program, and that means we haven't been doing all that we can to protect small business owners from fraud.

Over the last decade, there has been more than $335 million in documented loan agent fraud. That is why this bill matters.

It tackles this problem in two ways.

First, it creates accountability for loan agents by making sure that the people who connect businesses to resources don't operate in the dark.

Second, by requiring information on loan performance, default rates, and risk analysis, it gives Congress the data we need to do our jobs, making sure the 7(a) program works as intended, and protects small business owners.

It is on us to make sure that the programs we use to support small businesses actually work and work honestly.

Ensuring 7(a) loans work is important because the program is a lifeline. It is a way to make sure that when people go to apply for a loan, they are walking into a fair process, not a rigged one.

Whether it is the mom in Newark who wants to open up a store or the first-generation American in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, who wants to bring a taste of home to town, small businesses create good jobs. They give back. They reinvest, and they show us what is possible in our communities.

H.R. 1804, our 7(a) Loan Agent Oversight Act, is a smart, targeted fix and will help make sure that small business owners' dreams stay attainable.

Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank my colleague for co-leading this bill with me, and I also thank our ranking member and our chairman for their support. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the legacy of Sharpe James, the former mayor of Newark, the largest city in New Jersey and my hometown.

Through his life of leadership, Mayor James transformed Newark's skyline and spirit. He was a proud son of the city, bold, unflinching, and committed to its renaissance. From his time as a State senator to his tenure as mayor, he never stopped fighting for Newark's future. Sharpe believed in Newark when few others did, and he worked every day to lift it higher.

Today, I ask this body to recognize not just his accomplishments but his enduring impact and mind for service. His story is part of Newark's DNA, woven into its past, present, and future.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on an issue that has devastated families and communities across this country: gun violence.

For years, gun violence has been an unchecked epidemic. In the Black community, the toll has been heartbreaking and more deadly. Still, very little meaningful action has been taken to stop the hurt.

Our communities continue to be ravaged, while too many remain silent. We cannot continue to treat this as normal. There is nothing normal about burying children. There is nothing normal about the weapons that turn schools, churches, and neighborhoods into battlegrounds. I am here for the next generation to say: They deserve better than this.

They deserve a future where they never have to say enough is enough because we will have already done what is necessary.

I, along with my CBC colleagues, will not stay silent. We will continue to demand comprehensive gun reform, background checks, closing loopholes, and a ban on assault weapons because our lives and our children's lives depend on it.

The time for reform is now. Let's do what is right. Let's do what is just. Let's do what is necessary before another name is added to another list.

Mr. Speaker, ``I probably wouldn't be alive because I wouldn't have been able to afford [my] medicine.'' That is what Dominique from East Orange, New Jersey, said about Medicaid.

Dominique is one of the 100,000 Americans who lives with the sickle cell disease, and she is one of the millions of Americans who would be devastated by Republicans gutting Medicaid.

We need to understand that the suffering they are going to create has a face, and it is Dominique's.

When she was just 6 years old, Dominique was diagnosed with sickle cell disease. That is also when her aunt enrolled her in Medicaid.

Medicaid didn't mean that life was easy--Dominique spent much of her time in hospitals and visiting doctors--but it made life possible.

With Medicaid, she is able to see a hematologist regularly, receive the appropriate equipment and medications to make living at home possible, seek mental health care due to the toll of living with this disease, and receive treatment for any potential emergencies.

Dominique gets to live knowing the care she deserves is within her reach, in her own words, thanks to Medicaid.

Mr. Speaker, I rise and stand here today not as a politician, but as a daughter, a mother, and a product of public schools. I am here because I know what education can do, what it did for me, what it has done for millions of children across this country, and I cannot sit quietly as one of the cornerstones of our democracy is chipped away.

What we are witnessing with the dismantling of the Department of Education isn't just a bureaucratic decision. It is dangerous. It is a decision that tells every child in this country that their future doesn't matter, that their dreams are negotiable, that their ZIP Code should determine the quality of their education.

Let me be clear, that is not just wrong, it is vicious because when we give up on our schools, we give up on our communities. When we defund education, we are defunding hope. We are telling a little girl in the south ward of Newark, a little boy in the Borough of Roselle, or a student living in Jersey City that their potential has limits, that they weren't meant to retire.

However, I know better, because I have seen what happens when we invest in our kids. I have seen how a great teacher can change the course of a life. I have seen how a Pell grant can lift up a family. I have seen young people go from classrooms with broken chairs to boardrooms and executive suites because someone believed in them.

I have often said that education is the one thing no one can take away from you, but right now Trump and his billionaire buddies are trying to take away the very structure that ensures our kids get that education in the first place.

It isn't about politics. This is about values. This is about who we are as a country. Do we invest in the next generation or do we abandon them? We are better than this. Our children deserve better than this.

I cosponsored H.R. 433, the Department of Education Protection Act, to prohibit the use of congressional appropriated funds for any reorganization or dismantling of the Department of Education. I urge my colleagues across the aisle in this room to fight for our schools, fight for our teachers, fight for every child who dares to dream beyond their circumstances because they are watching, and they are counting on us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Sahli Negassi, a NJ-10 student at West Orange high school who received a perfect score on the SAT this year. Less than 1 percent of SAT test-takers earn a perfect score each year, and Sahli's accomplishment is nothing short of extraordinary. His SAT preparation was largely self-directed, relying on free resources, and using his time and determination to study for the exam. Beyond

academics, he is deeply involved in extracurricular activities at West Orange High School. He has been a dedicated member of the cross-country and track teams since seventh grade and spent two seasons on the color guard. Sahli is also the president of the math team, chapter president of the National Honor Society, a varsity chess team member and part of the Royal Strings ensemble. His involvement in multiple activities and honor societies speaks to his well-rounded excellence. After graduating high school, he hopes to attend Harvard and study law. Any school would be lucky to have such a bright young mind.

What an incredible accomplishment and a shining example of New Jersey excellence. I Congratulate Sahli. He makes New Jersey proud.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the New Jersey-10 winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge.

Aman, Alexa, Charlie, and Gabriel teamed up to make Tailored Trivia. The app allows users to create customized trivia games that make studying and memorization more interactive. This tool lets students test SAT vocabulary words, learn phrases in new languages, and quiz their classmates.

In creating this app, Aman, Alexa, Charlie, and Gabriel also grew their skills in coding, design, and teamwork.

I am so proud of their hard work, dedication, and contributions to New Jersey, and I am excited to see what they will accomplish next.

Celebrating Sahli Negassi

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Sahli, a New Jersey-10 student at West Orange High School who received a perfect score on the SAT this year.

Less than 1 percent of SAT test takers earn a perfect score each year, and Sahli's accomplishment is nothing short of extraordinary. His SAT preparation was largely self-directed, relying on free resources and using his time and determination to study for the exam.

Beyond academics, he is deeply involved in extracurricular activities at West Orange High School. He has been a dedicated member of the cross-country and track teams since seventh grade and spent two seasons on the color guard.

Sahli is also the president of the math team, chapter president of the National Honor Society, a varsity chess team member, and part of the Royal Strings Ensemble. His involvement in multiple activities and honor societies speaks to his well-rounded excellence.

After graduating high school, Sahli hopes to attend Harvard and study law. Any school would be lucky to have such a bright young mind. What an incredible accomplishment and a shining example of New Jersey's excellence. I congratulate Sahli. He makes New Jersey proud.

Mr. Speaker, small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. COVID-19 shuttered the doors of many beloved local businesses, and many more are still continuing on a path of financial recovery. Now, with sky-high prices and rising inflation, small businesses need our support more than ever.

Today, I join Representative Chu to reintroduce the Investing in Main Street Act of 2025 to increase access to capital for small businesses who need it. This bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 by increasing the amount that certain banks and savings associations may invest in small business investment companies from 5 percent to 15 percent.

As the ranking member on the Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, I know firsthand the challenges businessowners face. Small businesses contribute so much to our communities. In fact, they make up over 40 percent of our Nation's GDP, and it is time we give back to our hardworking businessowners.

These additional investments will create more jobs, allow existing businesses to expand and thrive, and reduce barriers to entry for small businesses looking to get off the ground. I am grateful to Representative Chu for leading the charge on this essential improvement to SBIC funding, and I am proud to co-lead this crucial bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Williams and my ranking member, Representative Velazquez. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Bynum and Figures for organizing this Special Order hour.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Black History Month and the profound and vibrant legacy of the many Black Americans who have made our country.

Black history is a living, breathing narrative that enriches our Nation and influences our daily lives. It is a powerful testament to resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of justice.

We think about those who came before us and fought for freedom, trailblazers like Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, whose voices paved the way.

As only the second Black woman ever elected to Congress to represent New Jersey, I stand on the shoulders of giants, including my colleague, mentor, and friend, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman. We both are here because of the path that leaders like Shirley Chisholm blazed before us.

With the highest ever membership to the Congressional Black Caucus, 62 members strong, we have never been stronger. We represent the dreams of our ancestors, and those dreams are in danger by this administration's hateful policies that hurt Black people nationwide.

Our hard-fought progress is threatened by the racist agenda pushed forward by this administration, but we will not back down. In the words of the late, great John Lewis: ``We have been too quiet for too long. There comes a time when you have to say something. You have to make a little noise. You have to move your feet. This is the time.''

Together, we must make a little noise and create good trouble to protect the progress we have fought so hard for. Together, we can ensure that the stories and contributions of our community continue to inspire and uplift future generations.

Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the incredible voices and stories captured in ``We Were Strangers Once, Too.'' This is a powerful memoir retelling the immigrant journeys and stories of students from my district.

I had the opportunity to meet these young authors and witness them share vulnerable and deeply personal experiences. Their stories highlighted the difficult reality for many migrants who leave their home country in pursuit of a better life.

These stories highlight something else: Hope--hope for a brighter future and hope rooted in the belief that, no matter where we come from, we all deserve dignity, safety, and happiness.

As immigrants are othered by divisive policies, stories like these bring us closer together and show our shared humanity is stronger than what tries to divide us. They serve as a reminder, as President Obama once said: ``We were strangers once, too.''

I commend the bravery of the student authors sharing these truths and the work of their editor, Shawn Adler, who is here with us in the gallery today. Thank you for sharing your voices with the world.

Honoring Inez Rosalie Alick Elliot's 108th Birthday

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Inez Rosalie Alick Elliot, who just celebrated her 108th birthday. Known as Rose to family and friends, she celebrated her 108th birthday on January 20.

Faith has always been a cornerstone for Rose's life. A long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in East Orange, Rose embodies the spirit of service and dedication. Her commitment to our community has been recognized with numerous accolades.

She was honored with the Essex County Legends Award for her contributions and work improving the lives of fellow seniors. Known for her grace, laughter, and wisdom, she remains a positive role model for all of us. She is a beacon of inspiration, reminding us all that faith, service, and laughter are the keys to a long, fulfilling life. Happy birthday, Rose.

Making SNAP More Accessible

Madam Speaker, I introduced the SNAP Benefits Fairness Act in the U.S. House with Representative Shontel Brown to remove the housing cap on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and make SNAP benefits more accessible to those who need them.

Madam Speaker, the cost of housing is taking up more and more of Americans' paychecks, and SNAP benefits are not keeping up. It is time to bring SNAP up to speed and create opportunities for working families to use essential programs like SNAP that reduce poverty and help them make ends meet.

By getting rid of the shelter cap, this bill ensures working families who are spending too much on rent and utilities get the benefits they deserve without being punished by high housing costs.

I am grateful to Representative Brown for joining me on this legislation that will help ease the burden on families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to announce that on Friday I was proud to introduce the Amputation Reduction and Compassion, or ARC, Act to help combat preventable amputations brought on by peripheral artery disease, also known as PAD.

The ARC Act will save lives and reduce amputations by ensuring high- risk Medicare and Medicaid recipients have access to PAD screenings at no additional cost. Lowering costs will allow for better screening, earlier detection and treatment, and remove cost-prohibitive barriers to care.

This bill is very special to me, as it was first introduced by my predecessor, the late Representative Donald Payne, Jr. I am honored to ensure his work for better, more accessible care and his legacy are carried on with the ARC Act.

With the co-leadership of Representatives Jonathan Jackson and Robin Kelly, I am proud to introduce the ARC Act to save limbs, reduce patient costs, and save lives.

Every Kid is at Risk

Mr. Speaker, I rise to object to the dangerous bill, H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025, better known as the child predator empowerment act.

As the mom of an 8-year-old little girl who loves sports, who loves soccer, this bill is invasive to young girls but also dangerous to every kid. It puts every kid at risk. Every kid is at risk under this bill. I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1765, a bill originally introduced by Representative Donald Payne, Jr., of New Jersey, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1361, a bill originally introduced by Representative Donald Payne, Jr., of New Jersey, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.