Floor Statements

Madam Chair, had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 348.

Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Self

Madam Speaker, this past Saturday, May 18, marked the 15th anniversary since the end of the civil war in Sri Lanka. The conflict saw the death, disappearance, abuse, and displacement of tens of thousands of Tamil people in Sri Lanka.

I want to take this time to remember and honor the lives lost and to reaffirm my and Congress' solidarity with the people of all communities in Sri Lanka in their search for reconciliation and reform. I also recognize the bravery

and commitment of those who continue to seek justice and accountability.

I urge the Sri Lankan Government and the international community to advocate for the protection of rights for all peoples of Sri Lanka and to work with all parties toward a sustainable political solution to prevent recurrence of such violence and tragic loss.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Roofing Contractors Association, headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, and its efforts to designate the week of June 2-8, 2024, as National Roofing Week.

The roof is one of the most important components of any home or business. It is the first line of defense against natural elements, such as rain, snow, or wind, and yet it is often taken for granted until it falls into disrepair. National Roofing Week honors the thousands of roofing-related businesses and workers across the country, as well as the industry's commitment to public service. National Roofing Week is a valuable reminder of the significance quality roofing has on every home and business in the U.S.

Established in 1886, NRCA is one of the Nation's oldest trade associations and the voice of professional roofing contractors worldwide. NRCA has nearly 4,000 roofing company members who represent the entire roofing supply chain. Using its vast network of roofing contractors and industry-related members, NRCA is responsible for the installation of new construction and replacement roof systems on commercial and residential structures in America. Most of its members are small, privately held businesses that provide family-sustaining jobs for thousands of hardworking individuals who are the backbone of our economy.

Professional roofing contractors provide vital services to their communities, on and off the clock. NRCA members will recognize National Roofing Week June 2-8 by supporting numerous charitable projects, employee training programs and other activities across the Nation. I commend NRCA and the vital role the organization and its members play in every community, and I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging their contributions during National Roofing Week.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Sunny Gurpreet Singh for his lifetime of work focused on wellbeing and holistic health.

Mr. Singh grew up in Punjab, India where he developed a passion for the environment and its relationship with human wellbeing. His upbringing emphasized the importance of nature, which eventually inspired him to pursue a master's degree at Montana State University. During his studies, he took advantage of Montana's natural beauty and made the connection between environment and personal well-being. This led him to a career focused on healthcare and creating pathways for people to reconnect with nature.

The link between the environment and health inspired Mr. Singh to start a company and develop programs that would make his philosophy accessible to anyone who was interested. He worked to improve healthcare delivery for patients, caregivers, and professionals and implement a proactive wellness approach. He also created a tool to assist people in making positive, long-term changes to enhance their lives.

Mr. Singh continues to give back to his community through various initiatives focused on increasing access for underserved communities to athletics, education, women's empowerment, and environmental protection. This philanthropic work has helped shape the way people view the environment and take care of themselves.

Roundglass Sustain, Mr. Singh's environmental philanthropic arm, has worked to document biodiversity in India and has campaigned to promote environmental conservation and showcase the planet's wildlife diversity through thousands of photos and videos that have reached millions of people.

Additionally, Mr. Singh developed the Roundglass India Center initiative based in Seattle University. The Center serves as a bridge between Seattle and India through their events and collaborations. He has helped students from Punjab pursue a legal education at Seattle University's School of Law through the Center's Punjab Scholarship. The Center also funds research that is aimed at gaining insights into the major challenges confronting societies today and promotes conversations on regional and national social and economic transformations for India.

Sunny Singh's life is the embodiment of the American Dream. As a fellow immigrant from India, I am deeply honored to commemorate Sunny Singh's significant contributions and accomplishments. Mr. Sunny Gurpreet Singh has empowered and uplifted countless individuals across the United States and India, and it is for that impact, Mr. Speaker, that I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Sunny Gurpreet Singh.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 193.

Madam Chair, I rise in support of this bill, and specifically on the TikTok divestment bill. I want to say a special thank you to Greg Meeks, Mike McCaul, Mike Gallagher, Frank Pallone, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Chair Cantwell in the Senate for working on this bill.

First of all, this bill is not a ban; it is about a divestment. It is not really about TikTok; it is about ByteDance, the company that owns TikTok and is indisputably controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. The CCP's secretary of the cell embedded in the company is the editor and chief of ByteDance. That is why we are so concerned about this particular app.

Since the bill passed with 352 votes previously, we increased the divestment period, which is the least restrictive way to deal with the CCP threat, from 6 months to upwards of a year.

Madam Chair, I strongly urge support of this bill.

Madam Chair, I rise in strong support of this amendment, which requires the China Military Power Report, which the Department of Defense puts out each year to include a new section on the PRC's development of critical and emerging technologies. Through its Military-Civil Fusion strategy, the CCP has effectively combined its civilian and military sectors, meaning that American investment into China often finds its way into the hands of the People's Liberation Army.

We simply cannot allow this to happen. By tracking the PRC's development of critical technologies, as well as any American support for these efforts, this amendment will help prevent the power of American innovation and financing from fueling the continued growth of China's military power.

Madam Chair, I urge strong support for this amendment.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8036.

A recent survey showed the majority of Americans believe there is a 50/50 chance or greater of war between the United States and China. It is one of their greatest fears. That same survey showed that 80 percent of Americans want us to do everything in our power to prevent war with China.

This particular bill, H.R. 8036, is critical in preventing war with China by increasing deterrence against their aggression through foreign military financing of our partners, upgrading the industrial submarine base, and replenishing our defense stocks.

Madam Speaker, I strongly urge support of H.R. 8036. We cannot wane in the defense of democracy.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize His Holiness Dr. Vasanth Vijayji Maharaj for his lifetime dedication to promoting peace, spirituality, and brotherhood.

At a young age, His Holiness committed himself to the teachings of non-violence, meditation, and religious unity. Accordingly, he has organized numerous events to educate people on moral integrity, sustainable environmental practices, and healthy lifestyle choices to improve societal well-being.

His Holiness has also worked to combat poverty and homelessness throughout India by organizing public gatherings and events. Collectively, his events have helped to distribute clothing items and food to more than 15,000 individuals in need.

Notably, His Holiness's movement for non-violence has received international recognition and engagement. In 2005, he organized the Historic Peace March in India, bringing together practitioners of multiple religions to promote unity. He also organized Vasanth Vizag, in which over 750,000 people gathered to advocate for peaceful conflict resolution. In 2008, he held the World Peace Festival where attendees participated in a candle lighting ceremony to signify harmony between countries around the world. His Holiness's commendable efforts to unify diverse peoples through shared values transcend national boundaries.

At all of these events, His Holiness showcased his unique approach to cultivating mutual respect and understanding between people by highlighting what they have in common. His vision is for teachers, parents, children, and policymakers to work together to combat social injustices. As a result of his teachings and guidance, his millions of followers have established over 100 peace centers and charitable trusts across the world.

His Holiness's efforts to promote interstate and interfaith cooperation have been recognized by organizations worldwide. In 2009, he was appointed as Diplomatic Counsellor of India by the International Parliament for Safety and Peace and given the prestigious title of Ambassador of Peace by the Universal Peace Federation. His Holiness was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize to recognize the impact he has had throughout the world.

His Holiness has empowered and uplifted countless individuals physically and spiritually, and it is for that impact, Mr. Speaker, that I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation to His Holiness Dr. Vasanth Vijayji Maharaj.

Madam Speaker, Congress needs to fully fund the American Connectivity Program, also known as ACP. This landmark initiative helps all Americans afford home internet access that is essential today to achieve work or education success.

In my district, Nancy Mendez said that one-half of the people in the United Palatine Coalition's beginning computer class relied on the ACP for their first-ever home internet access.

More broadly, Cook County estimates that more than 250,000 households in Cook County have been helped by the law. I want to congratulate and thank Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County for their successful implementation of the ACP.

Be that as it may, if the House doesn't act, those families in Cook County and elsewhere will lose their home internet access.

Let's pass the ACP reauthorization act now.

SEIU Healthcare

Madam Speaker, in Illinois and across the country, America is in the midst of a childcare crisis. Today parents face a desert of childcare options, and the options available to them are increasingly unaffordable.

In addition, childcare workers face low wages and a lack of benefits that leave them unable to meet their own basic needs.

In Illinois, nearly 60 percent of parents live where there are not enough childcare providers. Parents and workers are shouldering the cost of care through massive enrollment fees, lower wages for care workers, and a steep decline in the number of licensed childcare providers. This situation is untenable and unacceptable.

SEIU Healthcare is fighting to create living wages and affordable services. Now it is our turn in Washington to meet the challenge. We must support the needs of parents and care workers alike by fully funding President Biden's request to stabilize childcare resources now.

Catholic Charities

Madam Speaker, partisan gamesmanship over the southern border is causing this House to neglect the needs of thousands of legally admitted children and families for whom hunger and homelessness await.

Catholic Charities of Chicago estimates they now serve five to six times as many people at their pantries compared to 2020. These increases mirror those reported by other food banks, religious organizations, and not-for-profits nationwide, and they are all struggling to bridge the gap created by our inaction in Washington.

The blame game will not feed the hungry. We can and must do better now.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chair McMorris Rodgers and Ranking Member Pallone for their extraordinary leadership in protecting our privacy and our data privacy. I thank them for their excellent leadership in helping to pass legislation last week that is going to force ByteDance to sell TikTok precisely because the CCP can access Americans' sensitive data under its current ownership.

This bill is extremely, extremely important.

Why?

It is important because it prevents our foreign adversaries from buying American data through other sources.

Right now, so-called data brokers can sell Americans' sensitive data in bulk, including internet browsing history and geolocation data, and they can resell it to foreign adversaries who can then target military personnel, public officials, and others.

This bill addresses this national security threat head-on by prohibiting data brokers from selling our data to foreign adversaries. It is an excellent complement to the bill that we passed just last week with regard to ByteDance, TikTok, and foreign adversary-owned social media applications.

This bill needs to pass, and it needs to pass now.

Madam Speaker, I am so proud to strongly support H.R. 7520, and I ask all of my colleagues to unanimously pass this bill today.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pallone; Mr. Gallagher, my partner on this bill; Chairwoman McMorris Rodgers; and all the members of the select committee.

First, this bill is not a ban, and it is not about TikTok. It is about ByteDance. Let me tell you about ByteDance. ByteDance is a 100- percent owner of TikTok. ByteDance is controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.

In fact, the editor in chief of ByteDance is the secretary of the Chinese Communist Party cell embedded at the very highest ranks of the company. He has been charged with making sure that TikTok and all products of ByteDance adhere to ``correct political direction.''

This particular bill ensures that ByteDance divests itself of the vast majority of the ownership of TikTok. Our intention is for TikTok to continue to operate but not under the control of the Chinese Communist Party.

Secondly, this divestment requirement is not new. It is not without precedent. When the app Grindr, a popular LGBTQ app, was acquired by a Chinese company and the United States Government determined that sensitive data of LGBTQ members of the military and U.S. Government officials got into the hands of the Chinese Communist Party, they required divestment.

This happened quickly. Why? Because Grindr was a very valuable social media company. The same is true with regard to TikTok. There will be no disruption to users, just as there was with Grindr.

The third point, unfortunately, when TikTok has appeared before Congress, whether it is before the House Energy and Commerce Committee or otherwise, it has not been candid.

First, TikTok has said its data is not accessible to China-based ByteDance employees. False. China-based employees routinely access this data, even unbeknownst to employees of TikTok USA.

In addition, TikTok said its data will not be weaponized and has not been weaponized against American citizens. Again, false. Published reports have shown that TikTok data, geolocation data, has been used to surveil American journalists who reported on problems with Chinese- based employees having access to American user data.

Finally, last week, under the leadership of the chairwoman and the ranking member, they brought up for consideration our bill before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. On the morning of that vote, TikTok delivered a push notification and a popup to thousands of user across the country. They used geolocation data targeting minor children to then force them to call congressional offices in order to continue using the app. In doing so, these children called and asked the question: What is Congress, and what is a Congressman? This influence campaign illustrates the need for this bill.

Madam Speaker, it has been more than a dozen years since the Syrian revolution

began against Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship. In that time, America and our allies have stood together in opposition to Assad's barbaric regime.

Some in the region may be ready to look past the atrocities committed by Assad's forces. Some countries are even willing to recognize the Assad regime. America must not.

We must go further. We must use our diplomatic strength to counter these misguided steps. Assad, his regime, and their backers have given us no basis whatsoever to justify normalizing relations with a government responsible for the slaughter of 600,000 men, women, and children.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass the Assad Anti- Normalization Act.

Pakistan's Elections Must Reflect the Will of its People, Not its

Military

Madam Speaker, I will address the results of Thursday's elections in Pakistan and the ongoing vote count there.

I am deeply disturbed by the numerous reports that Pakistan's military is engaging in vote-rigging and violence to overturn the results of Thursday's elections.

These latest actions follow months of targeted suppression, politically motivated arrests, and brutal intimidation tactics.

The results of Pakistan's elections must reflect the will of its people, not its military. It is imperative that every effort is made to ensure that every vote is counted fairly and accurately, and that violence is prevented at all costs.

As we continue to monitor the results out of Pakistan, I urge the State Department to delay recognizing a winner until these allegations are fully reviewed.

Mr. Speaker, this is a picture of 3-year-old Jose Urribarri, who is a member of a migrant family in Chicago. Freezing weather is just one of the challenges facing families like Jose's as stable housing options disappear in the dead of winter.

Catholic Charities of Chicago is one of our local agencies leading the way and moving families from police station floors into better accommodations, but Catholic Charities cannot do it alone. Scarce local resources mean that Congress needs to step up, as well.

Let's pass emergency supplemental funding for cities and bring some hope to those like Jose who need it badly right now.

Mr. Speaker, thousands of janitors, bag handlers, wheelchair attendants, and others at our Nation's airports work for wages as low as $2.13 plus tips.

That is not a typo. This is called the national subminimum wage, and it is unacceptable. Workers who help more

than 3 million airport travelers every day deserve better.

In Chicago, more than 6,000 such workers represented by SEIU Local 1 now get a living wage and decent benefits, but far too many workers still depend on the luck of a tip jar to augment their measly $2.13 hourly wage. A $2.13 hourly wage will not fly.

Let's ground a $2.13 hourly wage once and for all. Let's pass the Good Jobs for Good Airports Act now.

Mr. Speaker, millions of Americans will start work today not knowing if they will earn enough for food, rent, or medical bills.

Why? Because they are tipped workers who are guaranteed an hourly minimum wage of only $2.13 plus whatever tips come their way.

Yes, $2.13 per hour. That is not a typo. Even the most frugal find it impossible to live on $2.13 an hour plus the luck of a tip jar.

Chicago recently approved the One Fair Wage Act to address this inequity,

and I commend Mayor Johnson, SEIU, and the good folks at One Fair Wage for their leadership on this issue.

I urge my colleagues to pass the Raise the Wage Act so that every American can earn a living wage.