Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise to call out the hypocrisy and extreme political stunts Republicans are displaying with this baseless and unconstitutional impeachment against the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas.

Instead of seeking bipartisan solutions, they voted to cut border security funding. Let me repeat that: cut border security funding. They are now bringing an impeachment that lacks basis in law just to pull another one of their political stunts.

Secretary Mayorkas has dedicated his career to public service and our country. During his time in the Department, he led the development and implementation of DACA and led the Department's successful response to Ebola and Zika outbreaks.

He has worked tirelessly on combating human trafficking and developed an emergency relief program for orphaned youth following the tragic January 10 earthquake in Haiti.

Secretary Mayorkas has done the work he was tasked to do by the President and more.

Stop wasting time on yet another extreme political farce. Start working with Democrats for a bipartisan, real solution.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 722, Republican Motion to Adjourn.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 710, motion on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 922.

Madam Speaker, last week, the Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office released the most comprehensive analysis to date, quantifying the domestic lithium resources in the Salton Sea region of Imperial Valley, also known as Lithium Valley in my district.

The analysis found that Lithium Valley's total resources could produce enough lithium to manufacture over 375 million total electric vehicle batteries. This is more than the total number of cars currently on the road in the United States today. That is a lot of lithium and a lot of electric vehicles, and that will lower the cost of electric vehicles for everyone in our Nation.

Lithium Valley is a great example of how domestic solutions exist for our domestic and global supply chains, and my Republican colleagues should be as excited about this analysis as I am. Given their critical mineral supply chain concerns, I would think this is welcome news. However, instead of focusing our efforts on how to best leverage this report to further our domestic lithium production, we are here debating a bill that will do the exact opposite and harm our domestic supply chain efforts.

H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act, would prohibit the EPA from finalizing their proposed rule on multipollutant emissions standards, drastically cutting into the development and production of domestic technological innovations, such as electric vehicles and battery manufacturing, that our Nation needs.

Madam Speaker, I strongly oppose this bill in its entirety. In addition to slowing down our country's ability to compete with China on electric vehicles in the global market, it is a direct attack on our Nation's ability to curb vehicle emissions and help rural and marginalized communities in their own districts suffering from the highest pollution.

My home State of California and, in particular, my district, California's 25th, have significant air pollution challenges.

As a physician, I have seen the public health impacts of air pollution firsthand. These consequences are serious and have very real bad effects on the lives of my constituents. From having to skip work to deal with air pollution-associated health challenges to spending money on unexpected healthcare costs, my constituents are experiencing the negative impacts of air pollution every day.

Recently, the American Thoracic Society released its latest ``Health of the Air'' report, which estimated that we can prevent over 21,000 deaths by cleaning up our air, and a major step in doing so is by reducing vehicle emissions, which this bill will not do.

What we should be doing is following California's lead by taking concrete steps to reduce dangerous air pollution from transportation modalities. Instead, this bill specifically punishes California for its efforts, and that is unacceptable.

California has chosen to make the health of Californians a priority. This bill should do the same for all Americans, and I urge my colleagues to oppose this environmentally unfriendly and disastrous polluter-over-people bill.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and memorialize our fallen heroes from CAL FIRE who gave their lives to serve our communities. Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, and pilot Tony Sousa, all sacrificed their life to protect their community while battling a fire in Cabazon.

Assistant Chief Josh Bischof was a devoted and loyal firefighter, husband, and father who never stopped serving others even in his last moments. He started his career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter in Mountain Center at Volunteer Fire Station 78 and worked his way up through hard work, loyalty, and commitment.

In recent months, before his tragic death, Josh had been promoted to assistant chief with CAL FIRE Southern Region headquarters where he oversaw the training program before transferring to the tactical air operations.

Josh loved his wife of 24 years beyond measure and lived to make his children's dreams come true no matter the cost.

Josh was always up for an adventure and was known for his willingness to help others and was loved and respected by his friends, family, and community.

Now, Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez loved being a firefighter more than anyone could imagine. He was raised in Hemet and graduated from West Valley High School in 1997. He started his fire service career as a firefighter I, serving at Fire Station 41 in Mecca, and was soon promoted to firefighter II at Fire Station 79 in Coachella.

Captain Rodriguez married his wife, Dorothy, in 2001 and had three children: Josh, Haley, and Alexis. He will be remembered for the immense love he had for his family and his passion for staying active by hiking, camping, snowboarding, kayaking, and mountain biking.

Lastly, pilot Tony Sousa of Red Bluff, California, was fulfilling his lifelong dream of being a pilot before the tragic accident.

Before fulfilling his dream, Tony was a dairy worker, a sales representative for Outlaw Kart, a custom harvester, an avid water- skier, and finally a pilot.

In 2022, Tony played a pivotal role in implementing the CAL FIRE Helicopter Coordinator training program. Through this program, Tony guided and mentored a huge cohort of fellow aviators to help them obtain certifications for their aviation careers.

Pilot Sousa is survived by his wife, Rachelle; sons, Connor and Carson; father, Ed; and mother, Sharon.

These men were husbands, sons, fathers, who now leave behind loving and caring families. Their bravery, courage, and devotion to duty will always be remembered.

Madam Speaker, I ask everyone present on the House floor to join me in a moment of silence for the CAL FIRE members--Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, and pilot Tony Sousa.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and memorialize community leader and advocate Linda Dale Shaner.

Linda graduated from Imperial High School in 1964 and dedicated her life to improving the lives of others.

She committed her time and energy to improving the health and well- being of those in her community, especially those in the Imperial Valley.

Despite her own diagnosis, Linda showed her passion for fighting cancer through her advocacy and volunteer work with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network for over 20 years and through her incredible contributions to working on policies at the local, State, and Federal levels.

Linda is survived by her husband Steve, daughters Stephanie and Christina, and grandchildren Steve and Avery.

A family and community mourns the loss of a loved one, an advocate, and a friend.

Today, we recognize her and thank her.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today deeply frustrated that so many Members on the other side of the aisle seem determined to shut down the government and create a national crisis of massive proportions.

Let's be clear. We are not asking Republicans to break new ground. We are only asking them to live up to the bipartisan budget agreement that a majority on both sides of the aisle already voted for and passed the House. We are only asking them to support the essential programs critical to veterans, seniors, childcare programs, working families, farmers, and retirees; the people I care about and came to serve because, again, let's be clear, if they force a government shutdown, these are the people who will suffer most.

Veterans won't receive their full benefits, retirees will lose their economic security and medical care, and our businesses will face massive economic turmoil. For what? A political stunt created by extremists who care more about riling up their base than helping their constituents.

Every one of us here swore an oath to serve our constituents. It is time to live up to that oath.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 369.

Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call Vote No. 370 on H.R. 4368, I mistakenly recorded my vote as Yea when I should have voted Nay.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Erin Doty and celebrate her great accomplishments as my legislative director for the past 8 years.

She led my legislative strategies to great success. Under her leadership, we passed 47 bills into law. Some of our most memorable bills are the Safe Step Act, the Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Act, and the Honoring our PACT Act.

Erin has a heart of gold, a relentless commitment to social justice, and a

special talent to make sure I never missed a vote. She was unwaveringly dedicated, often staying very late for votes, despite me insisting that she go home to rest.

Erin is a wonderful human being, a good friend, and a trusted adviser.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Erin for her service on behalf of the American people, especially the people of California's 36th and now 25th District. We miss you dearly and we wish you luck and look forward to your future endeavors.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of three amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act which include language from three of my bills, the Burn Pits Registry Enhancement Act, the Reducing Exposure to Burn Pits Act, and the Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act.

All three of these amendments are bipartisan here in the House as well as in the Senate. I thank my partners and friends here in the House, Republican Congressmen Wenstrup and Bilirakis.

Fighting to ensure our veterans get the care and benefits they have earned and deserve has always been, still is, and will always be a priority of mine.

Additionally, all three of these amendments are endorsed by the major veterans service organizations, including Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, and the Wounded Warrior Project. All three amendments will help care for servicemembers exposed to toxic burn pits.

Amendment 460 is my Burn Pits Registry Enhancement Act. It would allow veterans in the burn pit registry to designate someone to update the registry with their cause of death. This data is crucial to further identify the vast array of illnesses that are causing burn pit-exposed servicemembers and veterans to die, and it will help doctors recognize early symptoms of life-threatening conditions and save lives.

The next amendment, 464, is my Reducing Exposure to Burn Pits Act. It would require the Department of Defense to submit a report to Congress on what the cost would be to get rid of the use of burn pits. This amendment will get us one step closer to ending the use of dangerous and toxic burn pits to prevent illness.

Finally, amendment 503 is my Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act. It would require the Department of Defense to establish a new risk assessment for toxic exposure for servicemembers who are assigned to work near toxic burn pits. This amendment would also require the Department of Defense to establish an outreach program to inform servicemembers about the harms associated with working near toxic exposures.

These three amendments all aim to save lives and help prevent exposure to toxic burn pits. They do this by requesting the collection of data in the hopes of catching associated illnesses and conditions faster, educating our servicemembers on the harms associated with them, and forging a path forward to end their use.

I have fought for years to bring attention to this issue and its devastating toll on our Nation's servicemembers and their families. Time and time again, I have come before this body to tell the stories of those whose lives were devastated and forever changed by burn pits.

I have told the story of Jennifer Kepner, an Air Force veteran from Cathedral City in my district. Jennifer was an otherwise healthy mother of two who lost her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer likely caused by her exposure to burn pits during her military service.

I have told the story of Alejandro Camacho, from Palm Desert, who developed testicular cancer from the toxic fumes, particulate matter, and carcinogens he breathed in every day during his service in Iraq.

Their stories shed light on the obstacles that veterans across the country have faced and continue to face to get the care and benefits they earned and deserve.

It is for Jennifer, Alejandro, and the millions of other veterans suffering from their burn pit exposures that I founded the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Burn Pits Caucus.

It is our duty to take care of our veterans who sustained injuries and illnesses while they were fighting for our country.

I am encouraged by the steps we have taken to address how we take care of our servicemembers and veterans suffering from toxic exposures.

The historic passage of the Honoring our PACT Act, led by Ranking Member Takano, will provide generational change, giving care and support to veterans and their families suffering from illness due to their toxic exposure.

The foundation of the bill was built upon my bill, the Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act, which removes the burden from veterans to prove that 23 illnesses or conditions, including various cancers that they are suffering from, are due to their service near burn pits.

However, there is more to do to prevent toxic exposures from happening, and I will not stop fighting until our servicemembers are safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight my bill, the Children's Act for Responsible Employment and Farm Safety, or the CARE Act. This bill will protect children in the agricultural industry by creating the same child labor protections that children have in all other industries.

Farm labor is the most dangerous occupation in our Nation, and there are no child labor protections. As a result, three kids get injured a day, and every 3 days, a child dies from injuries sustained in the fields.

Between 2001 and 2015, nearly half of all fatal injuries to young workers occurred in agriculture.

As an emergency physician, the son of farmworkers, and someone who grew up in an impoverished farmworker community with friends who left school to help financially support their families, I want to protect farmworker children across the country.

My bill aims to stop the alarming rate of farm labor injuries and deaths by raising the age of employment and limiting the number of working hours during the schoolday for children--the same as all other industries.

We must protect children. As a father, doctor, and son of farmworkers, I implore my colleagues to join this effort and cosponsor the CARE Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and memorialize a fallen hero, Riverside County Sheriff's Office Deputy Brett Harris, who gave his life serving our communities.

Every day, our law enforcement officers say good-bye to our loved ones and make our community safer no matter the cost.

On May 12, 2023, Riverside County Sheriff Deputy Brett Harris was on duty responding to a request for assistance before he was involved in a serious motor vehicle collision that caused him significant and traumatic head injuries. At only 27 years old, Deputy Harris succumbed to his injuries the following day, surrounded by his family and his wife, Myreia, in a hospital ICU.

Today, a wife and a family mourn a loved one, a public servant, and a friend. Let us honor and cherish the memory of a good man, loving son, and a devoted husband who served our communities well and who loved music, the arts, and video games.

Mr. Speaker, I ask everyone present on the House floor to join me in a moment of silence for Deputy Brett Harris, his family, and every fallen peace officer who has answered the call, put their lives on the line, and sacrificed themselves for our safety.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to memorialize our officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and call for action.

In my district in Riverside County, we have lost six deputy sheriffs in the line of duty since 2020. This is in addition to the losses our local police departments have suffered over the years, including Palm Springs Department Police Officers Lesley Zerebny and Gil Vega, who we lost on October 8, 2016.

It is because of Officers Zerebny and Vega and Deputies Brett Harris, Darnell Calhoun, and Isaiah Cordero that I have authored legislation to support families of fallen officers and why I have fought to improve the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program so that their families can get the support they need.

This National Police Week and all year round, I am standing up for law enforcement officers and their families. I am pushing for support for those grieving the loss of their brothers and sisters in uniform, and I am calling for action on behalf of those who protect and serve our communities every day.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask that Congress recognize May as National Mobility Awareness Month. Millions of Americans across all age groups--six million of whom are veterans that have served our country--have had their mobility impacted due to an injury or a medical diagnosis. Unfortunately, Americans with physical disabilities report experiences of inadequate transportation and mobility options as a major challenge in their daily lives.

This May, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association--an association of automotive mobility professionals dedicated to improving the quality and safety of accessible transportation solutions--is celebrating the 11th National Mobility Awareness Month to increase public awareness of automotive mobility transportation issues and highlight solutions to illustrate that people with disabilities can live active and mobile lifestyles.

Customized auto mobility solutions change lives and allow people with disabilities to pursue and maintain meaningful employment, participate in the activities of daily life, improve their physical and mental health, and enjoy the freedom of the open road. Accessible transportation solutions are truly life-changing, and raising awareness is critical because Americans with disabilities should know about the accessible and adaptive transportation solutions that support a healthy, fulfilling, mobile lifestyle. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and supporting National Mobility Awareness Month.