Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6249) to provide for a review and report on the assistance and resources that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides to individuals with disabilities and the families of such individuals that are impacted by major disasters, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 6249.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 6249, the Think Differently About Emergencies Act.

This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to submit a report to Congress that outlines the assistance and resources available to those with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities and further directs the Government Accountability Office to review available assistance to help identify gaps.

As March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, it is appropriate that Congress moves this bill and works to ensure gaps in responding to emergencies are addressed.

Disasters, as we know, are difficult for everyone, but they are especially challenging for those individuals with disabilities and those who care for them. It is important that we understand what resources are available and how we can best help those who may have limited ability to respond on their own.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, with no further speakers I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would again like to highlight the importance of ensuring the needs of individuals with developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities are considered during disasters and how FEMA can work to assist those disaster victims.

I also want to thank the other co-sponsors of this legislation--this bipartisan legislation--including the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Ranking Member Titus for working with me on this issue.

I further extend my appreciation to my colleagues across the aisle in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their support. I would like to extend my thanks to Chairman Sam Graves for his support, as well.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1278) to designate the Federal building located at 985 Michigan Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, as the ``Rosa Parks Federal Building'', and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on S. 1278.

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

This bill honors Rosa Parks, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, by naming the Federal building located at 985 Michigan Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, in her honor.

Of course, we know that Rosa Parks is best known for inspiring the Montgomery bus boycott when she refused to move from the front to the back of the bus.

Her courageous work fighting against discrimination and segregation makes it fitting that we honor Rosa Parks by naming this Federal building after her.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, with no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

In closing, this is an appropriate piece of legislation to recognize the late Rosa Parks by naming this particular Federal building after her. This is among just one of the ways we can acknowledge the important work Ms. Parks did to better our Nation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1858) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to establish a deadline for applying for disaster unemployment assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on S. 1858.

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

Mr. Speaker, S. 1858 would align the application deadlines for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's individual assistance and disaster unemployment assistance.

Currently, disaster victims are faced with two different deadlines for their applications, which creates confusion during what is already a stressful time.

This bill simply aligns and ensures identical deadlines to reduce burdens

and help disaster victims in their application process for assistance.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this bill will help to reduce confusion for disaster victims by aligning the deadlines for certain types of assistance.

This bill makes a simple adjustment that will ultimately ease the process by which disaster victims seek assistance, relieving a burden during a difficult period of recovery.

Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Graves for yielding. I rise in support of H.R. 1752, the Eliminating Barriers for Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility Act, or E-BRIDGE.

This bill will help to attract and support businesses in rural areas of the country by eliminating barriers to investment in broadband projects and provide these projects with the flexibility needed to be successful.

We all know that access to reliable internet is essential for small businesses, families, and farms, along with schools. It touches all aspects of residential and commercial life.

Yet, too many families and businesses don't have access to high-speed internet, so it is imperative that we work to bridge the digital divide and ensure communities across America, like those in upstate New, York do not get left behind in funding opportunities for broadband expansion.

Without adequate broadband infrastructure, rural communities like those I represent face obstacles in education, healthcare, economic development, and overall social well-being.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. I am grateful to the chairman and the bipartisan support of the bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a very special guest joining me in D.C. here in the House gallery today, Mr. Steve Sutton, a retired social studies teacher from Red Hook, New York.

He is not just any teacher. He was, in fact, my teacher and the man responsible for my desire to enter into public service.

Mr. Sutton's passion for government inspired me to get involved, leading me to student council, mock trial, and the Presidential Classroom program here in Washington.

Later, I served as the youngest mayor in America, State assemblyman, county executive, and now a Member of Congress.

One of the proudest moments for me was calling Mr. Sutton on election night to tell him that I would be serving here in Congress, the same institution we studied in his classroom.

Now, not everyone will pursue a career in public service, but everyone is capable of achieving their version of success, and that is why teachers like Steve Sutton matter. They push us, through our unique talents, to achieve our dreams.

Mr. Sutton helped me realize my life's calling to make a difference.

To you, Mr. Steve Sutton, and all the teachers like you nationwide, we are so very grateful.

Mr. Speaker, Laken Riley's future was taken away from her and she from her family because an illegal immigrant in the State of New York was arrested and released, my home State.

My colleague across the aisle knows this full well. Because of policies put in place by this administration, embraced by governors like Kathy Hochul in States like New York, we have surrendered our southern border and made our communities less safe.

It is important to move on this piece of legislation, and I encourage my colleagues to support the Laken Riley Act, but I also ask my colleagues, especially those from New York, to take serious the challenge that has been made worse and communities less safe because of cashless bail, catch and release, and sanctuary city policies in the State of New York.

I ask them to join me in calling on Governor Kathy Hochul--instead of talking about it--to take action to rescind cashless bail, reform catch and release, and end sanctuary city policies to make safe the people and communities in the State of New York.

Mr. Speaker, imagine spending so much time and so much energy and so much air opposing that which one actually supports. I have sat here for a few moments, and I have listened to my colleague across the aisle suggest they didn't break it and therefore they should be under no obligation to fix it; that for years they have been trying to remedy this problem, but it is the other side of the aisle's fault and therefore we won't take this next step forward. Imagine that is your argument.

I wasn't here when the SALT cap was established. I opposed it in local government, mostly because I know that middle-class families in upstate New York are being--I will use the language; pardon me--screwed by decisions of State government, decisions out of their control.

Let's talk about what this bill does. This is a very simple effort to ensure tax fairness for working families. Last week, the House came together and recognized commonsense tax relief is a shared priority between both parties. I was proud to support the bipartisan bill that helped parents and small businesses weather rising costs, but we left low-hanging fruit on the table, a simple incremental success. Right now, married couples are unfairly and arbitrarily punished with the SALT deduction in a way that matches almost no other facet of the tax code.

Let's make one thing clear. We are not talking about the wealthiest of New Yorkers that are being impacted here. I am talking about families and parents in towns and communities like Vestal, Dryden, and Hudson, upstate communities that most don't know, but they struggle every day, they are barely getting by because they are being slammed by property taxes and State taxes. These are not individuals who choose to be overtaxed. They were forced to by Democrats and one-party rule in the State of New York.

These folks are struggling every day to make ends meet, and they are having many difficult choices to make between childcare, groceries, and their mortgage all because they get taxed twice on their incomes. This bill doesn't solve the entire problem, and my colleague knows it. This bill doesn't undo the damage that we both agree existed.

Nonetheless, my colleague is faced with one important question: Will they support an effort to undo this one piece of unfairness?

Double the SALT cap for married couples, eliminate the arbitrary marriage penalty, and free up working families' budgets to invest in their kids and their local economies. This isn't about what happened then, and it is not about who broke it. It is whether or not we can find, as we did last week, the commonality to begin to fix it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share the story of Omer Neutra, a Binghamton University student.

Omer is 22 years old. Omer's friends and family describe him as a true American kid whose fun-loving personality shines the brightest when he is cheering on his favorite team, the New York Knicks.

On October 7, Omer was one of more than 240 men, women, and children who were brutally kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. He and 133 hostages are still held captive today, enduring unthinkable torture and trauma.

I join my colleagues in demanding that Hamas release Omer immediately, along with the remaining hostages. Those who have been released have shared horror stories of sexual abuse, children being forced to take drugs, and inhumane and barbaric conditions.

I continue to stand with Israel as it works to eradicate Hamas and free the innocent people wrongfully held by this terrorist group. It is time to bring Omer home. It is time to bring them all home.

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

Mr. Chair, I begin first by expressing my support for the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act and my appreciation to the leadership of Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers.

This bill seeks to address a longstanding concern for the disability community, a community that I have spent the better part of the last 20 years working in and among. It bans the use of quality-adjusted life years, QALYs, measures from being used in Federal healthcare programs.

As we know, QALY measures have devalued the lives of disabled and chronically ill patients when it comes to deciding if a certain treatment is cost effective, putting a dollar sign on their lives and barriers to accessing proper treatment.

You heard a moment ago my colleague across the aisle refer to the bill in chief as dangerous. As the parent of a child living with epilepsy and on the autism spectrum, I can tell you what is dangerous is the way in which the healthcare system too often treats children and adults like her. It is neither progressive nor compassionate to put a dollar sign on the lives of those who need such life-affirming care.

The use of QALYs has put those with chronic illnesses and disabilities, like epilepsy, ALS, and Down syndrome, at the back of the line for treatment, too often denying them access and creating barriers to the support they need. It undermines our commitment to life- affirming care for our most vulnerable. No matter how it is expressed, no matter how it is denied, this practice devalues the lives of American citizens and loved ones like my own child.

My amendment seeks to provide additional oversight into the negative impact QALYs have on those with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.

The amendment is simple. It directs the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress to thoroughly assess the damage QALYs have on our IDD community and how this measure adversely affects their access to lifesaving treatments and medical care. It is simple and meant to provide additional oversight.

As noted, as the father of four children, one who lives on the autism spectrum with a seizure disorder, and a staunch advocate for our disability community, I again applaud Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers' work on crafting the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act to ensure our most vulnerable populations have access to the medical treatments and services to manage their conditions and lead longer, healthier, and freer lives.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I appreciate my colleague's support of the amendment. I will close with addressing the ``yes, but'' argument.

Those who live with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities and those who love them are quite familiar with the ``yes, but'' argument. Yes, we care about you, but others face struggles, too. Yes, we want you to have access, but others may have obstacles, too. Yes, we care about your lives, but we care about others more.

That is the basis of the argument against this bill, ``yes, but.'' My daughter has heard it every day of her life. I have experienced it every day. Yes, we hope to educate her, but we don't have time for it. Yes, we want to give you access to vaccines and care, but you are not our priority. Yes, during COVID we wanted to ensure every life was protected, but we didn't have the time to work it out for you.

This bill is not perfect. The chairwoman doesn't expect it to be, nor do I. QALYs devalue the lives of Americans who have far too many obstacles in their place.

My argument in response to the argument against this bill is ``yes, but.'' Yes, kids like mine deserve access to quality care; yes, those with disabilities deserve to have life-affirming services; and, yes, those with disabilities face far too many obstacles to living and pursuing a life of happiness; but we can take this one step.

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

Mr. Speaker, I missed the votes because of travel complications. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on Roll Call No. 32, and YEA on Roll Call No. 33.

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

Mr. Chairman, the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act is an important measure meant to impose criminal penalties and deportation against those who flee the U.S. Border Patrol officers in a vehicle.

The bill also seeks to ensure that individuals who do so are not able to apply for legal immigration status going forward.

My amendment ensures Congress and the public are fully aware, extending greater transparency, of the extent of these crimes that are being committed.

Specifically, my amendment requires a report to Congress from the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security on the number of individuals who are charged with fleeing Border Patrol, those caught but not charged, and those who have committed the crime but are not caught.

Now, of course, none of this and this amendment would be necessary at all were the President to take appropriate action to secure our border. Nonetheless, his failure to do so has led us to the necessity to continue to impose new restrictions to ensure that our border is secure.

The public deserves to know the true extent of how open our borders are. Any time an individual starts to flee from law enforcement in a vehicle, they not only put the lives of other Americans at risk but they risk the lives of law enforcement and even their own lives.

So, Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to adopt this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I welcome my colleagues' support of the amendment. I also would just reinforce that greater transparency is always appropriate and necessary. I, of course, again reiterate that should the President take appropriate action which exists under the current law, we could, in fact, avoid these kinds of crimes from being committed.

Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, President Biden and the Biden administration have surrendered the southern border, and the policies of this administration continue to make worse a national security crisis, a public safety crisis, and a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions.

Earlier this month, I joined my colleagues visiting, again, the southern border and saw firsthand that despite the heroic work of Border Patrol officers and despite every effort of the men and women serving in this Nation, we have seen a total collapse in our border security system.

There is unfettered fentanyl trafficking, a record 7 million illegal crossings, and strained communities and law enforcement throughout our Southern States.

This crisis, though, isn't isolated only to border States. In fact, because of the failure of this administration, every State is a border State. Because of the decisions made by mayors like the one in New York City, communities like ours continue to face growing challenges and a growing crisis.

The communities I represent are strained to provide services to those who are homeless and housing insecure, those who are hungry and need help, and those who struggle with mental health and substance use disorder.

Yet, the President and the Governor of the State of New York continue to allow Mayor Eric Adams to circumvent the law and transport human souls to communities in upstate New York.

Deadly drug trafficking continues, with fentanyl and synthetic opioids pouring into our country and into communities, taking countless American lives.

We have a means to end this crisis. The President has the tools and resources at his disposal today to confront the crisis in a way that recognizes a concern for national security and in a way that is compassionate. He chooses not to.

The House has adopted H.R. 2, which would strengthen border security, enhance the asylum-seeking vetting process, and support and care for unaccompanied minors. Yet, we see no progress from the Senate or the President in embracing those policies.

There is a solution to securing our border, and we must act now. The President needs to not only acknowledge the problem but work in a bipartisan fashion to recognize the tools at his disposal and to secure our border.

Honoring the Memory of Senior Sergeant Christopher Filli of the Hudson

Police Department

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Senior Sergeant Christopher Filli of the Hudson City Police Department in Columbia County in upstate New York and acknowledging with a heavy heart the untimely passing of a man who embodied the essence of community, duty, and passion.

I know his family and knew Chris to be a devoted husband, father, and son. He left us on January 12, 2024, while faithfully serving the community he loved.

His journey began on January 19, 1973, and over the course of 22 years, he demonstrated exceptional commitment and selfless service to the Hudson City Police Department and the Hudson community.

From his early days with the Copake and Philmont Police Departments to his final role as senior sergeant, Chris' dedication was unwavering. He not only protected the city of Hudson, but also found joy in a second career as the owner of Chris Filli & Son Tree Service, Incorporated.

Mr. Speaker, we will always remember Chris for being a family man, cherishing every moment spent with his wife, Megan, and their children, creating a legacy of love and great devotion. We are heartbroken but stand united in honoring Chris' memory. May he rest in peace, and may his legacy of dedication to his community and his family live on in our hearts.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady. William is retiring after 40 years of serving the Dutchess County community as District Attorney.

William began his career in the District Attorney's Office in 1970 after his service in the U.S. Army, where he reached the rank of captain and received a Bronze Star. He started as an Assistant DA and was first elected as District Attorney in 1983. William has been re- elected 10 times and is currently the longest serving district attorney in New York State.

Under William's leadership, the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office has grown to a full-time staff of 39 attorneys which includes 20 female prosecutors. During his tenure William worked with Dutchess County to develop programs that address issues that lead to crime, such as substance abuse and mental health. These programs include the Dutchess County Drug Task Force, the Domestic Abuse Response Team, and the DWI Bureau. William has truly worked tirelessly to improve the criminal justice system in Dutchess County and keep residents safe.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring the career of Dutchess County District Attorney William Grady. We wish him nothing but the best in his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of William A. Shafer II, a pillar of the Broome County community who was beloved by all who knew him. William recently passed away on November 6, 2023, at the age of 79.

William attended public school in Erie, Pennsylvania and enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduating high school. He spent his early career as an Electronics Warfare Officer before his discharge in 1966. He then worked for Spectrum Control in Erie before moving to Binghamton in 1988 where he worked for Lockheed Martin and later BAE Systems. He also spent several years in the Civil Air Patrol where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

William, also known as ``Bill,'' was known throughout the community for his selflessness and integrity. A devoted member of the Civil Air Patrol, he was committed to mentoring young cadets in his community and was awarded Communicator of the Year during several years of his service. His contributions to Broome County will endure for generations to come, and he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in recognizing the life of William A. Shafer II, a remarkable man who made a lasting difference in his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of William (Bill) Henry Page, a fixture of the Dutchess County community who was beloved by all who knew him. William recently passed away on December 23, 2023, at the age of 82.

William was a lifelong resident of Dutchess County and active in his community. In 1962, he married the love of his life, Helen Marie Wilser, in Poughkeepsie, NY. Today, their three sons are raising their families in Dutchess County. William served on the Board of Directors of H.G. Page, the company founded by his father Henry Page, Sr. He and his beloved wife Helen successfully grew Park Page Associates into a prominent real estate development company. In addition, he served on many boards throughout the community and received honors including the Lagrange Symbol of Freedom Award, Family of the Year, and LaGrange Rotarian of the Year.

William, who was also known as ``Bill,'' will be remembered for his tenacity and affection for those around him. At the age of eighteen, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, but he never let his diagnosis stand in his way. He enjoyed conversation, red wine, and time spent with his family. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in honoring the memory of William Henry Page, a man who made a lasting difference in his community.