Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, this week heralds Virgin Islands History Month. It is the beginning of a monthlong celebration in the Virgin Islands of our history.

My being on the House floor as a representative, representing my people of the Virgin Islands, is the culmination of generations of people's work. My presence here is built upon the indomitable spirit of Virgin Islanders whose legacies are woven into the very fabric of our culture--marked by their bravery, visionary leadership, and profound sacrifice.

Our homeland is a mosaic of rich cultures and a history as diverse as its people, a history that is not just defined by the actions of a select few but a legacy that elevates the collective greatness of all Virgin Islanders. Above all, we are about self-determination that has been a chronicle of epic feats.

As early as 2200 B.C., the Virgin Islands was originally settled by pre-Colombian indigenous groups. In 1493, we had the first instance of self-determination on our island as Columbus' expedition encountered strong resistance from a Carib war party at Salt River Bay on the island of St. Croix, preventing his men from establishing a foothold.

Over the next 200 years, control of the islands shifted among various European nations. The Caribs fought colonization, launching relentless raids until they were completely eradicated by 1590.

This enduring resistance is a hallmark of our ancestral legacy. During 1733, the enslaved also uprose on the island of St. John.

The Akwamu kings and Queen Breffu of present-day Ghana galvanized enslaved people on St. John to seize control of the island for over 6 months in their pursuit of self-liberation. This valiant act of defiance forced Danish authorities to call the Spanish Armada and the French fleet to quell the rebellion and reassert control.

This weekend, we celebrated their decision to commit collective suicide rather than go back into slavery. The burning desire for freedom and the belief that such should be a birthright, no matter the fabricated classification of their oppressors, was not lost in the passing of time.

On the island of St. Croix in 1848, enslaved individuals initiated an armed insurrection that ultimately led to their emancipation. This act of strategic ingenuity positioned the Virgin Islands as one of only two instances in the Western Hemisphere where enslaved people successfully fought for and gained their freedom through an organized revolt.

Although Virgin Islanders obtained liberation, they soon discovered that their emancipation and equality were not synonymous.

In 1878, in a revolt over labor laws, which left them pretty much as enslaved peoples living on plantations, a rebellion was led by what we call Queens Mary, Matilda, Agnes, and Susannah.

Even though the movement resulted in bloodshed, their deaths were not in vain. Their struggles and sacrifices for improved working conditions served as a foundational influence on the 1892 Coal Workers' Strike spearheaded by Queen Coziah. This was a pivotal source of inspiration to stand against oppression and fight for greater opportunities.

We continue to fight in the Virgin Islands, and although we still face hardships such as our continued battle to attain the fundamental and constitutional rights denied by the Insular Cases, rights that are given to all Americans except those who live in territories, we are in an era that will be a catalyst to spur on the next revolution.

To stop now, even for a moment, would be sacrilege to the countless sacrifices and bloodshed of our ancestors. We must not take for granted the gifts that they have given us through their bloodshed. We must fight on for full equality, self-determination, and our own liberation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Washington for the opportunity to speak on this matter, and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for really digging into this information and recognizing the potential national security interests as you heard outlined by them both.

There are hundreds of undersea fiber optic telecommunications cables linking North America with Europe, South America, and a myriad of locations in Asia, but not a single undersea fiber optic telecommunications cable connects North America with the entire African Continent.

The DiasporaLink Act represents an opportunity to establish a high- speed, secure telecommunications data connection to Africa and from American soil facilitating deepened economic connections and aiding American regional security assistance. This link will allow America to establish a direct digital presence on the continent to capitalize on emerging economic opportunities, as well as to protect our Nation against cyber and military threats that may come from the African Continent.

The landing points of Lagos, Nigeria, and Accra, Ghana, have been selected as part of the study on the continent as landing points for the cables. These coastal cities are hubs for several undersea cables that connect West African nations to Europe and South America. Additionally, the strategically located American Embassies at these landing points provide additional security for us.

There are two other nations which have been proliferating throughout the African Continent at this time. Both of those are our adversaries, and it is incredibly important that we establish our own telecommunications internet undersea cable to the continent.

The first one, which is China, has a proliferation of Chinese telecommunications and military investments which is profound and growing. The Chinese multinational Huawei has constructed roughly 70 percent of Africa's information technology infrastructure. China continues to make similar investments in the Caribbean through its

Belt and Road Initiative. No less than 10 nations have signed agreements of various kinds to open their nations up to Chinese influence.

Russia, as well, has developed a multipolar world order. Its deployment of disinformation and its use of mercenaries have undermined democratic stability and driven conflict on the continent of Africa. Moscow's increasing ambitions to position itself as an ally to African countries and stoke anti-Western sentiment has assisted to turn the continent into a flash point in the global strategic competition between Russia and the West.

Russia's support of authoritarian governments, including its backing of a string of coups in recent years, is undermining the continent's democratic aspirations. Meanwhile, the involvement of Russia's Wagner Group is driving conflict, worsening human rights abuses, and spurring growing militarization in governance: Nigeria in 2023, Mali in 2022, Sudan in 2021, Guinea in 2023, Burkina Faso in 2024, all coups in the last few years with tremendous influence by Russia and China in that.

The undersea cable linking the American East Coast and Africa via the United States Virgin Islands would serve as both a national security instrument and a digital commerce expressway to boost America's global political, economic, and military advantages. Such undersea cable development would facilitate similar links that could be developed in the U.S. Virgin Islands which already has links between the Virgin Islands, South America, and the mainland United States.

We also need to be clear about the minerals that are in Africa that are being extracted continually by both Russia and China. Niger is the world's seventh largest producer of uranium. The Ministry of Mines says that Mali has one of the largest deposits of gold, and lithium, as well; cobalt in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Sudan, which also has tremendous minerals; and Burkina Faso with bauxite and phosphate. These are things being exploited by our adversaries on the continent, which we must have our own dedicated interest in.

The DiasporaLink Act is an opportunity to assure that the United States can continue its work countering the proliferation of Chinese influence in the global telecommunications space. The use of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which not only has those cables, but also has a National Guard installation on the island of St. Croix with a nearby military support airport could expand and support that interest, as well.

I thank the Energy and Commerce Committee for reviewing this at the subcommittee level, having it go through the committee process, the regular order process that this House so desperately wants, and after working together, it unanimously coming out of committee here to the floor.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this measure for the interest not only of our country but for the democracy in the African Continent, as well.

Madam Speaker, on the second anniversary of Russia's invasion, I reaffirm America's steadfast support of Ukraine.

This is not merely a gesture of international solidarity. It is a strategic imperative of the U.S. Our commitment to Ukraine extends beyond the defense of global freedom and democracy. It is fundamentally aligned with America's national interests.

With an investment of less than 5 percent of our defense budget, we have catalyzed a significant shift in the balance of power, crippled over half of Russian military forces, fortified Europe's stability and prosperity, protected our NATO allies, and ensured the stability of global food prices and supplies.

Let me be clear: A stable, democratic Europe is not just beneficial but essential to America's economy, food security, and national defense. The battlefields of Ukraine are the front lines of our freedom itself, and their struggle is our struggle.

As the deadline looms for Federal funding, House Democrats have consistently extended bipartisanship to ensure our government remains open and our national security protected.

The time for decisive action is now.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 180th anniversary of the Dominican Republic's independence.

This past weekend, the streets in downtown Christiansted, St. Croix, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, were alive with the spirit of the Independence Day Parade, a tradition that has graced our islands for 15 years and serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of our shared heritage.

The Virgin Islands prides itself on being a melting pot of cultures, and the active participation and integration of the Dominican community showcase the strength and beauty of that diversity.

It is inspiring to see members of the Dominican community opening businesses, contributing to our economy, and taking on key roles in our government as they share their passion and their ideas.

Those efforts and achievements reinforce the value of cultural exchange and mutual respect that are the foundation of our society.

It is the fabric that weaves our communities together and allows every ethnicity and nationality to celebrate their unique culture and traditions.

Here is to many more years of friendship, collaboration, and shared prosperity between the Virgin Islands and, indeed, the United States and the Dominican Republic.

Today, I honor the St. Croix Avis, our cherished newspaper, as it has concluded a remarkable 180-year journey leaving a legacy that is both historic and deeply rooted in our community.

Established in 1844, the St. Croix Avis was a beacon of enlightenment. It laid the foundation for a literate Black population. The paper was Black owned and Black run, and symbolized not only the dissemination of information but also the affirmation of the dignity of voicing an opinion.

Over the decades, the Avis has been more than a witness to history, it has been its scribe. From the era of chattel slavery to modern challenges, it has chronicled our evolution as a people and served as an invaluable source of information and engagement in our community.

Let us remember the St. Croix Avis for the history it helped write and for the critical role it played in our community's growth and development.

I thank Rena and her Dad, Mr. Brodhurst, and the previous owners. It will forever remain a cherished chapter in the story of the Virgin Islands and an enduring symbol of our Virgin Islands dignity and pride.

Madam Speaker, this month of January has been National Poverty in America Awareness Month. The grim reality is that over 40 million Americans, including nearly 20 percent of individuals in my home of the Virgin Islands and 30 percent of children there, live in poverty. This issue is not an inevitability, but a crisis that we have the power to resolve.

Poverty manifests not only through hunger, but also limited education, social discrimination, desperation, which leads to crime, and diminished democratic participation. Tragically, communities of color and people living in territories face even greater disadvantages.

It is disheartening to see a lack of concerted effort and poverty alleviation in this House. Many of my Republican colleagues, fixated on political stunts and threatening critical funding cuts, have diverted attention from this pressing issue.

We must prioritize bipartisan collaboration, whether it is the border or hunger in our own land, over political posturing. We must unite in our commitment to eradicate poverty, uplift every citizen, and guarantee a prosperous future for people across our land.

Madam Speaker, today I rise in recognition of Veterans Day to honor the brave souls from the Virgin Islands and throughout the Nation for their selfless and valiant service.

In the Virgin Islands, our veterans' spirit of service is a beacon of inspiration. Yet, the very liberties they fight tirelessly for are mirrored by the injustices they confront upon returning home: the inequitable access to healthcare and benefits they deserve. This disparity is more than an oversight. It is an egregious mistreatment of our Nation's heroes and has been a driving force for my relentless advocacy to rectify the wrong.

That is why last year I supported the landmark PACT Act guaranteeing veterans harmed by burn pits or other toxins to receive automatic VA healthcare and benefits. I am proud for the successful advocacy for an amendment requiring the GAO to study the state of access and barriers and benefits to veterans living in the territories.

Madam Speaker, we owe our veterans more than gratitude. We owe them action. It is time to deliver on our promise.

Mr. Speaker, I come before you today in support of my colleague Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

All Members of Congress are entitled to freedom of speech. We also recognize that words matter and that they have the power to uplift or to harm others.

While I have joined the statement rejecting certain harmful phraseology that has been used, I believe Congresswoman Tlaib's statement that she did not intend to wish harm to the Jewish community by her words.

Congresswoman Tlaib has all since clarified that she was intending to make an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate.

The ability to have free speech but to be willing to discuss and to change and clarify is not just mature but democratic. No Member should express harm to others, and Congresswoman Tlaib has been willing to listen, clarify, and express compassion.

Yet on the other side of the aisle, we have seen repeatedly Republican Members make disparaging comments that have threatened our fellow colleagues and their families.

We have had members of the Republican Conference make floor speeches about the great replacement theory that is suggestive of white nationalism.

As a Black woman, I am offended.

Will you censure the co-chair of your Conference, Mr. Speaker?

We need to uplift. We need to allow free speech.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment.

This amendment would strike section 7070(d) from the bill, removing language banning the State Department and other agencies from identifying, classifying, or facilitating the classification of any communication by a United States person as misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation, and banning the Federal Government from partnering with nonpartisan, nonprofit, outside experts to identify these threats.

On January 7, 2021, a day after the January 6 insurrection, the National Intelligence Council, Central Intelligence Agency, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, NSA, and the State Department disseminated a then-classified report entitled, ``Foreign Threats to the 2020 U.S. Federal Elections.''

That report was declassified 2 months later, and in it, the best minds of our intelligence community wrote, ``. . . Russian President Putin authorized, and a range of Russian Government organizations conducted, influence operations aimed at denigrating President Biden's candidacy and the Democratic Party, supporting former President Trump, undermining public confidence in the electoral process and exacerbating sociopolitical divisions in the U.S.''

It went on to say that: ``Unlike in 2016 . . . A key element of Moscow's strategy this election cycle was its use of proxies linked to Russian intelligence to push influence narratives--including misleading or unsubstantiated allegations. . . .''

Mr. Chair, in the wake of the chaos and destruction caused by the former President and his followers on January 6, I fear these facts are being forgotten.

So why are we here today with multiple appropriation bills that prevent the Federal Government of the United States from even acknowledging misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, and getting that information to the American public no matter who it is spouted by, whether it is domestic or foreign threats?

Seems to be that my colleagues across the aisle want to use First Amendment rights as a blanket for those kinds of words and uses that are going to destroy the American people. We are not saying that people cannot say these things; what the Federal Government needs to be able to do is inform the American people where that information comes from, if it is, in fact, not factual, if it is conspiracy theories.

I fear that this is being allowed because some empowered corners of our Republican Caucus know another Presidential election is coming and they have been given a cookbook on how to keep chaos in our society.

We know that page one of that cookbook, that first recipe, is Russian propaganda and its penetration of the American people. Let's be clear: It is not only the Kremlin that wants in on this mis-, dis-, and malinformation game, this meal that they are trying to cook for the American people, Iran and China want to get into the kitchen, too.

We know foreign influence efforts are already active and we know many more are coming. Let's make sure that our Federal Government has the expertise and the research to be able to stop it.

Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to approve my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, let me just say that private media companies acting in their own business interest and in the understood interest of public health in the midst of global pandemics are going to do what they think is best for their bottom line. That is what drives them.

As for Orwellian cries, that is absolutely ludicrous that you would be concerned with that. You are only concerned with free speech now because it is impeding conspiracy theories that you want to put forward.

Free speech is not an absolute protection. That is one of the first things you learn in law school in constitutional law. It is not an absolute. It is not an absolute when it is going against the American people and our democracy, and when it is malicious speech.

Additionally, we are not saying that people cannot say these words; we are saying that where the information comes from and how it is used, our Federal Government should be allowed to track that.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chair, this amendment would strike Section 8149 from the bill, removing language banning the Department of Defense from classifying or facilitating the classification of any communications by a United States person as misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation, and banning the Department of Defense from partnering with nonpartisan, nonprofit, outside experts to identify these threats.

As we know, misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation are three of the most important and far-reaching weapons of America's adversaries in Beijing, Tehran, and particularly the Kremlin.

According to the State Department, Russia has operationalized the concept of perpetual adversarial competition in the information environment by encouraging the development of a disinformation and propaganda ecosystem. This ecosystem then creates and spreads false narratives to strategically advance the Kremlin's policy goals. There is no subject off limits to this firehose of falsehoods. Everything from human rights and environmental policy to assassinations and civilian-killing bombing campaigns are fair targets in Russia's malign playbook.

Only truth disarms these disinformation weapons, and the House of Representatives must support our government to ensure that foreign adversaries do not use the American people to disseminate lies with the goal of destroying our democracy without identifying them as misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation.

Here are some truths: The Federal Government of the United States of America and the Department of Defense that we are working here to fund today are unequivocally responsible for the protection of American citizens from all enemies, all threats foreign or domestic. All threats mean all threats, whether the threat is kinetic, economic, infectious, in cyberspace or on Main Street. It is our job to provide the defense of the Nation and its people.

We must continue to come together to seek and promote the truth, and I urge my colleagues to approve this amendment.

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

Mr. Chair, we all believe in the importance of the First

Amendment. We all believe in the American people's ability and their right to be able to speak out. What we also need to be aware of is the use of misinformation, disinformation by our foreign adversaries, and for the ability of our government to label that as such. It is not to stop people from saying it. It is the ability for us to tell what are lies and what is truth.

I am the ranking member on the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, and what the American people have seen thus far from that committee is the weaponization of Congress to be able to put forward conspiracy theories and lies to support power and quest for conquest over the American people.

Mr. Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum).

Mr. Chair, I have nothing further, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, as we in Washington argue over the budget and the depletion of FEMA funds for rebuilding, children in the Virgin Islands are suffering from excessive heat in classrooms that has affected the academic calendar year of students in the territory. Excessive heat has literally contributed to substantial interruption of the learning at a critical part of the school year.

Students have been so deeply affected by these issues that they have taken to the streets on the island of St. Croix to protest what they believe to be the current administration's lack of maintenance of the school. Our students have embraced the spirit of protest that runs so strongly in the heritage of Virgin Islanders as a means of challenging the establishment.

A week ago, St. Croix teachers, led by a local arm of the AFT, executed a job action and staged a strike to call attention to a myriad of issues that continue to plague the schools in the territory--lack of AC units or fans amidst a heat wave, much-needed electrical upgrades, limited supplies, et cetera. The students themselves joined the teachers, and I am incredibly proud of the youth.

We need to put pressure on FEMA. We need to work collaboratively together to get these schools in the order they need to be for the children. Virgin Islanders must come together for our children.

Mr. Speaker, we find ourselves in a critical juncture in our Nation's history. You have heard my colleagues say that we have 16 days left. That is only 9 legislative days away from a government shutdown.

The extreme MAGA Republicans in the Republican Conference are driving the entire Republican majority to time and time again pursue their divisive agenda at the cost of American lives. This would inflict untold harm upon millions of hardworking families and jeopardize our national security. This is not governance; this is political gamesmanship.

Let me be clear. They have chosen to embark on a perilous path that threatens the very fabric of our government and the well-being of our citizens in an attempt to slash vital investments in healthcare, childcare, education, and food assistance.

This senseless self-manufactured crisis would disrupt critical government services. I implore my colleagues across the aisle to stop playing political games and join us in the commitment to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, as we mark the solemn sixth anniversary of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, I am reminded of the indomitable spirit of Virgin Islanders who faced these devastating Category 5 storms, and the invaluable support we received from Members of Congress who rallied to secure much-needed funding for our recovery.

The impact of two twin Category 5 hurricanes unleased unprecedented destruction upon the Virgin Islands of the United States, leaving a trail of devastation that will be remembered for generations.

September 6, 2017, witnessed the relentless fury of Hurricane Irma as it swept across our territory, carving a path of devastation that lingers in our collective memory. A mere fortnight later, Hurricane Maria descended upon our already devastated islands, compounding the damage exponentially.

In the wake of these unparalleled catastrophes, the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands demonstrated incredible resilience and determination, while other places receiving such damage cried and wailed about what had happened to them. Virgin Islanders, as always, not believing that support would come, looked to one another.

We came together to support one another, rebuild our communities, and lay the foundation for one more resilient future. The road to recovery has been long and arduous, but the spirit of Virgin Islanders remains unbroken, and the commitment to rebuilding stronger and more resilient persists.

As we approach the exhaustion of FEMA disaster relief funding, we face an impending crisis. FEMA has announced the implementation of immediate needs funding due to the dwindling disaster relief fund. Under INF, immediate needs funding, new obligations for public assistance not essential for lifesaving and life-sustaining activities, permanent work, and the hazard mitigation grant program will be paused until the disaster relief funding is sufficiently supplied.

Without FEMA funding, crucial programs such as public school reconstruction and essential services hang in the balance. Moreover, we are only 10 legislative days away from a government shutdown, with some of our colleagues more concerned about baseless political vendettas than the well-being of the American people.

I implore my colleagues to rise above partisan extremes and deliver for the American people. The Biden-Harris administration has requested $16 billion in supplemental funding to replenish the disaster relief fund. This request

should receive bipartisan support for disaster-impacted areas across the United States. It is crucial that we put the needs of our constituents first, prioritizing disaster relief over political bickering.

I say to my Virgin Islands brothers and sisters, that opportunities are fragile and don't always come through for us. We have got to do what needs to be done to support our own rebuilding if Washington cannot.

Mr. Speaker, I will continue to work on behalf of Virgin Islanders to assess the support needed for our ongoing rebuilding efforts. Together, we share the responsibility of ensuring that the U.S. Virgin Islands emerge from the twin tragedies stronger and more resilient.

The opportunity before us is significant, and we must not let it slip away. Let us act swiftly to provide the necessary funding and support for all disaster-impacted areas across America to build a more resilient preparedness plan.

Mr. Speaker, may we rise to this challenge with the strength and unity it demands, and may we, as Virgin Islanders, remain VI strong.

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate my predecessor, the Honorable Dr. Donna Christensen, on the unanimous approval of the Virgin Islands legislature to rename the Charles Harwood Memorial Complex in her honor.

Dr. Christensen has spent her life as a public servant and a leader in each of her roles, whether it is medical, educational, or political. For decades, she has built a legacy as a pioneer. She was the first female physician to serve as a Member of Congress, the first female to represent an offshore territory in Congress, and the first female to represent the Virgin Islands in this body.

Acutely aware of the unique challenges faced by Virgin Islanders, Dr. Christensen has remained a staunch advocate for health equity for minorities in the territory and underserved communities, such as her influential work for minority health in the Affordable Care Act. In my work, I continue to build on her legacy through the tireless battle to attain equitable treatment for the people of the Virgin Islands.

I thank Dr. Christensen.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today on behalf of slain Virgin Islands Detective Delberth Phipps, Jr.

Detective Phipps was killed in the line of duty on July 4, 2023. He and his fellow officers rushed to the scene of an active shooting where a gunman, armed with an AR-15 rifle and bulletproof vest, opened fire. He gave his life in service to his community.

My prayers and deepest condolences go to his family, his son, Demel Phipps, along with his loved ones and fellow Virgin Islands Police Department officers.

According to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, arms trafficking is a major factor as to why the U.S. Virgin Islands, my home, has had a homicide rate nine times higher than on the mainland. The Virgin Islands does not manufacture guns, yet we have one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world.

It is no secret that with open land, there is drug trafficking through our corridor. The weapons that continue to flood our shores are a byproduct of the lax, if not nonexistent, gun laws throughout the continental U.S., particularly Florida,

The daughter of multiple generations of law enforcement officers, I understand the commitment of not just officers but their families to protect and serve.

I stand with Officer Phipps and all of the Virgin Islands Police Department. You have my commitment to fight for you all.