Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Coach Roger Williams and the Republican team on their victory in the Congressional Baseball Game. It is well-deserved.

I have to say I was very proud of how hard the Democrats worked this year. They spent the entire spring improving their batting, and it showed from the plate, even if it didn't show in the box score. Morgan McGarvey led and went 4 for 4, including a ground rule double that nearly cleared the fence. Dave Min added two RBI singles up the middle. Johnny O was hitting the ball well all night but got robbed by an absolutely outstanding catch from Senator Schmitt. Please don't let the other Chamber know I just congratulated a Senator.

As proud as I am of this team, I am even more proud of what we all accomplished together, Democrats and Republicans alike. I have always said that two things that bring people together are sports and music. After playing in this game for nearly 20 years and coaching the Democratic team for the last 3, I believe that now more than ever.

Despite our political differences, Republicans and Democrats came together to enjoy America's pastime, celebrate our Nation's 250th anniversary, and raise money for a good cause.

Together, we raised more than $3 million for D.C.-based charities and scholarships for area students, and that is something we all can be proud of.

Again, I congratulate Coach Williams and the entire Republican team. I am already looking forward to next year when Democrats have a chance to break your winning streak and reclaim that trophy.

Mr. Speaker, the Trump administration has been terrorizing our communities with ICE for nearly 2 years, and people are dying because of it.

We all watched in horror when two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis were shot and killed in the street in broad daylight, then more shootings happened in Maine and Texas. People were shot and killed who weren't even the target of the enforcement action. Everyone who claims to support civil liberties should be alarmed by these shootings.

These deaths are only part of this administration's cruelty. Since Trump took office, more than 50 people have died while in DHS custody, and that number is probably even higher. That rate is double the rate of previous years. The death toll keeps rising because this administration refuses to recognize the humanity of those in its custody.

I have traveled to the Adelanto ICE facility in California, which has been linked to at least two of those deaths. Detained immigrants there lacked basic necessities, like clean drinking water and medical care. It was so bad that a Federal judge had to order the Department of Homeland Security to provide the basic human necessities. That is how depraved this has become. This is what happens when an administration demonizes immigrants and treats them as though they are less than human.

Congress must say enough is enough, stop the mass deportation, and stop the mass detention. Everyone deserves dignity, and everyone, regardless of their immigration status, deserves basic care and the due process that is required by our Constitution.

Mr. Speaker, we must all raise our voices to tell this administration enough is enough.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution rejecting President Trump's illegal tariffs on Canada--our friend, our neighbor, and our ally.

The truth of the matter is that the arguments on the other side of the aisle are to distract. The vast majority of fentanyl that comes into the United States comes from China and comes in via boats in our ports of entry.

They want to distract to take away from the real issue, which is that the Constitution is very clear that the power to levy tariffs and regulate trade belongs to the Congress, not to the President. Yet, too many in this body are willing to give up that authority because President Trump demands blind loyalty from them.

The fact is, we already have a trade agreement with Canada. President Trump negotiated it, and this body ratified it. There is a lawful review process that goes into effect next year to find ways to improve it.

That is how responsible governments handle trade disputes, by following the law, not through weird social media tantrums about bridges and hockey trophies or through childish threats to annex a sovereign nation and make it the 51st State.

His daily barrage against Canada does not make him look tough. It is certainly not strategic. It is just reckless. Frankly, it is bizarre.

We are now seeing the consequences of allowing the President's unhinged behavior go unchecked. American families, small businesses, and farmers are paying the price for these endless trade wars.

Trump's tariff tantrums have cost households more than $1,600 a year in higher prices. Families in the United States are paying more for groceries, cars, housing, utilities, the basic necessities. What about the deaths from families that are struggling from food insecurity? Do those not matter?

It is pushing our allies closer to our adversaries. Last month, Canada announced it was lowering its 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Those tariffs were imposed in coordination with the United States during the leadership of the Biden administration.

That cooperation strengthened our position against China.

Now, because of this administration's chaotic trade policies, that progress is

unravelling. Rather than target the real bad actors, the President is picking fights with our friends. Instead of standing up for their constituents and defending Congress' constitutional authority over trade, most Republicans in this Chamber are surrendering it to the President choosing blind allegiance to him over the people that they are supposed to represent.

I commend the few Republicans who have the courage to break with the President and join with Democrats to force this vote. Reasserting our constitutional authority over trade should never have been a partisan issue.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. Let's restore sanity and stability to our American trade policy.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this Republican rule.

Republicans continue to give President Trump a free pass to damage our economy and punish our American families with his illegal tariffs.

The Constitution could not be clearer: Congress, not the White House, has the authority to impose tariffs. It does not belong to President Trump, no matter how many crazy rants he tweets out in the middle of the night.

Yet Republicans continue to fold like cheap lawn chairs by refusing to allow a vote on Trump's tariffs. Instead of standing up for their constituents, they are acting as a cut-and-paste for Trump.

Why? It is because they are more afraid of his retribution than they are concerned about the budgets of their families back home, families who are paying for Trump's endless trade wars.

According to the Joint Economic Committee, Trump's tariffs cost American households more than $1,600 last year--that is $1,600--and that will continue to rise if Congress doesn't take the keys away from Trump. Maybe that is pocket change for Trump and his billionaire buddies. Higher prices on groceries, cars, housing, utilities, and other basic necessities don't impact them.

However, working families, small businesses, and farmers are certainly feeling the pain of these trade wars. Trump's tariffs are increasing prices on everything for them, and Republicans are letting it happen on their watch.

My Republican colleagues have a choice. They can stop cowering to Trump and vote to strike down this rule because Americans want an end to Trump's trade wars.

Let's reclaim our constitutional authority and put an end to his abuse of tariffs once and for all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the many working families who rely on the ACA tax credits.

Speaker Johnson should have let us vote on this bill at the end of last year, but instead of bringing down the cost of healthcare, groceries, or housing, Republicans are focused on protecting President Trump while he invades foreign countries, builds golden ballrooms, and renames monuments to himself, all while families in my district watch their healthcare premiums double.

I will remind everyone: Republicans already kicked 15 million people off their healthcare to pay for tax cuts for billionaires.

I urge my Republican colleagues now to do the right thing and to vote on behalf of their constituents' interests. Vote to extend the ACA tax credits and lower costs for America's families.

Mr. Speaker, I missed votes due to personal illness. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 317, No on Roll Call No. 318, YEA on Roll Call No. 319, NAY on Roll Call No. 320, and YEA on Roll Call No. 321.

Mr. Speaker, first and foremost, I congratulate Coach Roger Williams and the Republican team on their victory in this year's Congressional Baseball Game.

I have to say that I was very proud of the hard work and dedication of the Democratic team. We came out, and we played hard. More importantly, we raised a record amount of money for local charities here in the Washington, D.C., area.

The Congressional Baseball Game is probably my favorite time of the year, not the least of which is because every morning I get to yell at 15 men and tell them what to do. It is also because we can put partisanship aside and play a good game for a good cause.

Together, we raised a whopping $2.8 million which will go toward sports scholarships, local girls' and boys' clubs, and other youth charities. That is something I think we can all be proud of.

Again, I congratulate Coach Williams and his team. I would say to my friend, we are coming for that trophy next year.

Mr. Speaker, I flew overnight through thunderstorms and flash flood warnings to be here to stand up for my district this morning because Republicans refuse to stand up for theirs.

I have been in Congress for over 20 years, and I have never seen such cowardice from my colleagues across the aisle. Time and time again, we see Republicans fold like cheap lawn chairs.

Senator Murkowski said it was a bad bill. Then why the hell would she vote for it?

I am here to stand up against a bill that kicks 17 million Americans off of their healthcare, a bill that cuts school lunches and food assistance to children who go to bed hungry every night, a bill that includes billions of dollars for ICE, an already bloated agency that has been upending due process and racially profiling people in my district for weeks.

Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues across the aisle, have you no decency? Have you no humanity? It is not too late to do what you know is right by your constituents and by your country. Vote ``no'' on this one, big, steaming pile of crap.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 100th birthday of Yoshio ``Yosh'' Nakamura, and to honor his service to our country as a Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Born in California in 1925, Yosh and his family were forced from their El Monte farm into the Gila River internment camp after the outbreak of World War II. Despite the violation of his rights, when Army recruiters arrived at the camp looking for volunteers in 1944, 18-year-old Yosh answered ``yes'' to serve.

As a member of the highly decorated all-Japanese-American 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Yosh served in the European Theater, participating in the assault on Mount Folgorito that led to further Allied victories in Italy. The 442nd became one of the most highly decorated units in U.S. military history. As Yosh said, ``We couldn't hide our ancestry. We had Japanese faces, but we had American hearts.''

After his discharge in 1946, Yosh used the GI Bill to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in fine art from USC and then dedicated his career to education. He taught art at Whittier High School and became the first professor hired by Rio Hondo College. Yosh and his late wife, Grace, became beloved members of the Whittier community.

I thank Mr. Nakamura for his service, and wish him a happy 100th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, the bill that we are debating this morning is an insult to every American who works for a living. American families are struggling. Under President Trump and Republican leadership, they have seen nothing but chaos.

Prices for everyday necessities, such as food, clothing, diapers, and formula, keep rising because of Trump's tariffs. Premiums for health insurance, car insurance, and housing are going up, making it harder to make ends meet.

Americans are worried about their future. People are afraid of losing their jobs, their healthcare, student aid, and food assistance. This bill brings that pain.

Almost 14 million people will lose their healthcare coverage under this Republican bill, and for what? It is so billionaires can get even richer while the rest of us drown in debt. This is outrageous. Republicans are doling out tax cuts for the wealthiest while destroying the means of survival for hardworking families.

This bill assaults those seeking the American Dream by stealing tax benefits and services from working people who are paying taxes. It would deny the child credit to 2 million children who live in the United States.

Here is an idea: How about you start working for the people who you represent, not your wealthy donors? I guess that is asking too much from people who have lost their moral compass.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Glenn Ivey for his wonderful work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our Nation's Federal workers. As a member of the Labor Caucus, I stand with the essential workers who provide critical services to the American public.

Make no mistake, we are seeing a direct attack on our democracy right now. Efforts to shut down Federal agencies are designed to erode our Nation's foundation. No one, not the President, not an unelected billionaire, has the right to singlehandedly dismantle Federal agencies created and funded by the Congress, yet that is exactly what is happening.

President Trump has surrendered control over to Elon Musk, allowing him to dismantle our institutions without any oversight. This is a blatant abuse of power, and it is happening on this Congress' watch.

They have attacked Federal workers, replacing skilled civil servants with political loyalists. They have targeted and smeared public employees who have served this country honorably, many for decades. They are even rejecting union contracts that were lawfully negotiated between the government and workers. This is union-busting, plain and simple.

As a former union member, I won't stand for that. These contracts are protected by law and cannot be changed

on a whim or, more likely, on a tantrum.

It gets worse. Elon Musk's DOGE has even infiltrated the Treasury Department. He and a bunch of twentysomethings now have access to the Federal payment system and the confidential data of almost every American.

Why on Earth do a bunch of kids who are not even legally old enough to rent a car need access to Americans' personal information and data? Why should they have their hands on our Social Security or Medicare payment or see whether we or a loved one has a disability or whether or not we received a tax refund?

This isn't just a violation of privacy. It is a breach of the trust of the American people who they put in government.

DOGE needs to be held accountable for its unlawful actions, and Democrats are and will continue to fight back. We are demanding hearings, investigations, and supporting lawsuits that seek to protect our constituents' very personal information.

We need the few Republicans in this body who care about the rule of law to join us in this fight. We need to defend Congress' constitutional authorities, the power of the purse, and oversight of the executive branch. We need Republicans to stand up for all Americans.

We want all Federal workers to please know that they are essential. America values them, needs them, and has their backs. When they are attacked, every American who depends on them is also attacked.

Mr. Speaker, I once again thank my colleague, Mr. Glenn Ivey, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Sam Moore, who passed away last week at the age of 89.

Sam Moore was a legendary soul singer whose voice became a cornerstone of the 1960's music scene. Born on October 12, 1935, in Miami, Florida, he rose to fame as one half of the iconic duo Sam & Dave.

Alongside his partner Dave Prater, Sam recorded unforgettable hits like ``Soul Man'' and ``Hold On, I'm Comin'.'' Bridging rhythm and blues, gospel, and soul, their songs are still celebrated today for their raw energy and emotional depth.

After parting ways with Dave in the 1970's, Sam pursued a successful solo career, continuing to influence generations of musicians. He earned multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

When Sam looked to retire, he learned that his record company had not been properly paying his royalties and that he had barely any money in his pension, leading Sam to become an advocate for artists' rights. It's through that advocacy that I had the pleasure of getting to know Sam and his lovely wife, Joyce.

Sam Moore's contributions to music have left a lasting imprint, influenced generations of artists and ensured his place as one of soul music's most celebrated figures. And his story reminds us of the importance of the arts in our society and the need to fairly compensate artists for their work.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize all of the residents of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas who have been affected by these disastrous wildfires.

My district is indeed lucky that we have not been directly affected, but our neighbors are hurting badly. Families have lost their livelihoods, their homes, and their communities.

I am proud to honor these organizations in my own district who have reached out a helping hand in these difficult times. Firefighters, small business owners, hotels, and social service workers from California's 38th District have volunteered their time and services to those in need.

I am honored to represent such a caring community. During tragedies like these, we truly see the best of humanity. I hope my colleagues on the other side of the aisle can learn from these folks in my district who are providing relief unconditionally to their friends and neighbors. Congress should do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate AltaMed Health Services Corporation on its 55th anniversary. As the nation's largest system of independent Federally Qualified Health Centers, AltaMed has been delivering quality health care and empowering communities for over half a century.

AltaMed was founded in 1969 as the East LA Barrio Free Clinic, a small volunteer-run clinic funded solely by grants and donations. Today, AltaMed is California's premier community health network, encompassing more than 60 service delivery sites throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and staffed by a culturally and linguistically competent workforce of more than 5,000 employees. It provides care to more than 500,000 individuals and their families through two million encounters annually, delivering the full continuum of services including pediatrics, comprehensive primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, dental care, behavioral health, youth services, HIV/AIDS services, and senior services through its operations as the largest Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in California. To this day, AltaMed is committed to providing quality care without exception and working to address health disparities in our communities.

In 1982, AltaMed began offering senior services by opening its first Adult Day Health Care Center in East Los Angeles, providing medical and rehabilitative care to older adults. In 1996, AltaMed made the transition to PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), a world-class managed-care program that uses a unique team-based approach to provide frail older adults with medical, social, nutritional, and rehabilitation services. This program makes it possible for those who meet nursing home eligibility requirements to remain at home, enjoying the comfort and reassurance of familiar surroundings while receiving the care they need. AltaMed currently serves over 3,000 older adults at 12 PACE locations in Los Angeles and Orange County.

With the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, more Americans are insured today than ever before--including the 20 million uninsured Americans who gained access to comprehensive health coverage. AltaMed led widespread efforts through its service delivery sites to enroll and provide resources to newly eligible individuals, becoming Covered California's top certified enrollment entity for several years in a row, and earning a grant through the state's Navigator Program.

AltaMed's commitment to addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to eighty percent of patient health outcomes and dedication to advancing social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is exemplified through its programming and service delivery approach. In 2017, it launched the AltaMed Institute for Health Equity which works to inform and support the elimination of health disparities that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities through innovation, education, research, and community engagement.

The following year, AltaMed launched a first-of-its-kind effort to make service sites serve as civic engagement hubs for patients and community. Through this civic engagement campaign, AltaMed supports local voter information, education, and mobilization efforts, provides community workshops on the citizenship process, and facilitates dialogue around public policy and advocacy.

AltaMed was also on the frontlines when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, and sprang into action. Early on, it established mobile testing and evaluation sites throughout its communities to ensure patients could continue to access care. In 2021, leveraging the experience and success of its My Vote. My Health campaign, AltaMed launched a public health vaccination campaign called eAndale! qQue Esperas? reaching more than 4.45 million Latinos in the state. By the end of that ten-month campaign effort, it had helped vaccinate over 130,000 people against COVID-19 leading a coalition of Community Health Centers throughout the state.

This is all to show how AltaMed has led the way to ensure their patients have access to culturally and linguistically concordant care while also addressing health care workforce challenges. In 2020, it welcomed the first cohort of AltaMed Family Medicine Residents to a new residency program. Two years later, it launched a licensed vocational nurse to registered nurse pathway program and other training programs, supporting over 160 nurses to advance their careers. And this year, AltaMed became the first clinic in Southern California to participate in the state's Licensed Physicians from Mexico Pilot Program (LPMPP), welcoming seven physicians who provide culturally and linguistically aligned care to Spanish speaking patients.

On November 8, 2024, AltaMed will commemorate its 55th anniversary. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating AltaMed on this historic milestone as an exceptional health care leader, advancing quality care for Latino, multi-ethnic, and underserved communities in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, and helping other Community Health Centers throughout the state scale up their efforts to address health disparities through transformational change.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8292, the Taxpayer Data Protection Act. I am proud to vote for this bill that will enhance criminal penalties for the unlawful disclosure of taxpayer information.

Under Section 6103 of the tax code, tax returns and return information are confidential and may only be disclosed by the Internal Revenue Service and its employees, agents, or contractors if an exception applies.

Any unauthorized disclosure of tax information is a felony punishable by a maximum fine of $5,000 or imprisonment up to 5 years or both.

This bill significantly increases the maximum penalty to $250,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 years. It also makes clear that each taxpayer disclosed is treated as a separate violation subject to the maximum penalty.

This bill responds to one of the largest leaks of taxpayer information in the history of the IRS. While working at the IRS, a former contractor, Charles Littlejohn, unlawfully accessed and stole confidential tax information of the former President and thousands of wealthy taxpayers and disclosed it to two news organizations, including ProPublica. These news organizations then published a series of articles using the confidential tax information they were provided.

Earlier this year, Mr. Littlejohn was sentenced to 5 years in Federal prison for unlawfully accessing and disclosing tax information, which is the maximum sentence under current law.

This bill would have provided the judge with the discretion to increase the sentence, given the massive leak of information.

As required by law, the IRS has notified nearly 70,000 taxpayers who were impacted by this unauthorized disclosure. We must do all that we can to prevent this from happening again. This bill will provide taxpayers additional confidence in the IRS that their information is safe and protected.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Taxpayers must have full confidence that the IRS will safeguard their data. As Members of Congress, we must strengthen our laws to ensure that every American's tax information is protected.

This bill increases the maximum penalty for unauthorized disclosure and will serve as a big deterrent for folks who may think about breaking the law.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' in support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.