Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember and celebrate the life of Rita Brock-Perini, who passed away in April. Rita was the first woman in her family to join the military, and she dedicated her life to service and inspired many--including myself--to do more in support of our Nation's veterans.

Rita was born in Phoenix in 1938 as one of ten children. After graduating from St. Mary's High School, she earned her nursing degree and spent ten years working as a nurse before becoming a captain in the Air Force Nursing Corps, serving during one of the most violent periods of the Vietnam war. As one of the more experienced nurses, she cared for not only the soldiers wounded in war, but for her fellow nurses as well. Rita left the Air Force in 1971 to take a job with the American Red Cross, continuing her service to those in need.

Even after retiring in 2003, Rita never lost her passion for service. She became Vice President of the Veterans Medical Leadership Council (VMLC), an organization dedicated to ensuring quality care for veterans in Maricopa County. At VMLC, Rita managed the Returning Warriors program, which worked with the local VA to provide emergency services to veterans.

I am lucky to have been able to consider Rita a friend. She was one of the first people to welcome me to the American Legion when I moved to Phoenix as a young veteran, and I will never forget her kindness and support. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and our community. She will be greatly missed.

Madam Speaker, on January 6 we witnessed a violent coup attempt in our Capitol fueled by the big lie.

Our country continues to face a slow-moving coup in the form of voter suppression.

I have seen firsthand in my home State of Arizona voter suppression laws targeting people of color and a State senate that would rather waste taxpayer money on a sham audit instead of upholding our sacred democratic right to vote.

The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act is critical to protecting the vote in my State and States across the country where restrictive laws are being put into place to strip people of their right to vote. Arizona will stand strong together this weekend. Thousands will gather this Saturday in Phoenix for democracy and voting rights.

Passing this bill today answers their call by guaranteeing access to democracy for every Arizonan.

Today the House showed where it stands. We won't shrink from protecting our democracy and the voting rights of all Americans. It is past time for the U.S. Senate and Senator Sinema to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1605, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022.

I am proud that we in the House and Senate have completed our work on this defense bill and reached bipartisan consensus in support of our national security and our men and women in uniform.

This year's bill contains multiple provisions to address strategic challenges presented by China and Russia, to strengthen our ability to operate in the grey zone of conflict, and to deepen relationships with key allies and partners.

As chair of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, I am proud of the provisions of this bill that represent critical reforms to the defense intelligence enterprise, Special Operations Forces, and our ability to counter weapons of mass destruction.

Our bill creates more agility across the defense intelligence enterprise by expanding information sharing with allies and partners and breaking down barriers to information sharing. This enhances our warfighters' and combatant commanders' ability to counter China and Russia in the information environment.

The bill authorizes investments in emergent technologies for intelligence systems, including increasing funding for Project Maven, military information support operations, and the continued use of Small Business Innovation Research to develop AI-enabled data storage system solutions.

Our bill authorizes a $105 million increase to the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which will enhance our efforts to detect and fight emergent chemical and biological threats and develop medical countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutics.

It also establishes an office and organizational structure and provides authorities to address unidentified aerial phenomena.

Finally, the bill strengthens alliances and partnerships with key countries in the Indo-Pacific, like South Korea and Taiwan, and in Europe. I am particularly proud that for the first time this bill recognizes the Baltic Security Initiative, which will provide robust support to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and further strengthen deterrence in the region at a time of heightened tensions.

I want to thank my subcommittee ranking member, Trent Kelly, for his contribution. I also want to thank the staff, Shannon Green, Jessica Carroll, Zachary Taylor, and Patrick Nevins, as well as my MLA, Michelle, for their tireless efforts.

Madam Speaker, in addition to meeting the most pressing security challenges we face as a Nation today, this bill supports our servicemembers with a 2.7 percent pay raise, implements landmark UCMJ reforms, and combats extremism in the military.

It is a good bill and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Friendly House, which turned 100 years old in 2020.

Friendly House first started in 1920 as part of a local initiative to help immigrants in Arizona obtain citizenship and adjust to the United States. Today, Friendly House's services have expanded to include youth and adult education, family and emergency services, and workforce development, while still maintaining their original commitment to providing immigration and citizenship services. For the past 100 years, Friendly House has advanced America's identity as a nation of opportunity by helping individuals and families fully participate in American life.

After being delayed by a year due to COVID-19, Friendly House will celebrate its 100th anniversary at its 85th signature Tamale Dinner on December 3. For many, tamales represent coming together with loved ones, especially around the holidays. Friendly House's annual Tamale Dinner has been bringing together the Phoenix community for over eight decades, making it the longest standing fundraiser in the State.

I would like to thank Friendly House for 100 years of service to the Phoenix community and wish them the best as they continue to grow their impact over the next 100 years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Reverend Dr. Benjamin N. Thomas Sr., who recently celebrated his 30th Pastoral Anniversary at the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church, the oldest African American church in Arizona.

Reverend Thomas first came to Tanner Chapel in October 1991 and since then has been dedicated to serving not only his church, but the whole Phoenix community. He has served on the boards of several organizations, including as Commissioner of the Arizona Commission on African-American Affairs, member of the Arizona Department of Economic Security Board of Directors, and President of the Arizona Ecumenical Council of Churches. In 2001, he founded Tanner Community Development Corporation to help families meet their spiritual, economic, educational, health, and housing needs. Prior to coming to Phoenix, he served as the pastor of AME churches in Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; and Joplin, Missouri. A dedicated family man, Reverend Thomas is husband to Beverly Thomas, father to Rev. Benjamin Thomas Jr., and a proud grandfather.

Reverend Thomas has been a role model to so many throughout the years. Although he has had opportunities to pastor elsewhere or to move up within church leadership, he has remained dedicated to Tanner Chapel and the Phoenix Community. I would like to congratulate Reverend Thomas on 30 years of pastoring at Tanner Chapel, thank him for his decades of service to the Phoenix community, and wish him the best as he continues his journey with members of the Historic Tanner Chapel AME Church.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and mourn the loss of Lisa Sandomir. Ms. Sandomir was a longtime Phoenix- area educator and principal of Maurice C. Cash Elementary School for the past sixteen years. She passed away tragically last week as the result of a car accident.

Ms. Sandomir was beloved by students, parents, and fellow teachers. During her time as principal, M.C. Cash was named an A+ School of Excellence and, in 2015, she was awarded the prestigious Rodel Exemplary Principal award for her leadership. Ms. Sandomir believed in creating a positive environment where every student was given the opportunity to succeed and often reminded her students to never stop believing in themselves, just as she never stopped believing in them.

My thoughts are with Ms. Sandomir's family, the students and staff of M.C. Cash Elementary School, and the entire Laveen community during this difficult time. Although Ms. Sandomir will be greatly missed, her legacy will be carried on through the thousands of students whose lives she touched.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th annual Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade which will take place on November 6th and 7th. Each year, this event brings together Arizonans, entertainers, vendors, and community resources to celebrate and uplift members of the Arizona LGBTQ+ community and to further Phoenix Pride's mission of creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equal Arizona.

In addition to celebrating the 40th anniversary of Phoenix Pride, I would also like to recognize and thank the Phoenix Pride Community Foundation which has given over $1 million in contributions since its creation. The Phoenix Pride Community Foundation supports the work of non-profits serving the LGBTQ+ community in Arizona through its grants programs and helps LGBTQ+ students and allies achieve their dreams of higher education through its scholarship program.

Since its founding in 1981, Phoenix Pride has been a beacon of hope and acceptance for the Phoenix LGBTQ+ community. Thanks in part to the hard work of Phoenix Pride, Phoenix ranks among the most LGBTQ+- friendly cities in the state, with protections against discrimination and a strong, involved LGBTQ+ community. While significant progress has been made in recent years, Phoenix Pride continues to tirelessly work to combat homophobia, transphobia, and discrimination in Arizona and across the country.

I would like to again congratulate Phoenix Pride on their 40th Festival and Parade, thank them for their work to make Phoenix a more inclusive and just city, and wish them all the best on another 40 years.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and say goodbye to my friend and my brother, Sergeant Major Dan Altieri. We served together in Iraq.

I have one minute to speak about a man who gave thousands of marines years of their life back, one minute to speak about a marine, a patriot, a brother, a legend, who loved us, unconditionally, both on the battlefield and off.

In this magic minute, I must tell you about a marine that is timeless, one who will not be forgotten by his men. He laughed with us in the good times. He mourned with us in the bad times. He was always ready to be there and say: ``Hey, brother, how are you doing?'' And like a father that many of us never had, he would always say: ``I am proud of you.''

My minute is up, my Sergeant Major is gone, but his legend will live on.

Semper fi, Sergeant Major Altieri.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4350, the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2022.

I congratulate my colleagues for fulfilling our obligation to debate and pass the National Defense Authorization Act. This year's bill contains multiple provisions to address strategic challenges presented by China, to confront our adversaries in the gray zone of conflict, and to strengthen the relationships with key allies and partners.

As chair of the Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee, I am proud of the provisions in this bill that represent critical reforms to the defense intelligence enterprise, special operations forces, our ability to counter weapons of mass destruction.

Our bill creates more agility across the defense intelligence enterprise by breaking down barriers to information sharing to enhance warfighters and combatant commanders in their ability to counter China and Russia in the information environment and focusing on expanding access to partners such as India and our steadfast Nordic partners such as Finland.

The bill further supports rigorous oversight of our security posture in Afghanistan and includes provisions to better understand the Department's plans to address the threat environment while postured in an over-the-horizon capacity. Importantly, the bill also contains $500 million in relocation support for Afghan SIV holders.

Finally, our bill authorizes an increase of $105 million to the Cooperative Threat Reduction Program, which will enhance our efforts to detect and fight emergent chemical and biological threats and develop medical countermeasures such as vaccines and therapeutics.

Most importantly, I want to thank subcommittee Ranking Member Trent Kelly for his contribution to this bill and his bipartisanship, which helped create the foundations of such a strong bill during a particularly challenging year. I would also like to thank the staff-- Shannon Green, Jessica Carroll, Zachary Taylor, and Patrick Nevins--for their tireless efforts to get it across the finish line.

Colleagues, in addition to meeting the most pressing security challenges we face as a Nation today, this bill supports our servicemembers with a 2.7 percent pay raise, increases parental leave for military families, improves women's healthcare, and combats extremism in the military.

Madam Speaker, this is a good bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate The Black Theatre Troupe's 50th season. Founded in 1970 by civil rights activist Helen K. Mason, this Phoenix troupe is one of the oldest continuously operating Black theater companies in the United States. Despite having to push back their 50th anniversary season by a year due to COVID-19, the show will go on as The Black Theatre Troupe returns to the stage this month.

The Black Theatre Troupe was born of the need to create a space for Black voices to be heard in the Southwest. Today, it has grown into a nationally recognized, award-winning theater company that continues to tackle issues of racism, prejudice, and discrimination. Fifty years later, The Black Theatre Troupe remains a vital platform for illuminating the Black experience and culture, provides unique opportunities for multiethnic and underserved artists to train and perform, and educates and entertains a diverse audience.

Throughout its history, The Black Theatre Troupe has faced many challenges--lack of funding, a fire that destroyed its stage, and even a global health pandemic--but thanks to the tenacity and enthusiasm of its members and supporters, the Troupe has continued to grow and thrive. I'd like to congratulate The Black Theatre Troupe on 50 seasons and wish them all the best for 50 more.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Jimmie Munoz, Sr., who passed away on August 16 due to complications from COVID-19. Jimmie was a longtime south Phoenix community leader whom I had the honor of knowing.

Jimmie was the son of Mexican immigrants who grew up in the former Golden Gate barrio in Phoenix and took great pride in where he came from. He served in the U.S. Army for six years, during which he met and married his wife, Norma. After retiring from the Army, Jimmie returned to Arizona, where throughout the course of his life he started several different businesses including a ranch, a telecommunications business, and a local hangout called The Batters Cage.

For Jimmie, family and community always came first, which is why he and Norma helped start the South Mountain Youth Development Association and organized an annual Cinco de Mayo festival. As part of his commitment to his community, Jimmie was elected constable of the South Mountain Justice Court in 1998. This was a difficult and sometime dangerous job that Jimmie conducted with compassion and dedication until his retirement in 2017.

Jimmie was a truly kind man whose spirit will be greatly missed in the south Phoenix community. My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

It is because of the courage and sacrifices of civil rights leaders like Congressman John Lewis that we were able to pass the Voting Rights Act of 1965. But for over a decade, we have witnessed a new era of voter suppression and Jim Crow laws pursued by Republican State legislatures, including in my State of Arizona.

These attacks on our right to vote are nothing new. For too long, Black, Latino, and Native American voters have overcome incredible barriers to cast their votes.

That is not how American democracy should work. That is why Representative Mondaire Jones and I were proud to add a provision to this bill today that bans discriminatory voting laws that harm voters of color.

I strongly urge my colleagues to pass this bill and this provision with it.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th anniversary of Valle del Sol Community Health, which the organization celebrated in 2020. For the past fifty years Valle del Sol has inspired positive change by empowering people to live healthy, productive lives.

Founded in 1970, Valle del Sol's original mission was to make behavioral health and social services more available and accessible to the Latino community and other underserved populations. Today, Valle del Sol's services range from primary health care to substance abuse treatment and youth leadership programs, all with a focus on providing culturally competent and holistic care. Valle del Sol has now grown to eight locations across the Phoenix area and 50 school and community co- locations to provide services to people where they learn, work, and live.

The coronavirus pandemic presented an unprecedented challenge to Valle del Sol, which they quickly rose to meet. The amazing team at Valle del Sol has been working tirelessly for over a year to test and, now, vaccinate high-risk individuals and frontline workers against COVID-19. Their work helps protect not only their patients, but the entire Phoenix community.

I wish to congratulate Valle del Sol and thank them for their work to make our community healthier, happier, and more empowered. I look forward to continuing to work with this outstanding organization.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 256 to repeal the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force that sent me and thousands of other young Americans into war in Iraq.

Even though the mission in Iraq has been over for almost a decade, this authorization remains on the books. This is not a mistake or an oversight. It is a dangerous abdication of Congress' responsibility.

The longer this AUMF is on the books, the more opportunity it has to be abused as a blank check for military action in the Middle East without the input of the American people.

The longer this AUMF is on the books, the longer we in Congress are bending our own moral and constitutional duty to debate and to decide when to send American soldiers into harm's way and to look into the eyes of servicemen and -women when we do. We cannot run from this incredible responsibility any longer.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this bill and retaking Congress' constitutional role in exercising our war powers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 2726, the VA FOIA Reform Act.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chair Takano and Ranking Member Bost for bringing this bill to the floor and Representative Murphy for co- leading this important legislation with me.

The bill is a simple, bipartisan measure to improve efficiency and transparency at the VA.

As we all know, transparency is critical in ensuring that the VA is serving our veterans as effectively as possible. Veterans, their caregivers, VSOs, and the public all deserve easy and timely access to information about veteran care, VA performance, and other data when requested.

Unfortunately, VA currently has among the worst backlogs of Freedom of Information Act requests across Federal agencies. Among these backlogged requests are inquiries about VA performance and decisions, as well as requests from veterans for their own personal records.

My bill will ensure that the VA takes concrete steps to reduce its FOIA backlogs so that these veterans get answers. It also calls for the National Archives and Records Administration to review VA's FOIA process.

Finally, the bill requires the VA to analyze the root causes of its FOIA backlog and to identify technology needs and procedural improvements that will increase efficiency in responding to requests.

This straightforward bill is a commonsense step toward improving the flow of information from the VA to all the stakeholders it serves.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support it today, and I look forward to working to get it signed into law.