Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the For the People Act, a bill that is critical to restoring elections as the heart of our democracy.

The For the People Act includes my bill, the Election Official Integrity Act, which would make it so election officials can't have a direct stake in the outcome of the election that they are overseeing. Just like it would be wrong to have a player referee a game, it is wrong for election officials to participate in Federal campaigns.

As a representative of the great State of Georgia, I know the impact of our elections, and they are too important and too valuable to the foundation of our democracy to risk even the appearance of impropriety. The Election Official Integrity Act is a commonsense step toward restoring the American people's confidence in our electoral process.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with me in supporting H.R. 1 and ensuring our Federal election officials work for the people.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the American Rescue Plan Act. This week, we hit another tragic milestone, and our Nation has now lost over half a million people to this virus. It is difficult to comprehend the sheer magnitude of those we have lost, but we cannot become numb to the sorrow so many now feel. Each person leaves behind their story of life, love, and humanity. Each human being leaves behind a family grieving the loss of a parent, a sibling, or a spouse.

This is why we must pass the American Rescue Plan, a bill that accelerated our ability to deliver lifesaving vaccines and put an end to this pandemic, a bill that invests in our schools allowing our children and teachers to safely return to in-person learning, and a bill that provides vital economic relief to American families who need our support.

Mr. Speaker, I urge our colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Madam Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, I rise today in honor of a trailblazer in Black history, Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens.

This past November, Sheriff Owens made history as the first African American to be elected sheriff in Cobb County, in my district.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Sheriff Owens has served over 30 years in the Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, and Cobb County Police Department. His career in law enforcement utilizes the leadership skills that he gained from his experience serving in our Armed Forces.

Sheriff Owens leads by putting people first, and I am so proud of the work he is doing to unite Cobb County and instill faith and trust in its police department. As one of his constituents and as a partner in service to Cobb County, it is my honor and privilege to recognize Sheriff Owens today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021.

We are still in the midst of our country's worst economic crisis in decades, and to better serve the American people, we must invest in a workforce, invest in the American Dream.

Registered apprenticeships prepare people for the jobs of the 21st century. They make our cities, our States, and our country stronger and far more competitive.

By supporting registered apprenticeship programs, we can ensure that my great State of Georgia remains the best State in the country in which to live and do business.

For decades, the Registered Apprenticeship Program has proven to be an entryway for many into the middle class, and the National Apprenticeship Act would inject much-needed funding to support a successful workforce program at a time when our Nation truly needs it the most.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend from Florida.

Mr. Speaker, in 2 weeks, I celebrate the birthday of my son, Jordan. Every year since he was murdered, his birthday brings joyful memories but profound sadness.

Mr. Speaker, 2 years ago, my pain on his birthday turned to horror and grief as I watched students in Parkland, children the same age as my son, run terrified out of their high school.

I watched parents read texts from their kids that said: Mom, if I don't make it back, thank you for everything that you have done for me.

I watched as 17 families realized that their lives are never going to be the same.

Mr. Speaker, throughout history, words have shown and have had the power to unite this Nation with unity and hope, or the power to divide with bigotry and hate. Words have an impact on everything that we do here in this Chamber, on this Hill, in this body. Every action that we take makes life better for the American people.

This today is about a Member's words and actions that are beneath this body, beneath the American people that we have sworn to protect.

This is about a Member stalking the children of tragedy, attacking survivors, and threatening violence. This is about a Member denying the existence of dead children at Sandy Hook Elementary and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. This moment is about parents across America who now celebrate their child's birthday just like me.

Madam Speaker, I rise with a heavy heart for what our Nation has endured.

All those who have incited an attack on these Halls of freedom must never forget that, in every generation, Americans of all colors and creeds have laid down their lives in the struggles against tyranny, the fight against fascism, and the defense against those who would betray the values upon which this Nation was founded.

It is our duty to shoulder that defense of our democracy here today. The President's actions have laid bare his contempt for our Constitution, and he must be removed.

Mr. Speaker, I came to Congress to make sure that no parent ever experienced the pain that I have. I came to Congress to fight for children who have practiced active shooter drills at the same time that they are simply learning how to read, for families who have lost loved ones to gun violence, and for communities that will never ever be the same.

Last Wednesday, Members of this body hid from insurrectionists behind barricades and locked doors. Staffers of this hallowed institution texted to their loved ones, ``They are banging on the doors outside. I love you.''

And citizens of this Nation watched in real time as rioters stormed the Capitol through shattered windows and broken glass. The result of the President's rhetoric has left five Americans dead.

Our response to anyone who seeks to overthrow the will of the people must be unwavering and resolute. I didn't come to Congress to do this. But President Trump's actions warrant his immediate removal from office.

Madam Speaker, today, I am proud to introduce the Relief for Defrauded Students Act. This bill would give students the opportunity for a quick and fair process for loan forgiveness against schools that defrauded them.

Borrowers defense is especially important to me after the closing of Argosy University's campus in my district this past March. The 1,500 students who were affected were left with incredible debts but no degree to show for it.

Students should focus on getting the quality education they were promised, not worrying about being saddled with large debts from schools that could not and did not deliver on their education promise.

I am proud to lead the Relief for Defrauded Students Act with my colleagues, Representatives Abby Finkenauer, Katie Porter, Cindy Axne, Mary Gay Scanlon, and Sharice Davids. Together, we will protect our students and hold these institutions accountable.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2722. Our elections are the foundation of our democracy, but they face increasing threats.

There is bipartisan agreement that we must do more to guard against these threats to our most fundamental democratic process. Our elections must allow us to truly hear the voices of every American voter.

My home State of Georgia has recently taken steps to safeguard its voting processes from cybersecurity threats, and this bill would provide necessary funding to support these efforts in Georgia and across our country.

This legislation will strengthen the partnership of the Election Assistance Commission, the Department of Homeland Security, and our State election officials.

Together, we must modernize our election infrastructure and ensure the security of our democracy.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical measure.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge action to end the public health crisis of gun violence.

Every day, nearly 100 people are killed in suicides, homicides, and accidents involving guns, but we have not invested nearly enough in preventing these deaths. Of the top 30 causes of death, 29 received more research funding than guns. But today, this body will vote to invest in gun violence research at the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health.

I recently visited the Centers for Disease Control Injury Center which is in my district. With this critical funding, they will learn how we can prevent gun tragedies. This investment is long overdue, and I was proud to lead my colleagues in asking for this funding.

We have the responsibility to pursue life-saving research, and today we vote to end gun violence.

As a survivor of gun violence, I could not be more proud of the measures that we have taken to save the countless numbers of lives that may be affected by gun violence in the future. The time has passed for my son. The time has passed for others like my son who was killed unnecessarily due to gun violence, but I am so grateful for this day.

I am so grateful for the funding for the research that will save many, many lives for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019.

This commonsense legislation will empower loved ones and members of law enforcement to prevent acts of gun violence. When people are in crisis and pose a threat to themselves or others, those closest to them are often the first to know.

Two-thirds of all gun deaths are suicides. Extreme risk protection laws can prevent these tragedies. These laws have the power to prevent mass shootings and intimate partner gun violence.

Fifteen States and the District of Columbia currently have extreme risk laws, and these laws have received bipartisan support.

It is our duty, as lawmakers, to ensure the safety of all Americans, and extreme risk laws are a powerful tool that should be available for every single community across our Nation. This is why we need the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act.

Nearly 100 people die every single day in America as a result of gun violence. Inaction is no longer an option. We have the power, the ability, and the responsibility to change our laws to save lives.

This legislation will empower Americans to prevent gun deaths. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation.

I am a victim of gun violence, and I have worked many long hours, days, months, and years working with and talking to the victims who suffer needlessly from unnecessary gun violence.

It is a tragedy for this body to continue to not pass legislation that would save lives. That is what we are brought here to do. That is who we are. For us to continue to turn a blind eye to the number of people who continue to die every single day due to unnecessary gun violence is unconscionable.

I urge my colleagues to stand on the right side of preserving democracy and making sure that everyone in this Nation has the ability to be able to live here without the fear of being gunned down. That is their right, to live in this country with the freedom from unnecessary gun violence.

For every day that passes by and every tragedy that we continue to have, when we turn a blind eye, we do a great disservice to the American people. On behalf of all victims, like myself, the victims of Virginia, and the victims that we continue to see every single day, if we do not stand up to protect them, then we are not standing for democracy.

Madam Speaker, I rise on this first legislative day of June to commemorate Gun Violence Awareness Month and to remember the 12 lives that were tragically cut short in Friday's mass shooting in Virginia Beach.

This month, we will be taking action and bringing attention to commonsense solutions to save the nearly 100 lives taken every day by tragic acts of gun violence.

At this time, I ask my colleagues to please join me in this moment of silence for all those who have been lost.

Madam Speaker, today I am introducing the Honoring American Veterans in Extreme Need, or HAVEN, Act, with my colleague Greg Steube of Florida.

Under current law, when a veteran files for bankruptcy, his or her disability benefits from the VA or DOD count as income that is subject to the reach of creditors; however, Social Security disability benefits are exempt.

The HAVEN Act would amend bankruptcy law to exclude disability benefit payments paid from the VA or DOD from that monthly income calculation, treating it the same as Social Security disability.

Our disabled veterans earned their benefits by serving our great Nation, and we must protect them and their families, especially during financial hardship.

I encourage my colleagues to support our Nation's veterans and cosponsor this bipartisan legislation.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise today in support of the Stronger Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

Children are our future teachers, doctors, police officers, and Members of Congress. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are able to live, learn, and grow in a safe environment.

My home State of Georgia ranked fifth in the Nation for the highest number of child abuse-related deaths in 2017 and third for calls to hotlines to report abuse.

I was proud to introduce an amendment in the Education and Labor Committee with my colleague, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Stefanik), that would establish a national child abuse hotline.

Stronger CAPTA is bipartisan legislation that will provide critical protections and resources to families and children across our Nation to prevent and end child abuse. Together, we can and we should ensure the safety of our Nation's children.

I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

Madam Speaker, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications, and this disparity persists across socioeconomic and educational levels.

I recently heard the story of a constituent in my district. Her name is Phiffer. After a failed emergency surgery, she was confined to bedrest 20 weeks into her pregnancy, but her doctor failed to address her mental health.

At 30 weeks, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. But for a year after, she struggled with mental health.

She said: ``I know my story is unremarkable.''

Unremarkable. Unremarkable because mothers are suffering in silence. Black mothers are suffering in silence daily.

I am proud to be a founding member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus because we need to address this crisis. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure that women like Phiffer receive the proper care that they need and deserve.