Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, first, I thank the gentlewoman from New Jersey for having this session, for bringing us together to highlight how the Trump administration is undermining hard-won protections for workers. I really appreciate the comments and sort of the introduction to my comments, a community that I have been close to and worked for diligently for a long time.

This used to be a bipartisan issue. This is an opportunity to discuss a group of workers who are often overlooked but who are also being very much hurt by the deregulatory agenda of this administration, workers with disabilities.

In December, the previous administration, under President Biden's leadership and the Department of Labor, released a proposed rule that would phase out, as quickly as possible, subminimum wage certificates which allow employers to legally pay workers with disabilities below the Federal minimum wage. This was long, long overdue.

About 38,500 disabled workers earned a subminimum wage in 2024 because of these certificates. Those 38,000 people deserve better, much better.

In taking action, the Biden Department of Labor spoke for those workers and pushed for them to have a livable, honorable wage. The Department noted that opportunities, legal protections, and support for disabled workers have increased since 1989 when the regulation was last updated.

However, in July, the Trump Department of Labor decided to undo that long, long overdue progress that was enacted by the Biden administration and House and Senate Democrats and instead continued issuing subminimum wage certificates.

Reminder to people around the country and Californians: The Federal minimum wage is $7.25. They were being paid below that.

In doing so, this administration is turning back the clock on disability rights. Multiple States, including the State I live in and represent, California, have already prohibited subminimum wages for workers with disabilities. Good for them. These subminimum wage laws federally have been used to justify paying people just a few cents per hour for work.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the National Council on Disabilities have called for an end to the practice by paying disabled workers less and paying them what they deserve, at least a minimum adjustment.

While disabled individuals continue to face challenges in achieving equal opportunity and treatment, we have made great strides in our understanding of disability and workplace accommodations.

Paying these American workers less can no longer be justified by any standard, yet this administration insists on doing it.

Rather than allow employers to continue underpaying disabled workers, this administration must and should reverse course and respect the dignity and contributions of these workers.

Again, I thank Representative McIver for coming here and bringing this to the attention of the American public.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of September being Suicide Prevention Month.

More than 35 years ago, my father took his own life by firearm. Unfortunately, this kind of tragedy is too common in America.

There were 1.4 million suicide attempts in 2019, making suicide one of the most pressing public health crises in America. In 2023, over 49,000 Americans died by suicide. Of those deaths, nearly 6 out of 10 involved a firearm.

Firearms also account for just 5 percent of American suicide attempts, but unfortunately, firearms account for over 50 percent of the deaths.

This points to a disturbing trend that those who attempt suicide by other means often regret their attempt. They don't do it again, and they seek help. That option, unfortunately, is rarely available to those people like my dad who had a weapon available.

Too many people don't seek help when they need it. Whether they are held back by fear, stigma, or lack of access, we need to do more as a society to remove all the barriers and encourage open and supportive communities.

Please, if you are having issues around depression or suicidal thoughts, seek help and call 988.

Mr. Chair, I regret that I was unable to vote today, as I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 258, on agreeing to McCormick Amendment No. 25 to H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

Amendment No. 29 Offered by Mr. Biggs of Arizona

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask when the majority will join us to address the epidemic of gun violence in our schools in America.

A recent shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis left 2 children dead and 21 injured when a shooter opened fire during morning mass.

Since 2013, there have been more than 1,500 incidents of gunfire on America's school grounds, resulting in 485 deaths and 1,100 injuries nationally.

As a result of California's strong gun regulations, residents of that State, my home State, are 25 percent less likely to be killed in a mass shooting than people in other States. California's overall rate of gun deaths is 42 percent lower than the national average. However, 40 percent of the guns used in California come from outside of the State. We need to deal with this nationally even while States show action.

The national statistics are much more troubling. For example, the U.S. gun homicide rate is 26 times that of other high-income countries. House Republicans continue to block all legislation to address this crisis.

It is past time that we put the safety of our children before the profits of the gun lobby and finally pass laws to protect our communities and young Americans from gun violence particularly in school.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Ron Nunn. Born on April 8, 1933, Ron was a proud lifelong resident of Brentwood, California. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1951 as a three-sport varsity athlete and went on to play football at the University of the Pacific and Stanford University. He later played semi-pro football for the Antioch Hornets. Additionally, Ron courageously served in the Army and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, fighting in the Korean War.

After his time in service, Ron returned to Brentwood where he raised his three children alongside his wife, Shirley. Ron was a passionate advocate for education and a key member of our community. In recognition of his service on the Brentwood School Board, a new elementary school was named in his honor in 1991. Ron was also a very successful farmer and developer. He continued to lead his family's farming operations, a legacy that dates back to the 1880's. Ron expanded operations to build RRS partnership, which manages thousands of acres of farmland, including the largest wine grape operation in Contra Costa County. Ron also led the development of over 5,000 homes in the area through his partnership with the Blackhawk Corporation. Beyond his professional pursuits, Ron enjoyed many interests including cars, wine making, flying planes, and skiing with family and friends.

Sadly, Ron passed away on August 8, 2025 at the age of 92. Ron will be remembered for his leadership, dedication to his family, and for his incredible impact on East County. Please join me in honoring Ron Nunn for his many contributions to our community.

Mr. Speaker I rise today to recognize Terry Bowen as she retires from her role with Gray-Bowen-Scott.

Teresa Bowen has worked tirelessly to bring transportation and development initiatives to life throughout the Bay Area. She graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a degree in Civil Engineering and began her career with Contra Costa Public Works Department, where she served as a Senior Civil Engineer. In 1986, Terry joined what is now known as Gray- Bowen-Scott as the organization's fourth employee. Throughout her tenure with Gray-Bowen-Scott, she has lent her expertise in local government to help countless clients navigate the system to make their projects a reality. Terry has fostered relationships with key partners such as Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration, the California Transportation Commission, and other regional transportation agencies. She prides herself on the strong relationships she's built with these stakeholders and her work has helped to deliver transportation and land development projects for our community for over forty years. Additionally, Terry was instrumental in the Sunol Grade Express Lane Project in Alameda County. Throughout this project, Terry worked closely with environmental groups, advocated for necessary state legislation, and secured funding to help complete the first express lane project in the Bay Area. Her work on this has set a precedent for how these projects are handled throughout the region. Terry's approach has demonstrated collaborative, creative problem-solving to address complex transportation issues.

Beyond her work at Gray-Bowen-Scott. Terry previously served as Chair of the East Bay Leadership Council, where she further demonstrated her commitment to improving quality of life for Bay Area residents and bolstering our region's economy. Outside of her professional accomplishments, Terry enjoys seeking out new learning opportunities, a good red wine, dancing, and spoiling her four-legged friends. Terry's work has been critical in shaping our region and her leadership has left an indelible impact on our community.

Please join me in congratulating Terry Bowen on her retirement after decades of dedicated service and wishing her well as she begins this new chapter.

Mr. Speaker, we rise today to recognize the 50th Anniversary of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and their unwavering commitment to fighting hunger in our community.

The Food Bank was created 50 years ago when a group of dedicated community members saw a dire need in our community and sought to address it. What began as a small endeavor has since expanded into 10 Food Bank programs, 245 agency partners, and 7,000 volunteers who we are told have served over 110,000 hours last year. The Food Bank has built powerful partnerships with Feeding America, local businesses, local farmers, and government agencies to produce tangible results in our community. As we celebrate the Food Bank's 50th anniversary, I am proud to acknowledge the work of the volunteers, founders, Board Members, staff, and donors who represent the heart of the Food Bank's mission.

As we understand, the Food Bank serves 98,000 households throughout Contra Costa and Solano County and provides enough food to generate 2.7 million meals per month, 68% of which is fresh produce, protein, and dairy. As the needs of the community glow, the Food Bank continues to work toward innovative, community-oriented solutions to best serve our neighbors. This includes a focus on new initiatives, partnerships, and strategies to combat the root causes of hunger. The organization truly has a legacy of service and has worked tirelessly to strengthen our community and fight food insecurity.

Please join us in honoring the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano for their invaluable work and in congratulating them for 50 years of incredible service.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the distinguished career of Tom Torlakson, a dedicated public servant and steadfast advocate for California's students, families and educators.

Tom's career in service began in the classroom. As a high school science teacher and coach in the Mount Diablo Unified School District, he saw firsthand the transformative power of education. His early experience in education shaped a lifelong commitment to ensuring that every child could learn, grow, and succeed, regardless of their background or zip code.

Recognizing the broader systemic challenges facing education, Mr. Torlakson entered public office to expand his impact. He served on the Antioch City Council and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, where he advocated for stronger schools, safer communities, and greater opportunities for all residents. His leadership in local government paved the way for his election to the California State Assembly and later the California State Senate, where he continued to be a leading voice on education and public health policy.

During his tenure in the California Legislature, Mr. Torlakson authored significant legislation that fundamentally improved the lives of millions. Among his many accomplishments, he was instrumental in establishing California's system of after-school programs, the largest after-school program system in the nation, providing students with safe, enriching environments after school hours. He also spearheaded the Quality Education Investment Act (SB 1133), securing billions of dollars in critical funding to support the state's most challenged schools and reduce educational inequities.

In 2011, Tom was elected as California's 27th State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a position he held with honor and distinction until 2019. As superintendent, he championed initiatives to close the digital divide, address achievements gaps, reduce dropout rates, and promote innovative programs such as the State Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing students who achieved proficiency in multiple languages. His leadership was key in preserving vital resources for schools and safeguarding educational opportunities for California's six million students, despite the state's budget challenges.

Beyond policy achievements, Tom's tenure was marked by his compassionate nature, which underscored his belief that the future of our communities, our economy, and our democracy depends on how we nurture and educate our young people. He worked collaboratively with educators, parents, and policymakers to foster a culture of inclusion, innovation, and excellence.

Mr. Speaker, it is fitting that we recognize Tom Torlakson today not only for his extraordinary record of public service but also for the profound and positive difference he has made in countless lives. His steadfast commitment to education and public welfare stands as an enduring example to us all. Please join me in honoring Tom Torlakson for his lifetime of service, leadership, and dedication to the people of California.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life of Harriett Burt.

Harriett was born in Alameda, California in 1940. Throughout her life, Harriett demonstrated her compassion and dedication to service. She followed in her parents' footsteps, becoming a teacher and educator. She moved to Martinez, California shortly after college to teach at Martinez Junior High and later taught in Australia before stepping into administrative and consulting roles in the education field. Her work took her throughout the United States and Canada. Additionally, Harriett was deeply passionate about serving her community. She was a journalist for the Martinez News-Gazette and served on the Martinez City Council, the city's planning commission, and the California Public Utilities Commission.

She was an active member of our community, a part of the Boys and Girls Club, the Soroptimist Club, the Martinez Education Association, Kiwanis, the Lyons Club, the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and more. Additionally, she was the first woman to serve as board president for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Contra Costa. Harriett's leadership in the community has had a profound impact on countless lives and has paved the way for future generations.

Sadly, Harriett recently passed away at the age of 85. She will be remembered for her indelible impact in Martinez and beyond and for her intellect, warmth, and kindness. Please join me in recognizing Harriett Burt for her many contributions to our community.

Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me the time. I acknowledge the leadership of the chair and the ranking member of the full committee and the subcommittee for their great, bipartisan work on this initiative.

One of the Coast Guard's primary missions is search and rescue. In fiscal year 2025 alone, their efforts saved more than 2,200 people and $40 million in property. To keep up this important work, they need robust funding and support, which is just what this bill delivers.

With the administration's aggressive funding and staffing cuts, however, at the National Weather Service and FEMA and the increasing severity and frequency of natural disasters due in my opinion to climate change, the risks associated with those disasters continue to rise.

Unfortunately, we don't have to look any further than recent floods and devastating storms to know how important the Coast Guard can be in responding to these emergencies and disasters, but they need their partners at FEMA and NOAA.

I strongly support this bill and the great work the Coast Guard does to protect our citizens and waters, including in and around the district I represent in the San Francisco Bay Area. I also ask my colleagues to continue to endeavor to invest not just in the Coast Guard but in their partner agencies like FEMA and the National Weather Service to ensure safety and mission readiness.

Mr. Speaker, 1 year ago tomorrow, our community in the bay area and the country rejoiced as the Port Chicago 50 were finally exonerated 80 years after the explosion that changed the course of their lives and American history.

On July 17, 1944, an explosion rang out at the shipyard at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in California, killing or wounding 710 people, predominantly African Americans in the Navy, which was segregated at that time.

Mr. Speaker, 50 of the enlisted survivors who refused to return to the same unsafe working conditions that led to the explosion were indicted, defended by Thurgood Marshall, and convicted of mutiny.

After decades of advocacy from community veterans groups, civil rights groups, and more, last year, the Port Chicago 50 were finally exonerated by President Biden and the Navy.

While this action does not erase the historical injustice that they suffered, it does correct the record and recognizes them as the heroes that they were.

I am very proud to have been part of this endeavor to exonerate these innocent, brave American sailors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, this bill would cause household resources for the poorest Americans to decrease while the obscenely rich will get richer.

I offered two amendments in the Rules Committee, one to prevent people with disabilities from being kicked off Medicaid and one to help low-income students afford an education that they earned.

Unfortunately, Republicans refused to consider them, as they yet again worked through the dead of night to rip off hardworking Americans and give tax breaks to the richest Americans who don't need them.

Even FOX News reports that it is projected to increase the Federal deficit by $4 trillion over the next decade.

This bill is nothing more than a vanity project for the President, and it betrays the American people. I strongly oppose this reckless legislation and urge my colleagues to do the right thing.

Mr. Speaker, on May 22, House Republicans passed their budget bill, which would make major cuts to the Pell Grant program in order to finance tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. This will be one of the largest transfers of multigenerational wealth in the history of the country.

Pell grants are awarded to help low-income students afford the cost of higher education so that they can focus on their coursework. Republican changes would force students with disabilities, students with jobs, and primary caregivers to increase their course load or risk losing their Pell grant awards.

Over 5,000 students in the district I represent in northern California receive Pell grants. A study by the Center for Economic and Policy Research found that the average income in a community rises by 2\1/2\ percent for every 1 percent increase in Pell grants.

We should focus on making education more accessible and doubling the maximum Pell grant, not cutting off support for students who need it the most for people who need support the least.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our Nation's investments in biomedical research through the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.

The research that is conducted through NIH and NCI improves health outcomes, creates jobs, and furthers our global leadership in biomedical research and innovation.

I am proud to have been a consistent supporter of funding for these institutions, having visited both institutions in Bethesda and around this country.

NIH is the largest public funding source of biomedical research worldwide, with a current budget of $47.7 billion. Similarly, NCI is the largest public funder of cancer research in the world, with a current budget of $7.22 billion.

NCI was created by a Republican President, Richard Nixon, as his war on cancer, which has been phenomenally successful.

NIH funding attracts top talent from across the country and, indeed, the globe to help make our biomedical research industry the best by far in the world, an accomplishment Americans should be incredibly proud of.

As a survivor of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, stage IV, the work that goes on at the National Cancer Institute is of personal importance to me and approximately 20 million American cancer survivors. We are alive today because of innovations in medicine funded by taxpayers and the private sector in a wonderful public-private partnership.

Research funded through NCI has undoubtedly helped improve health outcomes. A study published by the American Cancer Society notes that the cancer mortality rate has declined 33 percent since 1991. Those are all Americans who are living today, like myself.

When I was diagnosed, my oncologist said: You are lucky. Ten years ago, with the same diagnosis, I would have had to say all we could do was tell you to enjoy whatever time you have left.

Now, because of these investments, I am able to live a full life expectancy, like many of the other survivors.

From developing the first chemotherapy drug to treat metastatic cancer in 1956 to promising new research on immunotherapy, NCI-funded research has developed numerous new drugs and therapies for cancer.

While these investments and research are good for health outcomes, they are also tremendously good for our economy. In fiscal year 2023, NIH funding generated approximately $92.9 billion in economic activity. That is a great return on investment, Mr. Speaker.

NIH awards over 80 percent of its annual budget in the form of research grants to 2,500 research institutions across the country, in red States and blue. These grants support the jobs of more than 300,000 researchers at institutions in all 50 States and provide immeasurable benefits to our local communities, especially local community economies.

I am proud that the area that I represent, the San Francisco Bay Area in northern California, is home to 2 of the top 10 recipients of NIH grants, the University of California San Francisco and Stanford University. UCSF is the top public university recipient of NIH grants, making the region a leader in biomedical research, which benefits the economy and individuals like myself.

The economic benefits are further compounded by private investment. In 2020, private industry as a whole invested $161.8 billion in biomedical research in the U.S. This was allowed because of the basic research done at NIH and NCI.

Despite these numerous benefits, the current administration and many of my Republican colleagues are proposing to cut the NIH's budget by 40 percent and NCI's budget by 37 percent. That would be a grave mistake for individual Americans who will die and their families and for our economy.

While some claim that private industry alone can replace Federal investment in biomedical research, this just isn't the case. It has been proven over decades. The private sector needs this public-sector investment for them to do many of the drugs and treatments that we currently have. This has been the case for decades. While some claim that this is easily done, there is no way.

Mr. Speaker, the Chinese are investing billions of dollars to catch up to us in this field. We should not lose American leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Father Paul Shaughnessy and to welcome him as our guest chaplain for today.

I first met Father Shaughnessy at the College of the Holy Cross in Mr. McGovern's district, in Worcester, Massachusetts. We were classmates, friends, teammates, and we spent an occasional evening in Worcester at an Irish bar having a pint, maybe two--we were young-- talking about life.

Father Shaughnessy joined the Jesuits and became an ordained priest before making the noble decision to enlist in the Marines in 1994.

Lieutenant Commander Shaughnessy brought faith and comfort to many soldiers, including a congregation of 32,000 in Iraq.

His impact has earned him a number of accolades, such as Meritorious Service Medals and the Navy and Marine Corps commendation medals.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Father Paul Shaughnessy for his service and for sharing his wisdom and faith with us today.