Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, we all feel horror, sadness, and anger as we learn more about the horrific shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and the police officers' lack of response.

I wondered, what were they afraid of? One part of the answer is clear: semiautomatic weapons.

For the sake of us all, we must pass the assault weapons ban, just as we did in 1994.

Let us remember, the ban was backed by three former Presidents: Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan. And it was supported by police leadership then as it is today.

Republicans in 1994 had the courage to stand up to the gun lobby, and yet Republicans in 2022 cannot find such courage. I don't know why. Instead, they blame DAs and mayors and really anyone but themselves, ourselves.

We are Members of Congress with the power to ban weapons that civilians are using to murder neighbors, strangers, children, and even police officers.

No more decapitated children.

No more slaughtered shoppers or parade goers.

Let us find the courage to act. Tikkun olam, as the Jewish tradition teaches. Let us repair the world.

Madam Speaker, Roe became law when I was 13. For my entire adult life, the right to abortion care--to privacy and the freedom to make my own family planning and healthcare decisions--was guaranteed in all 50 States. It sickens me that it is not the case today. My daughters-in-law, my

granddaughters, and all women and girls have been stripped of human rights and relegated to second-class citizens.

After a decades-long effort, Republicans have fixed the Supreme Court with a few Justices corruptly seated by an autocratic President, and they now behave not as constitutional lawyers but as theocrats.

In overturning Roe and sending a woman's reproductive freedom to State politicians--largely White, male--these Justices have decided their faith should determine everyone else's rights, not the Constitution.

This is a call to the Chamber, to this Chamber, to the Senate, to the administration. We must restore, expand, and protect rights. We must pass laws that combat this regressive, shrinking Court. No excuses.

That is why we are here, yet again, with legislation to codify the right to abortion care.

Last September, the House passed the Women's Health Protection Act, and the Senate sat on its hands. Today, we must pass it again.

I will return to the floor every session, with Representative Chu and many others, until we protect and expand rights. I ask my colleagues to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Raymond Jadczak, owner of PJ Auto Repair in Horsham, Pennsylvania, who is retiring on July 9.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of PJ Auto Repair, a family- owned business led by Ray and his son, Samuel Jadczak.

Born and raised in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and graduating from my alma mater, too, Abington High School in 1968, Raymond grew up in a mechanically-inclined household, often working on cars as a teenager with his late father, John.

After high school, he turned his passion into a lifelong career. At just 22, Ray opened an ARCO gas and repair service business. He was one of the youngest ARCO franchises in the Philadelphia region.

In 1982, Ray was recognized by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence as Mechanic of the Year.

For five decades, PJ Auto Repair has helped thousands, while creating jobs in our district.

As he prepares to hand off his business to his son, Sam, I rise to congratulate Raymond on a long and distinguished career of serving our community.

Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time.

Like many of you, I am struggling as we see day after day, night after night, more lives lost to gun violence in America.

On Sunday, a 15-year-old boy was killed and three other people shot in a mass shooting 15 minutes from where we stand right now.

On Monday, just after midnight, a 21-year-old college student was killed in a hail of gunfire that also wounded eight others in Harlem.

Last week, in the Judiciary Committee, I talked about the three young men who were killed and 11 wounded in the single biggest shooting in Philadelphia in 7 years. Are we safe anywhere in this country anymore?

Many of us are determined to fight for radical change to combat a dangerous obsession with guns and gun violence.

In the Judiciary Committee, we voted for extreme risk protection orders. Republicans in that committee voted ``no.'' We voted to raise the age for purchase of semiautomatics to 21. Republicans said ``no.'' We voted to safely store guns. Republicans said ``no.'' We voted to get rid of ghost guns. Republicans said ``no.'' We voted for background checks. Republicans said ``no.''

Now, today, we are trying to pass text alerts--alerts--for active shooters. I am thankful that this small measure has some bipartisan support.

Yet, some Republicans in Congress support guns so much that they will find a way to say ``no'' and hide behind the Second Amendment.

I am struggling, but determined, inspired by the overwhelming number of

Americans who are demanding action: Republicans, Democrats, gun owners, non-gun owners, independents. Demand action, not excuses.

This is a sad, yet important step. I thank the chairman for bringing it forward. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to wake up. Our children's lives are at stake every day.

Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, May 26, an explosion erupted in the tight-knit community of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, destroying two homes and, tragically, killing five people, a grandmother and four of her grandchildren, and also seriously injuring their parents.

Today, I want to remember Francine White, 67, and her grandchildren, Alana Wood, 13, Jeremiah White, 12, Nehemiah White, 10, Tristan White, 8.

It is hard to paint a picture with words of the devastation of a home, the people who lived there and dreamed in it, reduced to rubble, a family gone, suddenly.

Now, there is a deep hole in Hale Street, and a huge hole is left in the hearts of their neighbors. They have made a vigil on their block and spent countless hours trying to make sense of the tragedy.

Pottstown, I know you have always been a strong community. You are Pottstown Strong. Know that I will be with you, with your neighbors, as we figure out how this happened to be sure it never happens again.

My prayers are with the family and the entire community of Pottstown. May their memories be a blessing.

Madam Speaker, do we not hear the cries of the fourth grader in Uvalde who said, ``All of my friends are dead''?

Would you like to do something about gun slaughter in this country? Then join us.

One commonsense way we can do this is by passing my friend and colleague, Congresswoman McBath's, Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, red flag laws.

We know that in 46 percent of shootings, the attacker expressed interest in harming others. There was a cry for help, a warning. Someone knew that violence could erupt. Someone had the ability to intervene. We have a responsibility to intervene.

Representative McBath's bill would do just that, intervene when someone is a risk to themselves or others. We do not have to live this way. Fearful for our children at school, at movies, the grocery store, or the TLA on South Street in Philadelphia.

We do not have to live this way, and we don't want to: 79 percent of Americans support red flag laws and 67 percent of gun owners.

Stop sentencing our children to having to lament that all of their friends are dead.

Madam Speaker, it is said that a civilized society that can no longer feel outrage can no longer be civilized.

Ten people slaughtered in their grocery store. Nineteen children and two teachers massacred in their school, only to have parents who had dropped their children off in the morning wait in some horror line to offer DNA samples. At least 15 people murdered in mass shootings just this weekend, including in my home city, Philadelphia.

Outrage. We must feel the outrage. Do these tragedies from guns in the hands of bad actors sound like the well-regulated militia explicitly mentioned in the Second Amendment? Of course not. It is outrageous.

We want to save our children. We want to save our babies. We want to save our families, the elderly who live in constant fear.

Yet, did you hear, Madam Speaker, the argument on the other side of the aisle? A God-given right for an 18-year-old to slaughter children in a school? Enough is enough.

Mr. Speaker, our Nation has lost a lifelong leader and trailblazer--Madeleine Albright--a woman I had the chance to know and to learn from, and a woman with whom I shared a first name. Madeleine Albright was a woman of clarity, grace, intellect, and humor--a leader throughout the globe.

She was an example to many women, like me, becoming our Nation's first female Secretary of State and, at the time, the highest ranking woman ever in our government. Years ago, in admiration, I adopted one of Albright's subtle, yet powerful, diplomatic tools--wearing a brooch each day to signify something about my work or my heart.

As a child, Secretary Albright and her family fled war-torn Eastern Europe. Deeply inspired by her new country, she dedicated her life's work to lifting up democracies at home and around the world and strengthening NATO with the goal of preventing wars in Europe like the one that had forced her family from their home. Her passion for peace inspires my own, especially as I watch the devastating atrocities in Ukraine.

Dedicated to democracies around the globe, she often recalled her father's own worries that Americans took their own democracy for granted. Madeleine Albright knew that democracies are fragile, yet resilient, and that it matters what world we leave our grandchildren.

May her memory be a blessing and her legacy be a guide.

Mr. Speaker, Montgomery County, Philadelphia, and all of Pennsylvania mourn the tragic loss of two State troopers: Branden Sisca and Martin Mack, III; and a pedestrian, Mr. Reyes Rivera Oliveras, of Allentown. All three were killed by an alleged drunk driver on I-95 near Lincoln Financial Field on March 21.

I want to take a moment to remember State Troopers Branden Sisca and Martin Mack, and their extraordinary lives of service.

From an early age, they both had an incredible drive to serve and were examples of leadership. Branden Sisca, just 29, volunteered for the Trappe Fire Company from the age of 16 and rose to chief. He is survived by his wife, Brittany. They are expecting a baby girl in July.

Martin Mack, just 33, first served as a member of the National Guard. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Stephanie, and father to two daughters, Olivia and Rowan.

It is heartbreaking to lose such extraordinary men so tragically so young. I pray for their families. God bless them. May their memories be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, while preparing remarks, I considered showing much more graphic photos of Ukrainian children brutalized at the hands of Vladimir Putin. But then I thought of some of the people who might see this--refugees of war, war veterans who would be reminded of their own pain and suffering.

The truth is, for survivors who actually see the end to war, the trauma never recedes, it never leaves. The cost of war is simply too high.

I come to the floor tonight not as a Congresswoman, but as a mother and a grandmother. My heart breaks at these sights of horror of children lost or scarred forever.

Last night, my son sent me a photo of a child who is nearly the same age as his daughter, my granddaughter. On her back, her mother had written her name, her contact information, her birth date in case the mother was killed, or the daughter was left alone.

I cannot imagine that planning--the fear, the despair, the trauma.

No matter the war, we must think of the children in Syria, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Cameroon, anywhere on our planet.

I pray for peace for anyone suffering at the hands of a brutal dictator.

We must do everything we can to find a peaceful resolution.

``Slava Ukrani,'' ``Glory to Ukraine.'' ``Slava heroem,'' ``Glory to the heroes.''

Mr. Speaker, it has been 5 weeks since Vladimir Putin launched his assault on Ukraine and its people; a relentless churn of cruelty, of war crimes, crimes against humanity.

More than 4 million people have fled Ukraine, but tragically, not everyone has found refuge. More than 1,000 civilians have been murdered, and that number grows.

On Monday, there were more than 40 shellings by Russian troops in and around Kyiv, destroying homes, and in one case, killing a child in his own bed.

The children. There have been 145 children known dead, a likely horrifying undercount. Innocent children, unarmed civilians. The horror continues.

We must continue to support Ukraine and provide all necessary aid. We must not lose sight of the people.

Pennsylvania is home to more than 122,000 Ukrainians, the second most of any State, and my district is home to a dynamic Ukrainian-American community, many with family in Ukraine.

I think of them. I think of Ukraine every day. The world must stand united to end this series of war crimes.

``Glory to Ukraine.'' ``Slava Ukraini.''

``Glory to the heroes.'' ``Slava heroyam.''

Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Speier and Representative Marcy Kaptur. It is a solemn privilege to be with them tonight as we lift up the people of Ukraine, as we lift up the women and children of Ukraine on this International Women's Day.

It is a sad day. It is a solemn day around the globe, and I hope that the people of Ukraine know that we are heartbroken and determined alongside of them.

I will begin by saying, ``Slava Ukraini. Slava Heroyam,'' and recognize this International Women's Day.

I am the co-chair of the bipartisan Women's Caucus, and on behalf of that caucus, I stand here to lift up the people of Ukraine, in particular, the women and children in their suffering.

I want to say personally for me--I am speaking for no one in this case other than myself--I don't believe that we are actually witnessing a war here. I believe we are witnessing a series of war crimes; that we are witnessing a series, the world is witnessing a series of atrocities. There is no justification for this attack on the sovereign nation of Ukraine. These are war crimes, and they are Mr. Putin's alone.

I represent the Fourth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. It is Montgomery and Berks Counties, suburban Philadelphia, proud home, in both Jenkintown, Abington, and in Bridgeport and other areas of our community, to terrific Ukrainian-American members of my community.

I have known them for my entire time of public service: As a State representative for 6\1/2\ years and now in my

fourth year in Congress. I have always been proud to call them my community members, but sadly never so proud as I have been in the last 3, 4 weeks, as they prepared for this horror that we all hoped would not come.

Just a few days ago, I was with the Ukrainian organizations and volunteers at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center in Abington, many of whom still have close family and friends in Ukraine. And, in fact, the children there made me this beautiful headband; made for me and for many others. What was fascinating that day is everyone was coming together, community coming together--not just Ukrainian Americans, but others--to say we will not stand for the horror that is going on. The globe, the world will not stand for the atrocities, the murderous brutality of Mr. Putin on sovereign people.

One woman who started a donation drive was amazed. She went to U-Haul and bought 30 boxes, and she wondered if they would be able to fill those 30 boxes with donations of humanitarian food, medicines, blankets, clothing, and others. Well, I think there were about three container trucks later. The place was teeming with people, volunteers of all stripes, towering with boxes of donations and people furiously and very hopefully sorting those things. It was an amazing snapshot of what I already knew about the Ukrainian-American community. They are leaders in Montgomery County. They are leaders in this country. They are leaders we are watching and witnessing in this world. Their generosity and strength, their determination is extraordinary, and we cannot imagine the pain and suffering as they watch their homeland, they watch their family, their neighbors, their friends struggling with this set of atrocities.

No amount of warnings from the Biden administration and our intelligence could have prepared us for the sheer brutality and devastation we have seen. Mr. Putin expected that he would quickly topple Ukraine's young democracy. He was wrong, and he will be forever wrong, as we have watched in all the resilience and the heroism of the Ukrainians, especially President Zelensky.

Over the weekend, President Zelensky got on a call with Members of Congress, both House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats, hundreds of us. What a man of determination and dignity. I took notes. He said to us: We just want peace. We want to hold and kiss our children. We want to go to work. We want to sip coffee at our kitchen table. We want to be neighbors with the Russians.

What bravery. What dignity. And yet this war has brought on him and us a humanitarian crisis, with the number of people fleeing Ukraine already exceeding 2 million. But death, displacement, and destruction must not be forever. We must provide necessary aid, weapons, medicines, food, fuel, refuge in a bipartisan universal way. I know we all in Congress will continue to do all we can.

Ukrainians worldwide, please know we are here for you. You are welcome here. God bless Ukraine.

The U.N. has recorded 406 civilian casualty deaths. Sadly, I think it will be far more than that. An 18-month-old boy was killed in his home after he was shelled by Russian forces; 13 civilians killed in an air strike on the town of Makariv, their bodies recovered from the rubble; a 26-year-old woman killed while attempting to deliver supplies to a dog shelter in Buka; eight people killed during Russian shelling while trying to flee the town of Irpin--children, mothers, civilians; a preschool in northeastern Ukraine hit while civilians took shelter, killing three of them, including a child and wounding another.

These tragedies are inspiring a Nation and the many women in it, and I applaud the women of Ukraine fighting to keep their country free and the women of Russia protesting and speaking out against Mr. Putin, even at the risk of imprisonment and worse.

I think of Ukraine's Ambassador to the U.N., whom we have met with this past summer and this last week--what a tower of strength; and Julia, a teacher and volunteer who wept and said, ``I just want to live in our country, and that is all,'' as she waited to be deployed to fight Russian troops.

Putin will forever be a pariah. The globe recognizes him for the murderous, brutal dictator that he seeks to be.

Yet, I have hope. I have hope in the Ukrainian people and the globe that has recognized the horror that is this series of war crimes.

Representative Speier, thank you for heading this tonight. Slava Ukraini. Slava Heroyam. God bless Ukraine.

Madam Speaker, no amount of warnings from the Biden administration and our intelligence could have prepared us for the sheer brutality and devastation we have seen from Mr. Putin, who expected a quick toppling of Ukraine's young democracy. He was wrong.

We have watched in awe the resilience and heroism of the Ukrainians led by President Zelensky. But their bravery alone is not enough. We must meet their bravery with global support.

This is a war and a humanitarian crisis--families, children, forced to leave their homes in the carnage of war. The number of refugees fleeing Ukraine has already exceeded 1 million, and it is estimated that it will go as high as 5 million. But death, destruction, and displacement must not be forever.

Madam Speaker, I thank President Biden and his administration for their steadfast leadership in the West's support of Ukraine. Alongside the President, this Congress must continue to provide necessary weapons, medicines, food, fuel, and refuge.

Ukrainians worldwide, please know: We are here for you. You are welcome here.

God bless America. God bless Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, in an important moment of bipartisanship on Monday, this Chamber passed the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021.

Over 75 percent of Members voted to restore power to women, who far too often have been at the mercy of powerful men and even more powerful companies.

This bill is not simply about arbitration, but about ending forced arbitration.

According to the EEOC, one in four women have been sexually harassed at work.

For many, the fear of retaliation and being blackballed stops them from coming forward.

And the women who do find the courage to come forward can be challenged by the confidentiality clause so often tied to forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts.

This legislation will give sexual harassment and assault survivors the freedom to decide legal action.

This bill goes beyond recourse for the victim. It is about redress in a court of law, not in a closed arbitration room.

Because that is justice. I look forward to Senate passage.

Mr. Speaker, for decades we have heard elected officials rightfully decry the loss of American jobs, and then promise to bring them back.

And for generations Americans have waited for that promise. Here is the chance.

Since January 2000, the United States has lost over a quarter of all domestic manufacturing jobs. That means a decline of more than 4.7 million jobs in just two decades.

Real people have paid the consequences. I have seen it in my own district, suburban Philadelphia; in places like Pottstown, Boyertown, Norristown that have lost manufacturing jobs and opportunities.

The America COMPETES Act is a chance to revitalize these and other communities as well as to strengthen our national security. Here are some highlights:

$52 billion to maintain and expand our production of semiconductor chips right here at home, which run our cars, phones, computers, healthcare system;

$45 billion to improve our supply chains, with a special focus on producing more of our critical goods here; and

Investments in scientific research and innovation so that we are not only in this century but we are globally leading it.

This bipartisan legislation should be an easy ``yes'' for everyone in this Chamber and everyone in the Senate to pass. The America COMPETES Act is not a political win. It is a win for America.