Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Sarah Katz, an empathetic, driven, and compassionate young woman, whose life was tragically cut short 3 years ago today.

A native of Jersey City and graduate of Elisabeth Irwin High School in New York, Sarah devoted her life to helping others, working with the American Heart Association and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to raise awareness about heart health and the importance of CPR.

Sarah was admired by so many in our community, especially her classmates and mentors at the University of Pennsylvania.

Above all else, she was deeply loved by her family, her parents, Jill and Michael, and her sister, Dana. Amid unimaginable grief, her family turned to action, honoring Sarah's life by advocating for change.

It has been a privilege to join them in this effort, introducing the Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act to save lives and prevent more families from having to endure the pain that the Katz family has felt. Every step of the way, their love for Sarah has been at the forefront of their advocacy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in this important effort and help drive change that will save lives. May Sarah's memory always be a blessing.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic albums in American music history, Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. Released on August 25, 1975, this landmark album did more than launch a young songwriter from Long Branch, New Jersey into stardom; it became the soundtrack for countless Americans and an anthem for all those blessed to call New Jersey home.

Songs like ``Thunder Road'', ``Jungleland'', and the titular ``Born to Run'' demonstrate Springsteen's unmatched ability to blend vivid storytelling set in the incredible mosaic that is New Jersey with the generational musical talent of the E Street Band. Born to Run has stood the test of time and is remembered today as a timeless masterpiece about our daily struggles and chasing our dreams no matter the odds.

Over the past five decades, Bruce Springsteen has become more than just an iconic artist. He is a staple of American culture. Known as ``The Boss'', he has sold more than 150 million records, won 20 Grammy Awards, and been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His philanthropic efforts supporting food banks, veteran organizations, and anti-poverty initiatives reflect the values of compassion, solidarity and looking after each other that have always been the foundation of his music. And even with all of his success, you can still find him near the streets, venues, boardwalks and people that shaped him and his music.

Mr. Speaker, the 50th anniversary of Born to Run is not just a celebration of an album, it is a recognition of Bruce Springsteen's enduring impact on our country. For more than half a century he has given voice to the struggles and aspirations of the people we encounter in all our lives--the dreamers and the believers, the down-but-not-out, and the men and women whose stars may have faded but still burn inside them. But perhaps what separates Springsteen from his peers is that he continues to create music that captures the moment and times we are in.

On behalf of the people of New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District, and the millions of Springsteen fans worldwide, it is a privilege to honor this important anniversary and to thank him for all his contributions to our country, and most notably, to the great Garden State.

Madam Speaker, I rise today frustrated by the chaos and harm that is being caused by House Republicans under the direction of the Trump administration. This week, the

House is coming to a standstill because Republicans refuse to address the Epstein files despite Trump's repeated commitments to the American people to do so.

However, their inability to deliver on their promises runs much deeper. Trump promised to end inflation and make America affordable again, yet inflation rose 2.7 percent in June, and the majority of Americans rightfully blame the White House for driving up the prices of food and groceries.

Trump said his mass deportation agenda would only target violent criminals, but over 90 percent of detainees being held in New Jersey have no criminal conviction.

Trump said he would improve the Affordable Care Act, yet he just signed a bill into law that cuts over $1 trillion from healthcare and will cause an average ACA premium increase of over $1,200 for people in our district.

Amidst the chaos, the inaction, and the harm that is being caused in communities nationwide, Democrats will continue to do everything we can to protect and uplift those whom we represent. We will continue to present an alternative pathway forward, one that fulfills the promises of this country and delivers the results that all Americans deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1717, the Communications Security Act.

One of the many vital functions that the Federal Communications Commission serves is ensuring that our Nation's communications systems are prepared to deal with cybersecurity threats and natural disasters.

We know that threats to critical infrastructure that put our communities in harm's way are on the rise, and we need expert collaboration at the FCC to ensure that our communications networks remain reliable when we need them the most.

Countless tragic and heartbreaking incidents have highlighted the urgent need to bolster these networks, from the recent flooding in Texas, to Hurricane Helene last year, to Superstorm Sandy that devastated my home State of New Jersey in 2012.

In these moments, our ability to communicate with one another and with emergency responders is vital. That is why the FCC should have a permanent advisory council that can provide recommendations regarding both the rapid restoration of communications services in the event of widespread or major network disruptions and the steps communications providers can take to help secure these networks and everyone who relies on them.

My bill would codify the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council, or CSRIC, which focuses on improving next- generation 911, emergency preparedness, network security, resiliency, and interoperability.

Time and again, CSRIC has improved the reliability, availability, and performance of our communications networks during natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and cybersecurity attacks. It is common sense that we should make this council permanent.

The bill specifies that CSRIC must include representatives from a wide range of stakeholders from the communications industry, academia, the public-interest sector, and State, local, and Tribal Governments, ensuring that everyone is at the table to help keep our communities safe and secure.

In a time when oversight is key, this bill would require biennial reporting to the FCC, Congress, and the public, with recommendations on future improvements and updates to keep all of us and the American public informed.

I thank my colleague and good friend from the great State of New Jersey, Ranking Member Pallone, for helping move this bill forward. I also thank my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce) for joining me in this bipartisan effort.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of the bill.

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, 10 years ago today, our Nation made a remarkable step toward equality with the legalization of gay marriage. This was a day that came after decades of advocacy by individuals and organizations across the country, including Garden State Equality in my home State of New Jersey.

The rights of our friends and neighbors are under continuous attack from the Trump administration including by cutting HIV treatment and prevention and rolling back antidiscrimination protections.

More than 1.3 million Americans have sought lifesaving help by making the call to 988. Yet this administration has eliminated funding for those specialized services. These are blatant attempts to harm the LGBTQ community that has already overcome so much and made incredible strides towards equality.

It is here in this Chamber that we should be standing beside them and fighting for them. When we are elected here to serve here in the people's House, it is our obligation to fight for everyone that we have the privilege of representing.

Mr. Speaker, that is what I will always do and what I urge my colleagues across the aisle to do, as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions of Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer as she is honored by Elizabeth's Promise Awards. Dr. Hugelmeyer is a distinguished educator and the Superintendent of Elizabeth Public Schools. Her unwavering commitment to academic excellence and her visionary leadership have profoundly impacted the students, educators, and the broader community of Elizabeth.

Dr. Hugelmeyer has dedicated her career to public education and to serving her community. She has worked in education for over 27 years and has served as a classroom teacher, Supervisor of Grants, Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and Superintendent of Elizabeth Public Schools. Her distinguished career demonstrates her unparalleled devotion to the students of Elizabeth's public schools.

Throughout her tenure, Dr. Hugelmeyer has championed initiatives aimed at enhancing educational outcomes and fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. She has lead the Elizabeth Public School District with distinction through many challenging times, including the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic. Her renowned leadership has not only elevated the standards of education within Elizabeth Public Schools, but has also served as an inspiration to countless students, educators, and administrators.

The House extends our deepest gratitude to Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer for her exemplary service and unwavering dedication to the field of education. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the Elizabeth community and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm that sensitive data for millions of Americans is at risk. Many of us have heard of the scams, data breaches, and hacks that have plagued businesses and individuals for years.

Unfortunately, the newest threat to our personal data comes from within the Federal Government. Over the past 3 months, Elon Musk's DOGE employees embedded themselves in dozens of Federal departments and agencies without any guardrails or protections put in place by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle.

We know this data is extremely valuable to bad actors and foreign adversaries. In fact, after DOGE infiltrated the National Labor Relations Board, suspicious attempts were made to access the data from an IP address in Russia.

Congress should be working to fulfill our obligations to the American people and safeguard their data. Instead, my colleagues across the aisle have seemingly left the door open for DOGE and anyone else to potentially access and misuse their constituents' personal information.

It is not just the recklessness that should concern everyone across the country. It is the fact that the data being held by the government is being weaponized by the Trump administration.

The IRS recently entered into an agreement with ICE to share information about immigrants. The same is true of data on affording housing recipients. If we allow them to use this data now, then what will stop them from using information from other agencies in the future against other groups of Americans?

Mr. Speaker, at a recent Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, we heard from experts in this field who were invited there by my Republican colleagues that as we seek to harness the growth of AI, we must put guardrails in place to protect all Americans' sensitive information, which we know is a target-rich environment for foreign adversaries.

My colleagues don't have to take my word for it. Just listen to the testimony of the people whom Republicans invited here to testify. Malicious actors do not care what someone's political party is or where they live before they steal our data. Our response to this threat should be bipartisan.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to stand alongside House Democrats in calling upon the Trump administration, the Office of Management and Budget, and DOGE to clarify

what actions they are taking to safeguard the most sensitive taxpayer data that exists on our Federal systems. If they don't act, then we should here in Congress.

Mr. Speaker, last month, an air tourism helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City killing six people, including three young children.

This tragedy is yet another example of the threat that nonessential helicopters pose to public safety, especially in the congested airspace over New Jersey and New York.

Since 1983, there have been at least 30 helicopter crashes in our region, resulting in at least 31 fatalities. We also continue to hear from countless New Jersey residents whose lives are upended by the constant, incessant noise of helicopters traveling at low altitudes over our neighborhoods.

Since taking office, we have consistently worked to address these challenges, from the noise and nuisance they cause to the safety risks that have been well documented.

In the 118th Congress, we introduced two pieces of legislation and directly engaged with the FAA to address these issues, hosting a workshop in Jersey City with stakeholders and local leaders, but this crash is a clarion call to every level of government that further urgent action is needed.

That is why, along with my colleagues from New Jersey and New York, I introduced the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, which bans all nonessential helicopter traffic within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty.

It is clear that the helicopter industry is not a good actor or one willing to proactively take measures to protect our communities. In the wake of this most recent tragedy, one air tourism

company offered discounts to their customers for flights in our region. They are clearly more interested in profit than public safety, making it abundantly clear that they should no longer be allowed to operate.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this bill so that we can protect lives in our communities and ensure that tragedies like this one never happen again.

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Buddy Baseball in Bayonne

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Buddy Baseball in Bayonne.

Every year, more than 100 children and young adults with special needs gather for a season of Buddy Baseball, giving everyone the opportunity to succeed, play, and enjoy this incredible game.

This year, I was proud to march in the parade to celebrate their opening day and commemorate the opening of their brand-new field. Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to cheer on this year's players, and it was heartwarming to see our community come together for such a great cause.

The city of Bayonne is leading the way in bringing communities together in an inclusive way, lifting up those around us, and showing what we can achieve when we work together.

Mr. Speaker, I thank everyone who made this dream a reality and for reminding us what we can do when we come together as one in a community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against the administration's immigration enforcement policies.

For months the President and House Republicans have said that they are only targeting violent criminals.

Why is it, then, that last week ICE attempted to deport a constituent of mine who had been granted legal protections against removal under the Convention Against Torture?

This woman, the victim of unspeakable crimes in her home country, came here to the United States for her safety which is now being undermined by this administration.

Mr. Speaker, imagine being a United States citizen and the horror you would feel when your family member, again, someone who had been granted legal protection, is taken in the middle of the night and driven to Mexico, a country to which she has no ties.

How is this making our country safer?

How is this upholding the ideals of our Nation?

Mr. Speaker, when this administration talks about mass deportations, this is what they mean: taking people in the middle of the night who have a right to be here and trying to remove them to foreign countries.

My office is doing everything we can to help this woman and her family, but it begs the question: If this is how the administration treats someone with an attorney and the support of a Member of Congress, what does that mean for all those who don't have anyone fighting for them? Who is speaking up for them? If we say nothing, then what does that say about us?

This can't be what we stand for as a country. As a grandson of immigrants and the Representative of a proud immigrant community, it is something that I will always fight against.

GOP Attempting to Undermine Separation of Powers

Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, the Trump administration and House Republicans have set their sights on the Federal judiciary, calling for unprecedented changes to our courts, attacking the character of dedicated Federal judges, and attempting to undermine the separation of powers that has upheld our democracy for centuries.

As an attorney by trade, I understand how concerning this is for our Nation's future. In this moment, we cannot be silent nor treat these attacks as normal.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to read excerpts from the American Bar Association's statement on the Republican assault on our judiciary into the record.

``There have now been statements by officials criticizing judges for not following the last people. Judges swear oaths to follow the law, not public opinion polling or political chatter or what someone contends is the will of the people. The Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court wrote in his `2024 Year End Report on the Federal Judiciary': ` . . . Attempts to intimidate judges for their rulings in cases are inappropriate and should be vigorously opposed.'

``We may disagree with interpretation of case law, but it is unacceptable to personally target judges just because we disagree with their ruling. We cannot have a judicial system where the government seeks to remove judges simply because they do not rule as the government desires. Considering the increasing physical threats to judges, these are clearly efforts to intimidate judges and our courts.''

``We reject efforts to undermine the courts and the profession. We will not stay silent in the face of efforts to remake the legal profession into something that rewards those who agree with the government and punishes those who do not. Words and actions matter. And the intimidating words and actions we have heard must end.''

``Consistent with the Chief Justice's report, these efforts cannot be sanctioned or normalized. There are clear choices facing our profession. We can choose to remain silent and allow these acts to continue or we can stand for the rule of law and values we hold dear. We call upon the entire profession, including lawyers who serve in elected positions, to speak out against intimidation. We acknowledge that there are risks to standing up and addressing these important issues. But if the ABA and lawyers do not speak, who will speak for the organized bar? Who will speak for the judiciary? Who will protect our system of justice? If we don't speak now, when will we speak?

``The American Bar Association has chosen to stand and speak. Now is the time for all of us to speak with one voice. We invite you to stand with us.''

Mr. Speaker, more than 700,000 New Jerseyans sent me here to be their voice in Congress and to address the challenges they face each and every day.

Many of those constituents have sent me messages advocating for what is most important to them. Thousands have written asking me to protect Medicare, Social Security, and Medicaid. Hundreds more wrote about the rising costs of childcare and housing. Many have asked me to stop the scourge of gun violence in our communities.

Not a single person, not one, wrote about loosening regulations on their commercial walk-in coolers and refrigerators.

Why, then, are those the bills that Republicans brought to the floor this

week? Maybe it is because Republicans don't have solutions to the challenges that most Americans are facing. Maybe it is because the Republican budget slashes billions of dollars from Medicaid and food assistance to the most vulnerable amongst us. Maybe that is why they prefer to talk about refrigerators.

House Democrats, on the other hand, continue to present an alternative to the American people and fight for the progress that they deserve. Democrats are ready to lower the costs of childcare by expanding the number of childcare facilities across the country. We are pushing for record new investments in affordable housing and incentives for first-time home buyers.

That is what the American people are asking for, and that is what House Democrats are fighting for.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of our Federal judiciary and the judges who work tirelessly to uphold and defend our democracy.

The hypocrisy that we are seeing unfold among our colleagues across the aisle and in this administration is deeply concerning. The separation of powers is a cornerstone of our democracy. Each and every day Federal judges work as a check on the powers of both the legislative and executive branches, regardless of who is in charge. This is a good thing and something each and every one of us should be working to protect.

Instead, our colleagues across the aisle are seeking to impeach Federal judges, calling for unprecedented changes to our judicial system, and trampling on the most basic and fundamental tenets of our Constitution. How much more hypocritical can they be?

The Biden administration faced 133 multistate lawsuits from Republican attorneys general. Texas Attorney General Paxton alone filed over 100 lawsuits against the Biden administration. Republicans are now seeking to undermine and attack the same judiciary they used to take the Biden administration to court, and they are personally attacking judges whose decisions they disagree with.

Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to stand against this reckless attack on our judiciary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated member of our community, Ms. Kim Nesbitt Good.

Together with her husband, Ted, Kim owns the Nesbitt Funeral Home in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In this role, she builds on the legacy of her parents, who started the business nearly 100 years ago.

Kim's advocacy and accomplishments run much deeper than just her business acumen. When it comes to uplifting Black voices and making real progress in the fight for equality and justice in the city of Elizabeth and beyond, Kim Nesbitt Good's legacy is unparalleled.

As the founder of Friends, an organization of Black women dedicated to the success and prosperity of their community, Kim has been a leading voice for creating change for women, families, and our community as a whole. As the founder of the Friends of New Jersey Legacy Foundation, she is working tirelessly to recognize Black history and honor the trailblazers who paved the way toward progress for generations of people in Elizabeth and Union County.

As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important that we uplift the stories of those who continue to make a difference in our communities. Kim Nesbitt Good is an excellent neighbor, a friend to so many, and a tireless advocate for the causes she is so deeply passionate about.

It is a privilege to represent her here in Congress, and on behalf of the entire Eighth Congressional District of New Jersey, I thank her for her commitment to serving others.

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Gary Greenberg

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the incredible life and legacy of Gary Greenberg, who passed away last week.

Gary embodied the meaning of public service, community, and care for others. He devoted his life and career to serving our youth as executive director and CEO of the Hudson County Boys and Girls Club since 1996 and in various roles within the organization prior to that.

Gary was a force in Hudson County. Even if you didn't have the privilege of knowing him personally, it is all but guaranteed that you benefited from his impact on our community as a whole.

Gary was selfless, devoted, and cared deeply about children and young adults who needed a helping hand. He went above and beyond in this role, working with teenagers in the club's Keystone Leadership Group to advocate for better mental health services in our State.

Our community is stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive because of Gary Greenberg, and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him and were impacted by his extraordinary life.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my incredible colleague Glenn Ivey for convening us here today and for the opportunity to speak.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with our Nation's Federal workers, including the more than 22,000 who live and work in the great State of New Jersey.

Our Federal workforce is a vital cornerstone of our work to protect the most vulnerable amongst us, grow our economy, protect our national security, and to keep us safe.

In Newark, our air traffic controllers and TSA agents devote their careers to keeping our skies safe and getting us to where we need to go safely.

Social Security employees in the Hoboken field office assist our seniors and those with disabilities in receiving the benefits they have earned and depend on.

USCIS officials in Newark assist immigrant families with processing their visas, green cards, and applications for naturalization.

Our Nation runs because of Federal workers, and an attack on them is an attack on the services that Americans rely on every day.

Along with my Democratic colleagues, I want to make our message to Federal employees clear. We have your back, and we will not back down. We will continue to oppose this administration's baseless and lawless attempts to diminish the important work you do every day.

Our civil service is a merit system protected by the right to due process, and attempts to implement Schedule F, union bust, and undermine our collective bargaining process will be met with swift and unyielding resistance from me, the Congressional Labor Caucus, and my colleagues on this side of the aisle.

The decision to enter public service is an honorable one, and millions of Federal workers and retirees who have made that decision deserve our support.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the talented students of Bayonne High School Model United Nations team who returned from Dubai this week where they represented our community and our great State at the Harvard Model United Nations conference.

Under the leadership of Colleen Rushnak, these young men and women are learning the critical skills of leadership, problem-solving, and international diplomacy. I had the opportunity to visit with them recently and couldn't be prouder that they represented us on the global stage.

Congratulations to the Fighting Bees. You made our entire community proud.