Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I issued a challenge yesterday to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to stop lying and be honest about what they actually mean when they are talking about changes to our immigration system and at the border, and it looks like they are taking my advice.

Let's look at this board. We have a fellow Floridian on the record saying she wants family separation. Seems like a nice sentiment coming from someone who is a new mother.

We have our infamous colleague from Georgia saying that she can't wait for mass deportations to start on day one of the Trump administration.

Then we also have the criminally indicted former President himself saying that he wants to scrap birthright U.S. citizenship.

I want to remind everybody that the promise of this country, the promise written on the Statue of Liberty, is one that welcomes all folks who are most vulnerable with open arms; like my mother did when she came here from Cuba as a refugee and asylum seeker.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans in the House need to stop lying to the American people. If you don't believe in the promise of this country or in our values, you don't believe in the beacon of hope that is the Statue of Liberty.

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I introduced the EPIPEN Act to cap the cost of any two-pack epinephrine auto-injector to $60 for folks with private health insurance.

A few years ago, I had a life-threatening allergic reaction and had to use an expired EpiPen that I hadn't replaced due to the sky-high cost. If it wasn't for the EMTs, I would have died that night. They can cost more than $650, even after insurance.

I am not alone. I heard from an American who can't afford to purchase enough EpiPens so that way her kid can have one in all the places they need it: their backpack, the school nurse, at daycare, at home, and in the car.

I heard from an American who keeps four expired EpiPens in the hopes that they will have enough active medication to save his life one day.

I heard from an American who hasn't filled a prescription in the past decade despite having severe allergies. She works in the medical field.

Folks, it is plain and simple: It doesn't have to be this way. We need Congress to step in, look out for working families, and cap these prices for lifesaving medications.

Mr. Speaker, I grew up not understanding why people throughout the country didn't hold Congress in high regard, but I can just imagine the people turning on C-SPAN, turning on the news, hearing the arguments that we are hearing from the other side of the aisle, and then it just makes sense to me.

Let's recap what the American people have witnessed over the last few years: A Member who physically assaulted a colleague, a Republican Member who tried to bring a gun on the House floor, a Republican colleague who brought January 6 insurrectionists into the Capitol.

This is the least productive Congress that we have had since the Great Depression, and this entire party is pushing us toward a shutdown and economic collapse daily, but it is Congressman Bowman, who is a thoughtful former educator and staunch defender of democracy, who they want to censure. What a pathetic waste of time. No wonder half of this country doesn't vote when they turn on the TV and see their leaders wasting time like this.

We need more educators in Congress like Congressman Bowman, not fewer, and maybe if we had more educators here, they would be able to give my Republican colleagues a class on how to truly govern.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor one of Orlando's legends, the first Black man hired to teach at Winter Park High School, the first Black administrator at Rollins College, the first Black man from Orlando who was elected to the State legislature since Reconstruction, the first Black chairman of the Orange County Democratic Executive Committee, and the first Black legislator to pass two constitutional amendments--Dr. Alzo J. Reddick.

A son of central Florida, Dr. Reddick has been a tried and true tireless leader for our Orlando community and, importantly, for the advancement of our Black and Brown people, and folks across the entire country.

He was on the forefront of the fight to uplift the working class and poor folks of our community, to extend educational opportunities to students from all walks of life, and to create a world where our community knows peace, equity, and equality. Dr. Reddick paved the way for legislators like me to be where we are today.

Today, I thank him and honor him for all the work he has done for every single Floridian.

Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to this amendment to eliminate the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, which President Biden took historic action to create.

This year, there have been more shootings than days in the year. It has been a deadly year, and that is why the American people want to see us take action, not tear down the simple efforts they are owed.

However, my colleagues aren't listening to the American people. They are listening to the gun manufacturers. They are listening to the gun lobby, the gun lobby that emailed everyone about this amendment that we are debating right now, saying they would endorse against any politician who votes with common sense. It was an email filled with pure hyperbole saying that this office was made to take guns away.

This office is not created to take guns away, it is created to save lives. The American people fear for their safety, and that should be more important than Republican politicians' fear for their careers.

How many more dreams need to be extinguished until we say enough is enough?

The swamp radicals that we are referring to are people like Greg Jackson, a survivor of gun violence who was shot not too far from this Chamber and fought for his life in the hospital. He

almost died due to senseless gun violence, and he has committed his life to saving all of our lives. I am offended that someone would call him or Rob Wilcox, another survivor of gun violence, the swamp.

The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention will save lives, and voting ``no'' means trying to eliminate a FEMA-like response for communities after shootings and the coordination of gun violence prevention programs that will save lives.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Mr. Chair, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will make this about criminal-on-criminal activity. One of the core tenets of this office is for community violence intervention, one of the only such programs in our country that go into communities, find out people who are most likely to shoot someone, and people who are most likely to be shot, create relationships, and intervene before the violence happens. This office is working to solve exactly the problem that was just iterated by the other side.

I hope if my colleagues follow their own logic that they will vote ``no'' on this amendment so we can save lives across the entire country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Childhood cancers force the most vulnerable among us to be the most courageous and call upon loved ones to overcome the unimaginable. Luckily, the federal government, universities, hospitals, and nonprofits are driving the research needed to treat and ultimately, cure these diseases.

I'm proud to say that one such non-profit is located in my district: Cannonball Kids Cancer Foundation. Thanks to the efforts of Cannonball Kids' staff, volunteers, and donors, the organization has awarded millions of dollars in research grants to top universities and clinics across the country that are striving to find a cure. Because of their important work, children and their loved ones will one day never have to experience the devastating news of a pediatric cancer diagnosis.

Madam Chair, due to unforeseen circumstances, I missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted ``No'' on rollcall No. 490.

Amendment No. 69 Offered by Ms. Tenney

Madam Speaker, I rise today to stand in solidarity with the nearly 150,000 United Auto Workers who are bravely leading the fight for fair pay, better benefits, and safe working conditions.

It is important that the industry supports a contract that rewards autoworkers for the sacrifices they have made and the profits they have built for these companies and our economy. Let's not forget that in 2008 these workers did their part. They stayed on the job and kept manufacturing and production going while the government swooped in to keep the industry afloat.

These workers didn't complain when we supported the big automakers, but now it is our turn to support them. The Big Three car manufacturers are experiencing record profits. Their CEOs are bringing home millions of dollars and 40 percent pay increases--that is right, 40 percent pay increases--while their workers cannot say the same.

Generation Z--something I am very proud of--is America's most pro- union generation, overwhelmingly supporting union workers time and time again. Now Congress needs to stand in solidarity with working people and do what is necessary in the struggle for what they deserve: fair wages, better benefits, and safe working conditions. I am proud to stand with the United Auto Workers.

Fight Against the Climate Crisis

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the climate movement for a huge win today. President Biden has announced the creation of the American Climate Corps, which will train tens of thousands of young people to build the climate-friendly infrastructure we deserve and that we need. This is youth workforce development and will help us in many different issues, from gun violence to the economy.

This transformational thinking is the policy and work that we deserve to save our planet and save humanity. I thank the youth-led movements, like the Sunrise Movement, that made moments like this possible. I thank everyone who has championed this. This is a great step in the greater fight to protect humanity, to fight against the climate crisis, and to have a world that we deserve.

The climate crisis is here, and the cost of not doing anything is far greater than the cost of taking bold action. Yes, in terms of dollars and cents, which is usually the way we think about things here in Congress, but I also think about the cost of human life and the cost of humanity. Let's continue this fight together.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a man whose music has not only entertained us for decades but has made a profound impact on society.

Jimmy Buffett, the legendary singer-songwriter, isn't just an artist who has given us catchy tunes and a taste of the beach life; he is a cultural icon whose contributions have touched the hearts and souls of people around the world.

Jimmy Buffett's music reminds us that our worth is not only tied to how much money we make or how much output we can produce in our consumer-driven society but that relaxing and enjoying the fruits of life with the people you love is okay.

Through his lyrics and melodies, he transports us to the sun-soaked shores of Florida and the carefree attitude that reminds us to embrace the things that truly matter and make life beautiful.

His influence went beyond music. He was a philanthropist who was dedicated to ending the climate crisis to environmental causes and inspired countless people to join the fight against climate change across the entire Nation.

I thank Jimmy Buffett for making our world a little more beautiful, a little more joyful, and a little more caring. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Cheers to him and to the paradise he created for us all.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because the American people are getting a front-row seat at the circus that Speaker Kevin McCarthy and extremists in the Republican Party are unleashing on our country.

We are 15 days away from a government shutdown that will impact millions of working people, and Speaker Kevin McCarthy cannot even get his own party to pass any significant pieces of legislation.

The cherry on top of all of this is that, instead of getting to work to fund the government, they are trying to impeach Hunter Biden, who, I think--spoiler alert--is not the President of the United States.

This Speaker doesn't even have the votes for impeachment, doesn't have the votes to fund the government. It is unclear whether or not he even has the votes to keep his own job.

Kevin McCarthy doesn't even know what Kevin McCarthy stands for because it sure looks like his morals and beliefs about how this place should run apply only when other people are holding the gavel.

So America, 15 days from now, when our country comes to a halt, remember who did this to you: Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the extremist House Republicans who care more about themselves and their politics than you.

Mr. Speaker, today I honor the life and contributions of Thomas C. Chatmon, Jr., a ray of light in our Central Florida community.

Thomas Chatmon was a visionary for downtown Orlando, an innovator, a family man, and a champion of downtown Orlando and the people. As executive director of the Downtown Development Board and the Community Redevelopment Agency, he reimagined a thriving downtown that serves people of all ages, races, and lifestyles. Thomas Chatmon nurtured relationships that redefined our community and ensured everyone he interacted with was seen and heard. He profoundly impacted all the lives he touched, whether through his work or kindness.

He leaves behind a legacy of transformative ideas that have become much of the parts of downtown Orlando that we know and love.

I continue to send my deepest condolences to the Chatmon family, as his passing leaves us with a hole in our hearts and community. We are empowered to carry out his legacy and vision by leading with love in all we do. May he rest in power. God bless.

Mr. Speaker, right now virtually anyone in our country can walk into a store and purchase a firearm they don't know how to use or store.

I rise today in support of my amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. It studies weapons training, safety, and storage standards in the military to see how we can implement them for civilians.

Through our Armed Forces, the United States has developed a system capable of ensuring the safety and training of gun users. Look at all of the steps our servicemembers must take before they can carry a gun. This is what our servicemembers must go through before they can even pick up a gun.

Hundreds of people die every year from unintentional shootings. Why not take our military's best practices in firearm safety and apply them to civilians so we can reduce gun accidents and save lives? That is exactly what my amendment seeks to do, and I urge folks to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and advocacy of Reverend Dr. Randolph Bracy, Jr., a true giant and selfless servant in our central Florida community who transitioned this past weekend.

Reverend Dr. Bracy was an educator, a pastor, a husband, father, organizer, and true community leader. The former president of the Orange County NAACP, Reverend Dr. Bracy was on the front lines and in the fight for justice and equity for all Floridians.

Through his faith and love of God, Reverend Dr. Bracy devoted his life to serving and seeing the world through the eyes of the most vulnerable. He truly woke up every day with the commitment of loving our neighbors and leaving our State a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I send my deep condolences to the entire Bracy family as his passing has left a huge hole in our hearts and in the central Florida community. In his memory, we continue to fight for the better world that we all deserve. May he rest in power.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today because after weeks of pointing fingers on the debt ceiling negotiations, House Republicans have finally shown their true colors.

It is Republican leadership that controls this Chamber. It is Speaker McCarthy who controls the floor. Yet, instead of working overtime to make sure that we don't default on our Nation's debt and send the economy into a tailspin and stop the benefits of millions of Americans, Members of Congress are going home this weekend.

The interesting thing is that many of these folks, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, are the same people that clowned me on Twitter for not having the best credit after my campaign and being denied an apartment here in D.C.

Imagine the hypocrisy of poor-shaming working people for trying to pay off their debts, and then turn around and refuse to pay the country's debt to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. It is distasteful, disgraceful, and we have to do better.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this resolution.

I want to say something. My Republicans colleagues are pushing a narrative that student debt relief is unfair. To my colleagues, I agree with them. I agree that what is going on is unfair.

Folks who paid off their debt, the fact that they had to have it in the first place is unfair. The fact that students still have to take out crushing student debt just to get a college education, that is unfair.

If we legislated using the logic that you bring to this issue here today, women and Black folks wouldn't have the right to vote because it would be unfair to those who never got to vote before then.

See, if we legislated using your logic, that because there was an injustice we can't fix it because it is unfair to those who never had it fixed, means we would never progress on any issue in this country.

Why do you bring that * logic to this issue as it relates to students but not any other issue?

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the offending words.

If we use this logic on every single issue, we would never have progress on anything.

The truth of the matter is that young people and people don't have student debt because we live beyond our means. We have student debt because we have been denied the means to live. It is important to understand that.

Congress needs to help fix this damaged economy, which gets more unequal and inequitable every single day. This resolution today is not delivering that help. It is making things worse. To people watching at home, to young people, the people with student debt, just know that the Republican Party here, my colleagues in this Chamber, are fighting to take away the relief that you need and that you deserve.

This is about fairness. True fairness is ensuring that everyone has equitable opportunity. Twenty million constituents robbed of relief by their own Representatives is what this resolution is about.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''