Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment. For over 20 years, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense have successfully evaluated land-based wind facilities and ensured they do not interfere with military or FAA operations. There is absolutely no reason to think that their evaluations of offshore wind facilities will be any less rigorous.

This amendment will require the Department of Transportation's inspector general to submit a study on the effects of offshore wind on commercial and military technical abilities such as radar, sonar, and navigation. However, these issues were already fully considered by experts at the Department of Defense, FAA, Coast Guard, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management during the existing permitting process.

Mr. Chair, I urge everyone to vote against this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, each year, through the Women of the Year Award, my office extends special recognition to women on the Central Coast who have made a difference in our community. I would like to recognize one outstanding Women of the Year Award recipient, Lisa Kawamura of Arroyo Grande, California.

For more than 25 years, Lisa has been a dedicated lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She has taught hundreds of students in public speaking, performance studies, and forensics, leaving a lasting mark as a mentor and role model. Beyond the classroom, she has served as the longtime advisor to the Nikkei Student Union Club, ensuring that students have a supportive community and opportunities for leadership.

Lisa's leadership extends well beyond the campus. As President of the Cal Poly Chapter of the California Faculty Association and as Chair of the statewide Committee on Contract Development and Bargaining Strategy, she has been a steadfast advocate for fair pay, equity, and improved working conditions for all California State University faculty. She also represents her peers on the CFA statewide Board of Directors, amplifying the voices of faculty throughout the CSU system. Her commitment to equity is evident in her leadership of CalFac's Anti- Racism and Social Justice workshops, which she regularly co-leads across California. As a Japanese-American woman and longtime Central Coast resident, she brings both lived experience and deep empathy to her work, encouraging other women of color to speak up, advocate for themselves, and pursue leadership opportunities.

Lisa's service to the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American community is equally significant. She is a member of the CFA APIDA Caucus and previously served as Chair, working to advance visibility and representation at Cal Poly and across the CSU system. She is also active with Tsuru for Solidarity, a social justice organization dedicated to supporting immigrant rights and providing healing spaces for those impacted by incarceration--both historically during World War II and in the present day.

Lisa Kawamura is well known for her kindness, availability, and integrity. She is ``only a phone call away'' for her colleagues and students, and she consistently uplifts others by making sure their voices are heard. She has become a trusted mentor, dynamic public speaker, and respected leader in the Central Coast community.

I am honored to recognize Lisa Kawamura for her lifelong commitment to education, equity, and justice. I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an exceptional woman of California's 24th Congressional District, Lisa Kawamura, for her outstanding service to her students, colleagues, and community.

Mr Speaker, each year, I have the privilege of honoring women on the Central Coast who have made a meaningful impact in our community through the Women of the Year Award. This year, it is my pleasure to recognize Cherie Eulau of Ventura, California, for her outstanding contributions to education, civic engagement, and global service.

Cherie retired in 2024 after 27 years of dedicated teaching in the Ventura Unified School District, where she served at both Foothill Technology High School and Buena High School. Throughout her career, she was a passionate educator, mentor, and advocate for equity and social justice in education. In response to a concerning incident that highlighted the need for greater cultural awareness and inclusion in local schools, Ventura Unified launched an Ethnic Studies program to foster understanding and representation. Cherie played a leading role in this important initiative at Foothill Tech, developing and teaching the school's first ethnic studies course. Her leadership created a welcoming environment where students could explore diverse histories, engage in meaningful dialogue, and build a more inclusive school community.

Cherie also made it a priority to connect students with opportunities for real-world impact, building partnerships with community organizations such as the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE). Through these collaborations, her students gained hands-on experience in civic engagement and learned how to make meaningful contributions to their community.

Beyond her work locally, Cherie extended her commitment to education globally. She volunteered in Sierra Leone, teaching journalism educators in a rural village to improve their English skills and enhance their understanding of ethical journalism practices. Inspired by the experience, Cherie and her colleagues--supported by the Foothill Tech community--fundraised over $50,000 and built a school for the village in 2011, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.

It is with great pride that I honor Cherie Eulau as a 2025 Woman of the Year for her enduring contributions to education, her advocacy for equity, and her global impact. Her work has inspired students, empowered communities, and demonstrated the power of education as a force for positive change.

Mr. Speaker, with his retirement as President of the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara Mission Archive-Library on January 17th, 2025, John Gherini, Esq. concluded over thirty-seven years of distinguished service to the Archive-Library. Established as public non-profit educational corporation in 1967, the Santa Barbaran Mission Archive-Library serves as a unique repository of Mission

Era California records, documents, and artifacts. As Professor Emeritus Robert Senkewicz of Santa Clara University, has written. ``SBMAL is a unique and indispensable resource. Its artifacts and documents tell the deep and complex story of California's diverse peoples--especially Native Americans, Latinos, and Anglos--in a way that is unmatched anywhere else in the state.''

John Gherini has worked long and hard behind the scenes to ensure the continued operation of the Archive-Library. Serving as legal counsel to the Board and dealing with bequests and grants in order to build the endowment essential to its continued function. His membership on the Board, which began in 1987, has resulted in numerous acquisitions not only of funds, but also of the papers of such distinguished scholars as Norman Neuerburg, the art historian behind the construction of the Getty Villa, and Doyce B. Nunis, Jr., longtime editor of the journal of the Historical Society of Southern California.

Besides his encouragement of other scholars, Mr. Gherini has written two books on the history of Santa Cruz Island, where he spent much time as a young man working with his family on the island, which his great- great-grandfather, Justinian Caire once owned in its entirety: Santa Cruz Island: A History of Conflict and Diversity and the two volume Santa Cruz Island, An Illustrated History provide rich and detailed histories of the largest of the Channel Islands. The second work ``explores the geological origins of the island and traces the cultural history from the native inhabitants, over 13,000 years ago, to the establishment of the Channel Islands National Park in 1980 and current efforts to preserve and protect the island.'' (Santa Barbara Historical Museum website). Mr. Gherini has been a generous benefactor and deeply involved with many other organizations in the Santa Barbara area, including Bishop Garcia Diego High School.

On July 25, 2025, the Mission Archive-Library, at a special event in honor of Mr. Gherini, will name its exhibit space, which includes among other things large paintings by the distinguished turn of the twentieth-century California landscape and architecture artist Edwin Deakin, the Gherini Gallery. I urge my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mr. John Gherini and the Santa Barbara Mission Archive- Library on this auspicious occasion.

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 4275, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025.

This bill is a prime example of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's bipartisanship under the leadership of Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and Chairman Ezell.

As ranking member of the subcommittee, I am proud of all the good work that we have done on this bill to ensure that we reauthorize, enhance, and support the critical missions of the U.S. Coast Guard to save lives, protect our maritime environment, and prioritize servicemembers both in and out of the workplace.

These significant investments in the service signal our confidence in the capability of the Coast Guard to conduct each of their diverse missions to better serve the American people.

This bill puts coasties first by addressing the need for more affordable and quality housing. It also provides enhancement of our coasties' quality of life, such as family leave policies, career flexibility, tuition assistance incentives, and behavioral healthcare.

Equally important, this bill capitalizes on the extensive work that former Commandant, Admiral Fagan, did to make institutional changes to address sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Our coasties deserve better, and this legislation provides oversight and the tools needed for the Coast Guard to prevent these crimes, protect victims, and hold perpetrators accountable.

Moreover, I am proud that this bill includes several provisions that I sponsored regarding U.S. merchant mariners. This bill tackles long outdated methods for processing mariner credentials by investing in and revamping the Coast Guard's process.

This bill also improves merchant mariner credentialing tests by ensuring the most relevant and technologically critical elements are included. We want the best mariners in the industry, and by removing outdated entry barriers, we will help ensure steady, long-term employment opportunities.

Madam Speaker, I, once again, thank Chairman Graves for his leadership and bipartisan collaboration in crafting this bill. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues on this important legislation, and I look forward to seeing it pass into law.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen).

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Gillen).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I support H.R. 4275, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. I encourage all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary American and beloved member of the Santa Barbara community, Paul David Lopez, as he celebrates his 100th birthday on June 22, 2025.

Born in Santa Barbara, California, in 1925 in a home his father built by hand, Mr. Lopez's life has been a shining example of courage, service, and commitment to country and community. A proud son of the Eastside, Paul attended Franklin Elementary, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara High School. In 1943, during what would have been his senior year, Paul made the brave and selfless decision to leave school and enlist in the United States Navy during World War II.

Assigned as a 20-millimeter antiaircraft gunner aboard the USS Maryland, Paul served with distinction in some of the most consequential battles in the Pacific theater, including Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa. He survived torpedo attacks, kamikaze strikes, and the historic Typhoon Louise while stationed in Okinawa. His dedication and bravery reflect the very best of our Greatest Generation.

After returning home in 1946, Paul built a new life while continuing to serve. He was later recalled to Active Duty during the Korean war, where he was stationed in the Marshall Islands as part of a Seabee unit maintaining critical airfields. Upon his second honorable discharge, Paul began a long and respected career at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he worked for over four decades, retiring in 1990 as the longest-serving employee in the campus' history.

Paul married Gladys Cota in 1958, becoming a devoted husband and loving father to Marcia, Ronald, and Paula. Known fondly as ``Uncle Paulie'' and ``The Mayor of Chino Street,'' he and Gladys became cherished pillars of Santa Barbara's Westside, mentoring and caring for generations of local children with wisdom and heart.

In a touching full-circle moment, Paul walked down the hill at Peabody Stadium in 2013 to receive his long-overdue Santa Barbara High School diploma, graduating alongside his grandson, Diego, nearly 70 years after he left school to serve his country.

Mr. Speaker, on this occasion of his 100th birthday, we recognize Paul David Lopez not just for the longevity of his years, but for the richness of his legacy. He is a war hero, a public servant, a family man, and a treasured friend to so many. It is an honor to celebrate his century of life, sacrifice, and service.

Happy 100th birthday to Paul. I thank him for everything he has given--to his Nation, to his community, and to all of us.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of my bill, the American Cargo for American Ships Act, and to express my thanks for the bipartisan leadership of Chair Sam Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and also Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chair Ezell, who cosponsored this important legislation.

My bill strengthens the American merchant marine by guaranteeing that 100 percent of U.S. cargo generated by the Department of Transportation will be transported on U.S.-flagged ships. It is that simple.

This bill is the maritime industry's version of Buy American. If the government is shipping cargo, it should be on American vessels.

Starting with the end of World War II, the U.S. merchant marine has shrunk to an unacceptable level. My bill is an actionable step that we can take right now to improve the maritime industry, grow the U.S. mariner pool, and increase the number of U.S.-flagged ships.

From a national security perspective, cargo preference remains an effective shipping strategy in maintaining our Nation's presence and economic viability in the international market.

As the Department of Transportation is responsible for overseeing the majority of American maritime shipping, both domestically and globally, there is no reason why the Department cannot and should not set an example that is meaningful.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 2035, the American Cargo for American Ships Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2351, a bill requiring the Coast Guard to have a substantive policy on treating drug overdoses onboard vessels and also ensuring that the Coast Guard has the legal authority to prosecute certain drug smuggling cases.

I would also like to express my thanks for the bipartisan leadership of Chair Sam Graves, Ranking Member Larsen, and Subcommittee Chair Ezell.

This bill will strengthen the Coast Guard's ability to meet a core mission, saving lives. As we all know, the Coast Guard is involved in high-risk drug interdiction missions, as well as recreational boating oversight where drugs may also be present.

This bill requires the Coast Guard to update its policy on carrying and utilizing medications to treat drug overdoses such as naloxone.

Further, the bill ensures access to these medications at every installation and operational unit. As we all understand, handling drugs like cocaine and fentanyl is an exceptionally risky endeavor, and ensuring the Coast Guard has the necessary medication to prevent someone from losing a life is critical.

In addition, this bill also provides the Coast Guard with the ability to prosecute drug smuggling cases when the vessel operator is not physically onboard.

As technology continues to evolve and transnational criminal organizations get savvier and more sophisticated with their operations, this levels the playing field and helps the United States hold these unmanned vessel operators accountable.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support my colleagues who have worked on this important bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to seeing it passed into law.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2351, I encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I my consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2390, the Maritime Supply Chain Security Act, legislation that clarifies that funding provided by the port infrastructure development program can be used to replace or upgrade Chinese-made cranes at ports.

In 2024, over 80 percent of ship-to-shore cranes at ports in the United States were manufactured in China. There is currently no U.S. domestic production of ship-to-shore cranes, leaving some of the most valuable equipment at our ports vulnerable to cyberattacks and dependent upon Chinese manufacturing.

This is just one example of the type of manufacturing that needs to be brought back to the United States, not through the tariffs that pass along costs to the consumer but rather by working with companies and incentivizing change.

This bill serves as a prime example of the importance of the port infrastructure development program, a bipartisan program that invests in our ports and supply chain.

Since 90 percent of everything we wear, eat, and consume is carried by water, ports are the bedrock of our supply chain. The bipartisan infrastructure law provided $2.25 billion in advanced appropriations for PIDP.

I welcome the increase to the program in the fiscal year 2026 budget request and hope the appropriators follow suit.

H.R. 2390 continues the work of President Biden to replace Chinese cranes and bolster the cybersecurity of U.S. ports. For that reason, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 2390, I urge my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, if the port congestion and vessel backlogs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it is the importance of a resilient supply chain.

H.R. 252, the Secure Our Ports Act, works to minimize interference in U.S. ports from foreign adversaries. In order to ensure the free flow of cargo into and out of our country, we must ensure full control over and investment in our ports.

I am proud to have voted in support of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which provided $2.5 billion of investment in port infrastructure.

We all now understand the importance of a strong resilient supply chain, and this bill is a step in the right direction.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure robust funding for the maritime industry. For this reason, I will vote ``yes'' on H.R. 252.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, to close, I support H.R. 252 and urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, each year, I have the privilege of honoring women on the Central Coast who have made a meaningful impact in our community through the Women of the Year Award. This year, it's my pleasure to recognize Alison Wales of Lompoc, California, for her outstanding contributions and commitment to improving the lives of countless individuals.

Alison's journey began in a small Iowa town, where the values of service and community were instilled in her by her family. Since arriving in Lompoc in 1987, she has demonstrated dedication to uplifting others and amplifying voices that might otherwise go unheard.

In 1996, Alison transitioned from volunteer to team member at the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center, launching a 30- year career in crisis counseling, program development, and survivor advocacy. Through her work, Alison has shaped programs that have had a lasting difference in our community. Including an AMAC support group that has served individuals for over two decades, initiatives supporting at-risk boys and their mothers, teen parenting programs, and a five-year tenure as the Lompoc Police Department Advocate.

Alison also prioritized education, earning degrees from Chapman University to strengthen her ability to serve others. She played a pivotal role in civic engagement, serving with the League of Women Voters and the Santa Barbara County Commission for Women. During her tenure, she helped secure funding for the launch of `She Raised Her Hand,' an initiative dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by female veterans, and providing them with the education, support, and connections they need to thrive.

It is with great pride that I honor Alison Wales as Women of the Year for her contributions to our community and for being a beacon of hope and positive change for so many. Her legacy of service and her commitment to others will continue to inspire future generations.

I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Alison Wales, a true champion of justice, compassion, and influence in California's 24th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my thanks to Chairman Westerman and Ranking Member Huffman for their support in advancing my bipartisan legislation, Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act, which I introduced with Representatives Valadao, Costa, and Fitzpatrick.

My Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act is a commonsense solution to help us reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. It simply allows the United States Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management to approve the removal of hazardous trees or vegetation near power lines on Federal land without the need for a timber sale.

Unfortunately, catastrophic wildfires continue to ravage the Western United States, and we need commonsense solutions that balance sustainable forest management practices with reducing wildfire risks. My legislation strives to find that solution and that balance.

Currently, the United States Forest Service allows utility companies to cut down trees and branches in existing utility corridors. However, the dead vegetation cannot be removed from Federal land without a timber sale. This has created unnecessary red tape and led to the buildup of dry fuels around utility lines.

We cannot continue with the status quo. Inaction can be deadly. I know because we have seen it. The 2017 Thomas fire, which created the conditions for the deadly Montecito debris flow that killed 23 people in my district. The 2018 Camp fire and the 2021 Dixie fire were all started by electrical equipment. These fires were some of the largest and most destructive fires in California's history.

If we can take action to help save lives and protect property, we should. While there is more work ahead of us to continue to reduce the risk of wildfires, this is an important step. I am glad to be able to work with my colleagues across the aisle to get this done.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this important piece of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, on March 31, 2025, I missed votes due to unexpected travel delays. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 84 (H.R. 517), and YEA on Roll Call No. 85 (H.R. 997).

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise on behalf of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. A number of members are going to come to provide testimony tonight about what we perceive is a betrayal of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle of the American people with the recently passed budget resolution that really is going to provide tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans in exchange for cuts in vital, essential programs for working- and middle-class families.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand here with my colleagues from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to call out the partisan Republican budget resolution that passed last night for what it is. It is a rip- off of the American people. Their budget proposes reckless spending to support billionaires and make everyday Americans foot the bill.

It cuts over $1 trillion, including $880 billion from Medicaid, in order to partially pay for trillions of dollars in tax cuts for the wealthiest people.

These tax cuts would not go to help everyday Americans. Instead, they would go to the richest 1 percent.

Apart from that, it also increases the deficit and the national debt to the tune of $4 trillion.

What happened to fiscal responsibility?

This is a betrayal of the American working middle-class families. There are 80 million people in this country who rely on Medicaid. In my district alone, over 236,000 people on Medicaid are at risk of losing their healthcare. This includes nearly 100,000 children and 24,000 seniors.

Not only that, but the budget resolution would also go after the Affordable

Care Act again, and it is projected to raise annual health premiums by roughly $1,200 for 20 million people. It would force 7 million Americans to lose their health insurance.

This budget resolution does nothing to deliver on the current needs of the American people. As inflation continues to grow and threats of trade wars persist, the cost of necessities like groceries, childcare, and housing will continue to increase putting a greater burden on American families.

Their budget resolution also earmarks $200 billion to supercharge mass deportations that go beyond violent criminals.

Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, under this plan, we can expect even higher prices for food and goods, and it further worsens our workforce shortages. The reality is that undocumented workers make up 14 percent of construction workers and roughly 42 percent of our agricultural workforce.

Mr. Speaker, instead of helping everyday Americans, the cuts would go to the richest 1 percent. This is a terrible circumstance.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat), who is my good friend and chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Espaillat for his remarks.

Before I yield to our next speaker, I wanted to reiterate: Make no mistake, under this plan we can expect even higher prices for food and goods, and it further worsens our workforce shortages.

The reality is that undocumented workers make up 14 percent of construction workers and roughly 42 percent of our agricultural workforce.

Farmworkers help feed our Nation and allow grocery stores to stay stocked with affordable fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, this reality is not what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to admit.

On Monday I offered an amendment to the budget resolution so we can move forward the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act to provide farmworkers with legal status so they can continue to work on our farms in this country.

Not only is this the right thing to do, but providing farmworkers with legal status helps provide stability and keeps our stores stocked with affordable groceries and domestically grown food, also helping American growers.

Instead, the Rules Committee blocked my amendment, and not a single amendment was made in order. We need to do better than this and deliver on lowering costs for the American people.

I call on my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to reconsider this reckless plan that would benefit billionaires at the expense of everyday Americans.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time is remaining.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall).

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Washington (Ms. Randall) for her words.

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat), chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.