Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) on receiving a regional award for combating obesity and promoting healthier habits among its students.

Physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. In combination with healthy eating, it can help prevent a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke, which are the three leading causes of death. Physical activity helps control weight, builds lean muscle, reduces fat, promotes strong bone, muscle and joint development, and decreases the risk of obesity.

The Active Schools Acceleration Project (ASAP) was launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and ChildObesity 180 and identify and reward the most creative, impactful, and scalable school-based programs and technological innovations that promote physical activity for children. ASAP initiated a competition this year for schools nationwide to create a school-based physical activity program in order to inspire youth to be more physically active. ASAP honored school districts with the most innovative ideas.

EPISD and the other regional winners will receive a grant of $25,000 to support physical activity programming. Regional winners are now eligible to become national winners with the opportunity to receive a $100,000 grant, and participate in a developmental pilot aimed at expanding its program's to reach even more students and schools within the region and nationally, so I wish EPISD the best of luck! This award displays the courage and activism of a community that prioritizes children's health.

None of this could have been possible without the passionate staff, the leadership of Superintendent Terri Jordan, and, of course, the energetic students of EPISD. I am pleased that EPISD has made great strides in the area of health and wellness, and the award both gives their program validation and allows them to do more for our students in these areas. It is important that future generations have a well- rounded education that includes physical wellness. The award is not only an indication of the district's success, but is also a great example for youth to follow.

Mr. Chair, I rise to support the amendment offered by Mr. Higgins that would increase funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's State and Local Program by $58 million to allow communities such

as the one I represent, El Paso, Texas, to be eligible for Urban Areas Security Initiative, UASI, funding under the FY2013 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.

As you know, UASI provides funding to address the unique planning, organization, equipment, and training needs of high-threat, high- density urban areas. The program assists in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.

Unfortunately, the FY12 Homeland Security Appropriations bill contained provisions that would arbitrarily deny funding to more than 50 cities like El Paso, Texas. These hinder the progress that communities like El Paso, have made to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks and could potentially undermine the ability of these cities to safeguard their communities.

As former Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I know very well the importance of providing our cities with adequate resources to prepare, prevent, and protect against attacks. This is a time for our communities to remain vigilant. It is unwise to cut off resources by including arbitrary language that restricts funding for cities like El Paso, which sits on the U.S.- Mexico border across from what is arguably one of the most violent cities in Mexico--Ciudad Juarez. Yet, despite this, El Paso is ranked the safest large city in the U.S. I attribute this to the great work of law enforcement in our community which is supported by resources provided by UASI under the Department of Homeland Security's State and Local Grants programs. UASI has directed more than $21.8 million to El Paso since 2007. Additionally, El Paso--Juarez is a major center for manufacturing and international trade and commerce. El Paso is home to one of the largest ports of entry on the U.S./Mexico border, and is recognized as one of the top trading points in the entire United States. El Paso is home to Fort Bliss, one of the United States largest military bases and the Department of Defenses top ranked military asset.

In 2010, El Paso, Texas received $5,389,900 as part of the UASI program and an additional $75,000 through the UASI Nonprofit Security Grant Program to help nonprofit organizations at high risk of attack and located within one of the UASI-eligible areas.

With continued violence in Mexico and other potential security threats in our area, these funds are especially critical. As our local governments continue to face budget difficulties, these federal grants help ensure that our local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to ensure El Paso remains the safest large city in the U.S.

El Paso has a track record of wisely investing UASI funds in projects such as an emergency notification system, an information fusion center, urban search and rescue teams, hazardous materials specialty teams, and critical interoperable communications infrastructure upgrades.

The UASI grant has provided the El Paso Region with equipment such as: chemical and hazardous materials detectors, thermal imaging cameras, personal protective equipment, command units, generators, tactical ballistic helmets and vests, security systems, response vehicles, emergency notification system, and even medical cache for H1N1 pandemic, as well as numerous other projects.

The grant funds have also assisted in coordination exercises, including: ranged interdepartmental communication and training, agency communication and training, and EOC exercises to regional cross- discipline and multi-agency training scenarios. All of the exercises are compiled and analyzed through After Action Reports, which are indispensable as training tools to reflect our areas of strength and weakness. In addition, the grant has also funded training such as National Incident Management System, Bomb Team, Hazmat, and other training exercises deemed eligible on the grant.

El Paso area communities have all benefited from the regional UASI by significantly increasing their capabilities. The funds allowed for the purchase of equipment and training such as those outlined by the Department of Homeland Security's National Planning Scenarios and Target Capabilities Lists. I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Higgins amendment, the Urban Area Security Initiative, to ensure that our communities and our country remain safe. Mr. Higgins' amendment ensures that communities like mine in El Paso, Texas receive the support they need from the UASI program.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and help continue to keep our large cities safe.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that strengthens the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and seeks to remedy the discrepancies in the wages of men and women in America.

In 2009, the first bill that President Obama signed into law was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Creating equal pay for women was one of the top priorities of Congress in 2009 and it was my honor to support this bill. The Lilly Ledbetter act pioneered the first steps at tackling the issue of sex-based discrimination, but our duty to American women in the workforce is not complete. Now more than ever, with women increasingly taking on the role as the breadwinner in many American households, this issue no longer affects just women; it affects entire families. For almost 50 years, we have been combating this issue. In El Paso women make up 45 percent of the labor force, with similar numbers around the country, but women earn only 77 cents on the dollar compared to men. If this gap in earnings is not reduced, everyday expenses, the ability to support their families and retirement funds will be negatively affected.

Continuing his commitment to securing equal pay for women, President Obama is pressing for us to turn this basic right, equal pay for equal effort, into a reality with the Paycheck Fairness Act. With the creation of the National Equal Pay Task Force that is cracking down on any violations of equal pay laws, the President is pressing forward with his efforts. Like President Obama, we must continue to fight for equal payment opportunities for our nation's women and in turn their families. Senate Republicans are blocking passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act which advocates for the fair treatment of almost half of our labor force. I support the Paycheck Fairness Act and its intent to increase penalties against those who participate in gender-based discrimination, and I urge Senate Republicans to stop their resistance on this issue.

I want to thank my colleague and fellow cochair from the Army Caucus, Judge Carter, for yielding me the time to honor the United States Army on its 237th birthday.

The Army, as my colleague has said, dates back to 1775. It has always stood tall, both in peacetime and in times of war, in times of conflict or police actions, which means that our proud men and women in the Army have stood in harm's way to benefit freedom not just for our country, but throughout the world.

Our Army has been at war now for over 10 years. Today it is battle tested, and it's proven itself once again. Our Army is over 1 million strong, composed of some of America's most dedicated and outstanding individuals. So today I'm proud to stand with my cochair to take a moment to recognize the men and women who have selflessly served our Army for the past 237 years, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedom and our American way of life. We pause to thank our soldiers and their families for their service and their commitment, which remain steadfast and strong.

From the Revolutionary War to the current conflict in Afghanistan, our Army has triumphed over those who seek to harm our country. For 237 years, the Army has always been relevant and remains a critical force for world freedom today. With the transformation of the Army to a leaner, lighter, and more lethal force, the United States Army will continue to be vital to our national security and to the national security of countries around the globe.

As we plan for the future, let us reflect on the great legacy that the United States Army has given this great Nation through the men and women who were and are proud to be Americans. Our soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and officers of the United States Army are the most outstanding fighting force in our world. We cannot thank them enough for their dedication to excellence and their commitment to duty, honor, and country. And let us not forget their families who sacrifice for our national security as well. Their execution is unmatched, their commitment is unwavering, and their bond is unbreakable. I am proud to be part of that Army lineage, and this morning, as I wear this Army- strong tribute, I salute our brave men and women who have made our Army great, but who have kept our country safe and secure and represent the global effort to maintain freedom around the world.

So again, I am proud to stand with my cochair, Judge Carter, and pay tribute for the past 237 years of sacrifice to our great United States Army.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Colonel Joseph Simonelli for his outstanding service to the Army and the nation.

For the past two years, Colonel Simonelli has served as the garrison commander of Fort Bliss. A garrison commander is the Mayor of an Army installation with responsibility for everything from potholes to energy contracts. It is one of the most challenging positions in the Army, and only a few of the most outstanding officers are selected for this top command position.

Colonel Simonelli has lead Fort Bliss at a critical juncture in the post's and the Army's history. With wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, he provided critical support to soldiers training for combat, while taking care of family members. He ensured that the spouses, parents, and children of deploying troops, facing so much stress, felt the warm embrace of the Army family.

As Fort Bliss was deploying combat forces, the post was also continuing to adjust to the impact of the 2005 BRAC which relocated the 1st Armored Division to El Paso. Colonel Simonelli oversaw important projects including construction of the new Lifestyle Center which is now providing upgraded facilities to support military families and has become an important hub for the community. Colonel Simonelli worked to transform the Lifestyle Center into more than a just place to shop or dine; the Lifestyle Center has become the heart of Fort Bliss, open and welcoming to all. This new gathering place is a model, not just for the military, but for all communities.

Colonel Simonelli and his staff tackled this and other projects, including the designation of Fort Bliss as one of the two Net Zero installations, with incredible efficiency and dedication. Colonel Simonelli instilled in all an unwavering commitment to supporting soldiers and their families.

As Joe and Bettye Marie move on to the next chapter in their life in the Army, I rise to offer my thanks for all that they have done to make Fort Bliss a better place to work and live. Their hard work and dedication has touched so many lives, and we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude for all that they have done for our soldiers, for our community, and for our nation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Kenneth Capshaw, a fellow El Pasoan and high school band director who has spent his life educating El Paso's young people and children and instilling in them an appreciation for music. He has also been a member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra for 30 years, not only extending his knowledge of music to younger generations, but the entire community as well.

Mr. Capshaw has been a band director for over 20 years, 15 of which were spent at Coronado High School. Under his leadership, the Coronado High School band has become one of the most successful band programs in the State of Texas.

Capshaw has been recognized many times for his achievements in music education, including receiving the Legion of Honor Award from the John Phillip Sousa Foundation and the Meritorious Award from the Texas Bandmasters Association.

Not only is he recognized nationally in the field of music education, but he. is highly respected and admired by the music community and scores of young people in El Paso.

Mr. Capshaw has touched the lives of many students in his career. They could be the custodian's daughter or the surgeon's son, or have a physical disability. His sole focus was always to develop each of his students' musical talents and character, teaching them the values of hard work, responsibility and working together to achieve excellence.

Fine Arts is a subject very important to our children's education, and many studies demonstrate that students of musical education programs often have higher academic achievement. Music education, particularly when directed by a dedicated and caring musical director like Kenneth Capshaw, encourages motivation and teamwork among participants along with individual excellence.

Today I recognize Mr. Capshaw and thank him for the many years he has spent educating our children and making beautiful music

for our community, and I wish him and his wife the best of luck in retirement. God bless you, Mr. Capshaw.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 4970, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. This controversial bill would weaken long-standing protections and fails to protect the most vulnerable victims of violence.

Last month, the Senate passed a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Instead of supporting the bipartisan Senate bill, House Republicans introduced a dangerous partisan bill that rolls back many vital protections for battered women and shifts the power into the hands of abusers. This bill fails to protect battered immigrant spouses legally here, diminishes protections for the LGBT community, and neglects challenges facing Native American victims. It is a slap in the face to victims and those who have worked tirelessly to protect them.

One out of every four women in the United States is physically assaulted by an intimate partner and more than 740,000 children and youth are treated in hospital emergency departments as a result of violence each year--more than 84 every hour. In Texas, last year the number of family violence fatalities increased 28 percent from 2010. In El Paso, Texas according to the El Paso Police Department, police responded to 200 reports of sexual assault and 4,500 domestic violence cases just last year.

These numbers indicate the severity of a widespread problem that can have devastating social and health-related consequences and this bill will only weaken the confidentiality provisions for victims seeking protection from further violence. This bill reverses the ``U'' visa program that encourages immigrant victims of crime to report and help prosecute serious criminal activity and now will create obstacles for those seeking to report crimes. Now immigrant victims will be far less likely to share potentially valuable information with police that could help solve crimes and prosecute offenders.

Republicans in the House should drop their misguided attempt to undermine the Violence Against Women Act that puts the safety and security of women at risk and instead should reauthorize and strengthen the existing program, as the Senate has already done. House Republicans should be ashamed of politicizing such an important issue and for attempting to roll back longstanding bipartisan protections for victims of domestic violence and sexual violence.

As the National Organization for Women has stated, this bill ``disregards the biases and disrespect that certain victims face when seeking help from the criminal justice system and access to lifesaving services, effectively giving second-class treatment to Native American, immigrant women, and LGBT victims. The bill smacks of willful ignorance of the problem and hostility to people deemed not to be `true' victims.'' I fully support this statement because the fact of the matter is, violence is violence, regardless of who the victim is.

As a husband, father, and grandfather to four wonderful women, this issue is very important to me. If there is any issue where we should all agree, it is to help stop domestic and sexual violence, and to protect all victims. This should not be a political issue, but a matter of protecting those whom are most vulnerable. I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this partisan measure.

I want to thank our chairman from California and the

ranking member for, again, leading the way in a bipartisan effort.

Although probably not a perfect bill, under the circumstances, with troops still deployed in war zones, I think a bipartisan agreement to this very important and critical legislation was reached. I especially want to thank my chairman, Chairman Bartlett, for working and continuing the tradition of working on a bipartisan basis. I am pleased that our portion of H.R. 4310 supports, I believe, all the high- priority acquisition programs in the President's budget.

Some examples are: it fully funds the Army's Ground Combat Vehicle program at about $640 million. It provides $5.8 billion for Army helicopters, UAVs and other aviation platforms and upgrades. It also provides $1.6 billion for 21 V 22 Ospreys, which are a critical component of supporting our troops and their operations in Afghanistan today.

It further provides $2.2 billion for upgrading the Army's tactical communications network. It increases funding for the Abrams tanks by $181 million. It also increases funding for Bradley fighting vehicles by $140 million. And more than anything, it protects our industrial base at this pivotal and critical time to ensure that we don't lose the expertise and the quality workforce that we have in this country and all their capabilities.

But I guess the most important legislative provision in H.R. 4310 is legislation requiring the Air Force to continue to operate the Global Hawk Block 30 unmanned aerial system, which just reached operational capability in August of 2011. This is important because testimony before our committee underscores what we have known all along and in the 4 years I was chairman of the Intelligence Committee, that we have to continue to emphasize ISR capability. This legislation, H.R. 4310, holds the Air Force to its plan from last year to continue to operate both the Global Hawk and U 2 systems through 2014. So I ask all Members to support this critical piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues for their support of H.R. 4119, the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012.

I also would like to express my appreciation and thank my cosponsors, Congressman Quayle, who I understand is on his way here and we anticipate that he will be speaking on this, Congressman Chairman Dreier, and Congressman Thompson. I would, in particular, like to thank my good friend and colleague from Texas, Chairman Smith, for his support in bringing this legislation to the floor. I also would like to thank Senator Feinstein and Senator Kyl for their work on a bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation on the Senate side, which is S. 1236, the companion to the Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012.

The Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012 strengthens the 2006 Border Tunnel Prevention Act, which made it a crime to construct or finance an unauthorized tunnel or subterranean passage across an international border.

This bill seeks to provide law enforcement officials with enhanced investigative tools and additional options for prosecuting crimes related to the construction and financing of cross-border tunnels.

The Border Tunnel Prevention Act of 2012 would criminalize the attempt or conspiracy to use, construct, or finance a cross-border tunnel and also permits the forfeiture of bulk cash and merchandise smuggled into the United States through these illicit passageways.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Obama administration, Congress, Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement organizations, as well as ordinary Americans, the Southwest border is more secure than at any point in our Nation's history. Over the past several years, the Federal Government has dedicated unprecedented levels of personnel, technology, and resources towards border security. As a result, apprehensions today are down, and seizures of drugs, guns, and cash are up. Border cities are among the safest in the country, including El Paso, which for the second year is the safest city in America with a population of over half a million people.

While the strengthening of security along the Southwest border has produced impressive results, it has also led those who want to harm our country to seek new ways to undermine our efforts. Enhancing the security of our borders on land, air, and sea has literally pushed drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations underground as they try to smuggle illicit drugs and people and other types of contraband, as my good friend and colleague from Puerto Rico mentioned, to include the potential for terrorists and weapons of mass destruction being smuggled into the United States.

Over the last decade, drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations have been increasing both the use and complexity of cross-border tunnels. As was said earlier, approximately 154 tunnels have been discovered between Mexico and the United States since the 1990s, and more than 90 percent of those tunnels have been detected in this past decade. These cross-border tunnels are becoming more and more complex.

I've got a picture to show, and I know that the chairman was mentioning the complexity of the construction. One such tunnel is the one that was discovered in November of 2011. It was over 600 yards long, and you can see, it's got a rail system built in. It's got sophisticated lighting, and even a system to introduce fresh air into the tunnel.

No longer are these crude, handmade tunnels. These are sophisticated, well-engineered, and well-financed projects. So that is why it is imperative that this legislation be passed. We must give law enforcement officials the tools that they need to combat this growing threat to our national security and stop the flow of illicit drugs and other contraband into the United States.

Accordingly, I am proud to be the author of this, along with Congressman Quayle, and I urge all my colleagues in Congress to pass this vital piece of bipartisan legislation so that we can move forward with helping to defeat the drug cartels and the transnational criminal organizations and, further, continue the path towards really securing our borders and protecting our communities.

So with that, let me end by thanking, again, Chairman Smith and my good friend and colleague from Puerto Rico and urging my colleagues to support this critical and vital piece of legislation.

Madam Speaker, I just wanted to add my support for this legislation and thank my colleagues from New York and Puerto Rico for introducing this very important piece of legislation.

As a former Border Patrol agent and chief in the United States Border Patrol, I had the experience of working both as an agent with all the other law enforcement agencies and then as a chief. I can tell you that there isn't a worse feeling than that phone call in the middle of the night that one of your agents or one of your officers has been injured or killed. That's why this legislation is so important not just to officers and agents across the country, but to their families.

I strongly urge that our colleagues support this very important piece of legislation and agree with my colleague from American Samoa that more than just the legislation, we ought to do everything we can to provide the funding to actually bring this critical program to fruition.

Again, I want to thank my colleagues and also Chairman Smith for bringing this legislation to the floor, and I ask all our colleagues to strongly support it.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the ``Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012.'' While my Democratic colleagues and I are working to stimulate the economy and create jobs, protect and extend health care coverage, and promote affordable, high- quality education for all Americans, Tea Party Republicans have launched a radical, ideological, and partisan attack on American families. The ``Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act'' is yet another misguided attempt to eliminate critical support for middle- class Americans, seniors, veterans, and children in favor of Bush Administration policies that caused the recent economic recession. It is utterly and truly irresponsible to balance the budget on the backs of our seniors, veterans, children, and families.

This bill is a joke. The Tea Party Republicans have proposed to reduce the deficit by slashing more than $300 billion dollars from programs on which millions of ordinary Americans rely. For example, this bill cuts over $33 billion dollars in funding for nutrition programs that help millions of hard-working Americans feed their families. I am appalled that my colleagues across the aisle are more concerned with cutting taxes for millionaires and billionaires than supporting programs which ensure that our nation's children have enough to eat.

In addition, this extreme, hyper-partisan bill would eliminate the Social Services Block Grant program. This vital program provides much needed social services--including daycare and protective services, foster care and adoption services, and transportation and meals for elderly and disabled individuals--to roughly 23 million of the most vulnerable Americans. If that was not enough, this irresponsible piece of legislation would also slash funding for Medicaid, cut pension contributions for federal workers, and eliminate funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau--an office established to protect consumers engaged in financial transactions.

Our nation's seniors, veterans, children, and families should not be forced to bear the burden of fiscal austerity measures while millionaires and billionaires are not asked to pay their fair share in taxes. I urge my colleagues to stand together in opposition to yet another right-wing attack on programs that have a significant impact on the residents of my district and millions of ordinary Americans. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to fight against fundamentally flawed bills like the ``Sequester Replacement Reconciliation Act of 2012,'' and to support a budget proposal that creates jobs, expands health care coverage, and promotes access to affordable education.

Mr. Speaker, during National Teacher Appreciation Week, I rise to honor our teachers.

Teachers are at the heart of our community, and this week we commemorate the hard-working men and women who educate and inspire our children. As part of National Teacher Appreciation Week, I was asked by the National Education Association to name a teacher who had a significant impact on my education. My journalism and debate coach, Mr. Ralph Chavez, quickly came to mind. He was not only a teacher but a mentor, friend and counselor. He inspired me to push myself, and helped me become the person I am today. This week, I am proud to help recognize all of our dedicated teachers who, like Mr. Chavez, have educated and motivated their students. As a parent and grandparent, I am grateful for the contributions of all of our educators, and am particularly proud of the teachers in the El Paso community.

As a Member of Congress, one of the best ways I can help make National Teacher Appreciation Week more meaningful is to continue working to provide our teachers with the resources they need to educate their students. Today's teachers face many challenges and deserve not only our recognition, but our full measure of support for their efforts.

Education has always been one of my top priorities, and I will continue to fight for our teachers, our students, our school districts, and for parents who want their children to have the best education possible.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 4133.

I am a proud co-sponsor of the United States-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act which states it is the policy of the United States to aid Israel, specifically with the preservation of Israel's qualitative military edge amid rapid and uncertain regional political transformation and the development of advanced technology programs between the United States and Israel. The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should equip Israel with the necessary military capabilities, in order to deter and defend itself against any threats; veto any one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations Council; support Israel's right to self-defense; and promote peaceful negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

Israel sets the example for the nations of the Middle East, as the only true democracy in that region. For the past 63 years, Israel has been a sanctuary of democracy and pluralism in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes. Israel is the only country in the Middle East with free elections, a free press, freedom of religion, protection for minority rights and other safeguards typical of a free society. The

Middle East is experiencing rapid changes. These rapid changes bring hope for the expansion of democracy but also great challenges to the national security of the United States and our allies in the region, particularly Israel. H.R. 4133 reaffirms the United States commitment to Israel and the establishment of a peaceful relationship between Israel and Palestine.

I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, which expresses support for our strongest Middle Eastern ally and is a matter of national security for both Israel and the United States.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of hard working students and their families. Ensuring that all Americans have access to high quality education is one of my top priorities. I have worked to provide students with opportunities for higher education by fighting to strengthen financial aid, increase the maximum amount for Pell Grants, and lower student loan repayment interest rates.

At a time when many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, we must do all we can to keep post-secondary education affordable. Accordingly, I urge my fellow Representatives to take action to prevent student loan interest rates from rising this summer. If we do nothing, the interest rate on need-based student loans will double this July and will increase student loan repayment costs by over $1,000 for more than seven million students.

While my Republican colleagues have reversed their opinion on this issue and now claim to support our Nation's students--despite their continued support for the Ryan Budget, which slashes funding for education by 45 percent--they have put forward a misguided and radical bill that hurts low-income and middle-income families. Instead of ending tax subsidies for oil and gas companies, the Tea Party Republicans have proposed slashing billions of dollars in funding from vital health care programs for women and children, including childhood immunizations and cancer screening programs.

The Republicans want you to believe that we must choose between supporting our students and providing vital health services to women and children. However, this is clearly not the case. My fellow Democrats and I have been fighting to expand health care coverage and promote affordable education for years. Since 2007, Democrats have lowered the cost of education by cutting the student loan interest rate in half, saving billions of dollars for millions of students while returning billions of dollars in bank subsidies to students in the form of higher Pell Grants, income-based repayment programs, and loan forgiveness for students entering public service.

Unlike my Republican colleagues, I remain committed to creating jobs, expanding health

care coverage, and promoting affordable, high quality education for all Americans. I urge my colleagues to do the same by voicing their opposition to the Republicans' damaging student loan proposal.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remind my colleagues of the critical importance of our strategic allies. While some in Congress say that the United States should focus our efforts to defend our nation on building walls and restricting entry at our borders, we must continue to address the global threat of terrorism through cooperation and coordination with our allies.

While I am sure that most everyone would agree with the general concept that nations should work together to fight terrorism, I wanted to mention two countries to give my colleagues concrete examples of the critical importance of our alliances and the need to cultivate these relationships.

Turkey has a key strategic position, controlling the Bosporus Straits and sharing a border with Syria, Iran and Iraq. A member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Turkey has been a strong ally to the United States and to all of Europe. Turkey has proven to be an important partner as US forces have left Iraq and regional tensions have increased as the situation in Syria continues to devolve and Iran pursues nuclear technologies. Turkey's importance to the US and the world will continue to increase in the future, and Turkey will be critical to maintaining peace and stability.

At a time when the US and NATO continue to maintain a large military presence in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan is a valued partner. From providing critical access to Afghanistan to helping fight the flow of illegal drugs that fund Taliban insurgents, Azerbaijan has repeatedly proven their commitment to the fight against terrorism. As Azerbaijan continues to develop democratic institutions and a civil society, their contributions to regional and global security will increase even more. At a time when all of our alliances are being tested, the partnership between the United States and Azerbaijan remains strong.

The world is a safer place for all when we combine our efforts to fight those criminals who seek to use terror as a means to achieve their goals. When we work together, we become more than the sum of our parts. I urge my colleagues to support our nation's efforts along with those of our allies like Turkey and Azerbaijan to secure and protect our citizens