Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate America's credit unions during National Credit Union Education Month.

Credit unions play a crucial role in improving the financial well- being of households and local businesses across America, offering working people affordable financial services for acquiring a home, investing in their child's education, and providing accessible lending options that help build generational wealth.

Credit unions are legally owned by the people who use their services, meaning that when you deposit money into a credit union, you are not just a customer, you are a part owner. This makes credit unions all the more responsive and accountable to the communities they serve.

This not-for-profit cooperative structure also ensures that earnings are paid back to members in the form of higher savings rates and lower loan rates, not to private investors.

Rhode Island boasts 18 credit unions that serve 480,000 Rhode Island residents--nearly half of our State's population. During my time as State treasurer, I worked with our credit unions in our State to help promote financial empowerment and stability for all Rhode Islanders. I look forward to continuing to support this credit union model in Congress.

Madam Speaker, the American people want us to be working together to solve our challenges at the border. We could be working together to vote on President Biden's proposal for $14 billion of funding that would add over 1,000 Border Patrol officers. We could be working with the Senate on real immigration reform that Republicans claimed they wanted until Donald Trump told them that they didn't, but instead we are wasting time and energy on an impeachment with no legal basis just because it is what Donald Trump wants.

The facts are this: Congress has allocated funding for 34,000 beds at detention centers. The average daily census last year was 37,000. The centers are full, and so the Secretary, under the law, uses his legal discretion to decide who to detain and who to release--the same legal discretion that all of his predecessors have used.

In the last 2 years of the Trump administration, 52 percent of migrants were released, nearly a million people, and I did not hear my House Republican colleagues calling to impeach that Homeland Security Secretary.

No. This is about one thing--politics. There are no high crimes, no misdemeanors, no treason, no bribery. I would remind my colleagues, our oath is to the Constitution, not to Donald Trump.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Social Security 2100 bill, and I thank Representative Larson for introducing it.

Social Security is a promise. It is a promise that if you work hard and do the right thing and pay into the system during your career, you will be able to retire with dignity in this country.

Unfortunately, too many of my colleagues are obsessed with trying to cut and undermine this vital program. They say there is not enough money in the trust fund, while many of them voted for $10 trillion of tax cuts that went primarily to the wealthy and to the biggest corporations just a few years ago. They could find $10 trillion for tax cuts for the people at the top, but then they claim they can't find any money to shore up the Social Security system.

Here is the truth: We can increase cost-of-living adjustments, increase benefits of Social Security, and extend the life of the trust fund indefinitely by just asking the people at the very top to pay their fair share. That is what this bill does. It asks the Elon Musks and Jeff Bezoses of the world to pay a fair share into the trust fund so that working people can retire in dignity.

Mr. Speaker, the Rhode Islanders who I talk to are so disappointed in this Congress. They sent us here to fight to make their lives better, not to play political games, like the sham impeachment push that House Republicans are making against the President, despite no evidence of wrongdoing.

The people expect us to fight to lower costs, to go after the companies that are price gouging working Americans. They expect us to fight for Social Security and Medicare and abortion rights, and to fix roads and bridges.

Instead, the extreme House Republicans are pushing for impeachment of the President, despite having no evidence of wrongdoing after a year of investigations. We need to remember who

sent us here and what they sent us here to fight for.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to fight for working people in this country. Stop the political games. Stop the nonsense.

Mr. Chair, every child deserves access to a high- quality education, but House Republicans are proposing harmful cuts that would close the doors of opportunity for millions of children.

At a time when we are facing a nationwide teacher shortage, House Republicans want to cut title I funding by 80 percent, kicking 220,000 teachers out of the classroom, including 1,000 teachers in Rhode Island.

House Republicans also propose to cut Head Start funding by $750 million, putting 50,000 children, including hundreds in Rhode Island, out of early childhood education programs and making it harder for their parents to go back to work.

All told, this bill would cut $22.5 billion from the Department of Education, and many of my Republican colleagues who are advocating for these cuts, who are saying we just can't find the money to pay teachers and help kids, had no problem voting for a tax cut program of $1.9 trillion that went disproportionately to billionaires and big corporations. They voted for $750 billion of tax cuts to corporations, $150 billion of cuts for multimillion-dollar inheritances, and now when it comes to finding even a fraction of that same amount to fund teachers and fund children, they are saying they can't find the money.

Please.

If you can find trillions of dollars to give to billionaires and big corporations, you can sure as heck find money for teachers and students.

Instead of handouts for those at the top, let's focus on policies that will help working people.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill, fight back against extremism, and stand up for our kids.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Rhode Island, the Honorable Gabe Amo, be permitted to take the oath of office today.

His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

Mr. Speaker, the people of Rhode Island's First Congressional District have elected a Representative with the character, the credentials, and the commitment to be an effective Member of this body from day one.

As one of the original 13 States, Rhode Island has been electing Representatives to the House since 1790. In those 233 years, Rhode Island has never sent an African American or any person of color to Congress until today, but Gabe Amo will be the first to tell you, Mr. Speaker, that he did not come here to make history. He came here to make a difference.

He came to make a difference for working people like his parents, who immigrated to the United States from Ghana and Liberia. Gabe's mother, Weady, is a nurse. His father, Gabriel, runs the family's liquor store. They came to America because they believe in the promise of this country.

They settled in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a diverse, blue-collar city of brick mills and triple-decker houses where people value a hard day's work. This is where Gabe Amo comes from.

He has chosen to devote his career to public service, working in the Rhode Island State House for then-Governor Gina Raimondo and in the White House for President Obama and President Biden.

By the way, a shout-out to the staffers who do not get enough credit in this town.

Mr. Speaker, can we have a round of applause for them, please.

Now in Congress, Gabe is ready to fight for the America that inspired his parents all those years ago, an America where workers can get fair pay and benefits and the right to join a union like his mother did; an America where immigrants like Gabe's parents are welcomed to this country with kindness and not with cruelty; an America that stands with democracies and not dictators; an America where freedom means freedom for everybody, including women to make their own healthcare decisions and LGBTQ Americans to marry the person they love; and an America where we have the God-given right to choose our own leaders and not have the results challenged and denied by the losing side.

I have known Gabe Amo since we were both teenagers, and I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, he has the values, the commitment to America, and a love for service that runs deep.

He is the right person to serve in this House at this moment, and it gives me great pleasure to introduce, for the first time as our colleague, the gentleman from Rhode Island, Gabe Amo.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic actions of Deputy Chief Mike Mernick of the Warwick Fire Department.

Mike and his wife, Tara, were enjoying a night out in Providence, not long ago, when they noticed a fire had broken out at a nearby home on Goddard Street.

When he saw the smoke coming out of the triple-decker and realized there were people trapped inside the building, the off-duty, 28-year- old firefighter sprang into action.

He ran into the burning building with two Providence police officers at his side, covered in no protective gear or equipment. He just knew there was no time to waste.

They headed up two flights of smoke-filled stairs where they found a mother with her two children and rushed them out to safety. Mernick remained in the building, clearing each floor, as the fire raged around him.

Thanks to the quick actions of Deputy Chief Mernick and the two officers, all eight people in the building were rescued safely.

Deputy Chief Mernick's actions are a reminder that firefighters are heroes in every sense of the word.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support continued United States support for the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom from Vladimir Putin's terrible invasion.

In a despicable act of cruelty, Vladimir Putin invaded a peaceful and democratic nation. He is single-handedly responsible for unthinkable suffering: 70,000 Ukrainians killed, 13 million people forced from their homes, civilians shot in the streets, and children separated from their parents, all to fuel the ego of a dictator in Moscow.

Putin's aggression is a threat to the security of the United States and our citizens as well. He has made no secret of the fact that his goal is to undermine the NATO alliance which has kept our Nation safe and like-minded democracies around the world safe for the past seven decades. Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, if Putin succeeds in his invasion of Ukraine, he will not stop there.

Like all dictators, he sees democracy anywhere as a threat. He does not want his own people to know that nations with free elections and civil rights for their citizens can be strong.

This is the Ukrainians' war to fight, and they are fighting it. The Ukrainians are fighting for their families and fighting for their freedom with incredible bravery. The United States will not send troops to Ukraine, but they do need our help.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support the supplemental budget request for aid to Ukraine. Let's show the world that America stands with democracies, not with dictators, and reaffirm our commitment that we will stand with the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom for as long as it takes.

Paralyzing Military Nominations Poses Risk to National Security

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of our Nation's military servicemembers whose lives are being put at risk by the shameful actions of a Senator from Alabama. For months, the Alabama Senator has blocked more than 300 qualified officers in our military from receiving the promotions that they have earned and from assuming the posts that our country needs them in.

Aside from the Senator himself, who seems to love being in the center of attention, the people who are most excited by his grandstanding are America's enemies.

No one is happier with the Senator from Alabama's antics than Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and our Nation's other adversaries. By undermining our military, he is doing their dirty work for them.

Don't take it just from me. The Secretary of the Army has stated that the Senator's actions are eroding the foundations of our military and putting our national security at risk.

The House Foreign Affairs chairman, Mr. McCaul, who is a member of the Senator's own party, has said that the Senator's hold on military nominations is paralyzing and a national security problem.

The Senator has stated that he will continue blocking the promotions of these experienced and courageous military officers until the military adopts policies to make it harder for women in the military to have access to abortion. I disagree with the Senator on abortion, as do most Americans, but one thing we all ought to agree on is that whatever our disagreements may be, using our military servicemembers as political props is just plain wrong. It is an inappropriate tactic, and it must end now.

Military personnel, from the most junior to the most senior, dedicate their lives to protecting us and protecting our Nation and the ideals that we hold dear. We should be supporting them, and they deserve better than the Senator's antics.

The Senator must lift his hold on these promotions, and if he doesn't, then the Senate should change their rule so that no one individual has power to block these promotions and jeopardize our Nation's security.

Blockade of Artsakh

Mr. Speaker, I rise to condemn Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin corridor, which has created a humanitarian crisis that is threatening the lives of 120,000 ethnic Armenians who call the Artsakh region home.

Today in Artsakh, thousands are suffering from shortages of food, medical supplies, and other basic necessities. Many fear that as winter approaches, the population could face starvation.

The United States and our allies cannot stand by in the face of this cruelty. As a member of the House Armenian Issues Caucus, I have cosponsored legislation to support the people of Artsakh's independence and safety.

This past June, I joined many of my colleagues urging the administration to enforce restrictions on U.S. military assistance for Azerbaijan until the blockade is ended.

I stand with the Armenian people and will continue to support legislation to

oppose these human rights violations and call on Azerbaijan to end the blockade.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to do so as well.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the primary sponsor of H.R. 2752, a bill originally introduced by Representative Cicilline of Rhode Island, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of the great Providence Journal columnist, Bill Reynolds.

Ask any Rhode Islander and they will tell you that Bill Reynolds was an institution of Rhode Island sports and journalism whose column was read by thousands across the State.

It was a tradition, a must-read, and families across Rhode Island, including mine, started their Saturday by reading his column, ``For What It's Worth,'' which included his latest not only on sports, but also pop culture, politics, movies, and more.

He was a columnist at the Journal for almost 40 years, a New York Times best-selling author, and a Hall of Fame Brown University basketball player, who still played pickup games well into his 60s, and was known for his jump shot, which earned him the nickname ``Shooter.''

Bill was one of the best sportswriters in Rhode Island history, who mentored an entire generation of aspiring writers and athletes. There will never be another like him. May he rest in peace.

Celebrating Rhode Island Special Olympic Athlete, Brian Johnson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the achievements of Rhode Island's Special Olympic athlete, Brian Johnson of East Greenwich.

Brian made Rhode Island proud by bringing home the gold for bocce at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin last month.

He and his teammate, David Young, defeated the team from Paraguay 10- 3 to win the unified doubles gold. To top it off, Brian also won the silver medal in the singles division.

Brian has competed in the Special Olympics for 14 years, participating in track and field, basketball, bocce, bowling, cycling, flag football, and volleyball. He has been an advocate for inclusion and has shared the impact of his Special Olympics experiences with students at his school.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Brian for his incredible accomplishment. He has done himself and all of Rhode Island proud.

Celebrating Jonathan Stone on his retirement

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Jonathan Stone, who recently retired as executive director of Save the Bay Rhode Island after 14 years of service.

Founded in 1970, Save the Bay is Rhode Island's leading organization for advocacy, education, and policy to safeguard the Narragansett Bay and its tributaries.

Jonathan led vital work to restore Rhode Island's coastlines and waterways, protect marine life, help our State adapt to climate change, and delivered major legislative victories for environmental conservation.

He championed the Cesspool Phaseout law of 2015 to remove sewage from public waterways and the creation of the Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience fund to protect vulnerable infrastructure and coastal areas from sea level rise in extreme weather.

At the same time, Jonathan strengthened Save the Bay's environmental education programs, which have introduced hundreds of thousands of students to the bay, and launched construction of a new exploration center and aquarium, which will open this fall.

Rhode Islanders are indebted to Jonathan for his commitment to our State and the waterways that make it so special, but we must remember, as Jonathan Stone reminded us when he announced his retirement, that the saving of Narragansett Bay is not complete.

Mr. Speaker, I look forward to doing my part in Congress and using Jon Stone's leadership as an example.

Madam Speaker, as we prepare to consider the National Defense Authorization Act, it is vital that we continue robust support for the United States Navy's submarine program.

In recent years, we have seen that the world is still a dangerous place. Authoritarian actors all across the world pose a threat to the United States, to our democratic allies, and to peaceful people across the world.

Against that backdrop, America's submarine fleet is one of the most important advantages that we have in our vital work to make the world safe for democracy. Vessels like the Virginia-class fast-attack submarines and the upcoming Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines are powerful and difficult for our enemies to detect. That makes them an essential deterrent that keeps our would-be adversaries from committing acts of aggression.

As we work on the NDAA, the National Defense Authorization Act, it is imperative that we continue to fund production of the Virginia- and Columbia-class vessels at the Pentagon's recommended levels and that we also invest in workforce training, housing, and additional support for the thousands of tradesmen and -women in Rhode Island and across the country who are building these ships.

In that spirit, I urge all of my colleagues to approve the amendment that I have submitted to direct the Department of Defense to study and implement strategies for expanding access to affordable housing for tradesmen and -women involved in Navy shipbuilding.

President Franklin Roosevelt once said that for the world to be safe, America must be an ``Arsenal of Democracy.'' Those words continue to be true today, particularly when it comes to our vital naval submarine program.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, home to some of our State's most iconic, historic, economic, and cultural treasures.

Formally established in 1723, South Kingstown's origins can be traced back to the Pettaquamscutt Purchase of 1658, where the founder of our State, Roger Williams, and Narragansett sachems signed a document establishing the settlement of Kingstown Village, which became one of the five original State capitals of Rhode Island.

With the coming of the industrial revolution, the villages of Peace Dale and Wakefield in South Kingstown became economic engines, employing thousands and defining life for many South Kingstown residents well into the 20th century.

Some of these old South Kingstown mills are still standing today, including Kenyon's Grist Mill, the oldest continuing manufacturing business in Rhode Island, dating back to 1696.

South Kingstown is also home to the University of Rhode Island, founded in 1892, our State's flagship public land-grant university, that today is leading research and innovation in the blue economy, with disciplines ranging from engineering to oceanography, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and so much more.

The town has grown and evolved but has never lost its rural character, beautiful seascapes, and hardworking roots. Whether it was the farmers who tilled the land, the millworkers who built the middle class, or the university researchers on the cutting edge of innovation, everyone in South Kingstown, from Wakefield to Matunuck, Peace Dale, and Usquepaug, has contributed to the town's success in one way or another.

The people of South Kingstown built a strong and vibrant community over the past 300 years, and may South Kingstown continue to thrive for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 245 and YEA on Roll Call No. 246.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 244.