Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, we are about to witness the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Hundreds of thousands of Federal employees, many in my own district, are not certain when or if their next paycheck is coming, and for what? For what? For a border wall?

Mr. Speaker, in San Diego, we know walls. We have a triple fence, and we know there are real concerns on the border. Let's work on solving those problems. Spending billions of dollars on a wall won't.

In San Diego, we have the most modern port of entry in the country. It works well to catch drugs and stop criminals. If the President wants border security, well, that, that should be our focus.

Paola Avila, of the San Diego Chamber said it best: ``Our border region is an opportunity zone, not a danger zone.''

Let's take that opportunity and work to improve our border, not waste money on a wall. And let's not waste any more time. Federal employees want to get back to work.

We have already passed legislation, bipartisan legislation, to end this shutdown. Let's reopen the government today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of a truly dedicated public servant, Sharon Schultze. Sharon was a tireless advocate for social justice and civility, a loyal senior Congressional aide, and generous mentor. Sharon dedicated her life to serving the poor, the downtrodden, and the most vulnerable. She will be remembered by all those who knew her for her selflessness and love. Sharon was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and moved to San Diego after getting married. She was instrumental in creating a ground breaking program at the University of San Diego's Law School, the Mira Mesa Mediation Center, which helped people from diverse backgrounds resolve conflict peacefully and civilly. The center later developed into the National Conflict Resolution Center.

Sharon worked for Bob Filner throughout his entire political career, from the San Diego School Board to San Diego City Council to the United States Congress. Sharon passionately served the people of San Diego for over three decades, taking on various responsibilities throughout Filner's different elected offices. One of her favorite projects while working for Congressman Filner was helping him chose the district winner of the Congressional Art Competition wherein high school students from every congressional district in the country compete for an opportunity to display their artwork in the Halls of Congress.

Her favorite role, and the one she found most rewarding, was that of advocate. Sharon took the most joy out of writing legislation that promoted veterans and San Diego residents.

Perhaps the achievements of which Sharon was most proud were her contributions to the veteran community. She helped draft and pass the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008, which provides full, four-year tuition to military veterans who enlisted after September 11, 2001 attending public universities across the country. She was instrumental in the passage of legislation supporting Filipino veterans and Merchant Marines who served the United States during World War II receiving full veteran benefits, which they had been previously denied.

Sharon was an amazing, accomplished woman. Her strong worth ethic and professionalism made her a role model and devoted mentor to the young people who looked to her for guidance both in San Diego and in Washington, DC. My office and I were on the receiving end of some of her mentorship. Soon after I was elected to Congress, Sharon was the first to offer guidance and support. Her best quality, noted by many of her friends and family, was that Sharon was a gifted listener. She was there for whoever needed her help, without regard for her time and energy. Sharon bestowed unconditional positive support, kindness, compassion, and empathy to those around her, assuring them that they were loved and valued. She shared her ideas and common sense with others, always making sure to keep people's best interest in mind. She never gave up on making a difference in the world.

Our thoughts go out to her partner of nearly 30 years, Doug Duffield; her three children, Blair, David, and Carol; and Natalie and Zachary, her two grandchildren, who made her heart smile.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of a truly dedicated public servant, Sharon Shultze. Sharon was a tireless advocate for social justice and civility, a loyal senior Congressional aide, and generous mentor. Sharon dedicated her life to serving the poor, the downtrodden, and the most vulnerable. She will be remembered by all those who knew her for her selflessness and love. Sharon was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and moved to San Diego after getting married. She was instrumental in creating a ground breaking program at the University of San Diego's Law School, the Mira Mesa Mediation Center, which helped people from diverse backgrounds resolve conflict peacefully and civilly. The center later developed into the National Conflict Resolution Center. Sharon worked for Bob Filner throughout his entire political career, from the San Diego School Board to San Diego City Council to the United States Congress. Sharon passionately served the people of San Diego for over three decades, taking on various responsibilities throughout Filner's different elected offices. One of her favorite projects while working for Congressman Filner was helping him chose the district winner of the Congressional Art Competition wherein high school students from every congressional district in the country compete for an opportunity to display their artwork in the halls of Congress.

Her favorite role, and the one she found most rewarding, was that of advocate. Sharon took the most joy out of writing legislation that promoted veterans and San Diego residents. Her contributions to the veteran community include helping to draft and pass the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008 which provides full, four- year tuition to military veterans attending public universities across the country who enlisted after September 11, 2001. Perhaps the achievement Sharon was most proud of in the veteran community was her contribution toward the passage of legislation in support of Filipino veterans and Merchant Marines who served the United States during World War II receiving full veteran benefits, which they had been previously denied. Sharon was an amazing, accomplished woman. Her strong worth ethic and professionalism made her a role model and devoted mentor to the young people who looked to her for guidance both in San Diego and in Washington, DC. My office and I were on the receiving end of some of her mentorship. Soon after I was elected to Congress, Sharon was the first to offer guidance and support. Her best quality, noted by many of her friends and family, was that Sharon was a gifted listener. She was there for whoever needed her help, without regard for her time and energy. Sharon bestowed unconditional positive support, kindness, compassion, and empathy to those around her, assuring them that they were loved and valued. She shared her ideas and common sense with others, always making sure to keep people's best interest in mind. She never gave up on making a difference in the world.

Our thoughts go out to her partner of nearly 30 years, Doug Duffield; her three children, Blair, David, and Carol; and Natalie and Zachary, her two grandchildren, who made her heart smile.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a San Diego business and civic leader, Patti Roscoe as she is honored as the 2018 ``Ms. San Diego.'' More personally, I rise today to congratulate a wonderful friend on her lifelong achievements in service to others.

Started in 1952, this annual tribute was limited only to men. It wasn't until 40 years ago that both men and women were eligible for this honor. Patti will be the sixth woman to hold this distinction in its 66-year history. Originally from Buffalo, New York, Patti discovered a career in hospitality spending fifteen years in the hotel and destination management industry. Patti was the founder of PRA Destination Management Company; San Diego Rotary Club President from 2003 to 2004; board member for San Diego State University's Campanile Foundation, as well as the board of advisors for San Diego State University's Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, of which she was a co-founder; Plank Owner of the USS Midway; and trustee of the San Diego Library Foundation. This is just to name a few of her many achievements.

In 2010, Patti helped create an endowment at the Institute of Meetings and Events, the first of its kind in the nation, which provides scholarships in the MFA Musical Theater graduate program and Hospitality & Tourism Management program, as well as an endowment for student athletes. In 2015, Patti was recognized by the Global Society of Incentive Travel Excellence for embodying integrity and making notable contributions with long-term service to incentive travel and motivational events industry.

In June, she received the Neil Morgan Visionary Award for Lifetime Achievement from LEAD and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. Three organizations have recognized Patti with Lifetime Achievement Awards: The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, San Diego Rotary Club, and The International Special Events Industry.

I commend Patti for her many accomplishments and contributions. A mother to three children and a grandmother to three grandchildren Patti truly understands the meaning of empathy and service to the community. Patti knows how to take care of business and work overtime for the betterment of the San Diego community and beyond.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Thornberry and Ranking Member Smith and the professional and personal staff for all of their hard work.

Mr. Speaker, this year's NDAA is multifaceted, and it is complex. It contains many good things for our servicemembers, but it also contains areas of concern.

I support this year's NDAA's new reforms designed to restore the readiness, capability, and capacity of a force that has been asked to do too much with too little. The conference report contains a number of policy items focused on servicemembers' quality of life in a wide range of areas, including healthcare for disabled veterans, care for servicemembers' children, mental health services, sexual assault prevention, maternity leave, and retention of women in the military.

This bill also contains language acknowledging the critical role women play in the security of their country. It contains provisions ensuring that Afghan and Syrian women are not overlooked as a critical component in conflict resolution.

I would also like to reiterate an area of concern. Developing new low-yield nuclear weapons when we currently have more nuclear weapons than we can ever possibly use is not just a waste of money; it also lowers the threshold required before a nuclear conflict begins. A nuclear weapon is a nuclear weapon, no matter what its size. Any nuclear use would fundamentally change the rules of the game.

We do not follow the dangerous and reckless Russian doctrine of escalate to deescalate. We shouldn't mirror their reckless strategy. What do we hope to gain strategically by proliferating low-yield weapons?

Mr. Speaker, this is a strong bipartisan bill which will help our Nation protect itself in a changing world. I recommend a ``yes'' vote.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that our colleagues in the Senate have joined the House in passing career and technical education legislation. I want to thank Chairwoman Foxx and Ranking Member Scott, along with our authors of the bill, for your leadership in moving the House version of this bill through committee.

Also, today, we gathered experts from across the country to participate in the committee's first Workforce Innovation Forum. We just had an opportunity to hear from these innovators from cities around the country about the importance of investments and workforce development programs, and they shared how Federal investments can spur private investments in students, raise public awareness--very, very critical--of these programs, and connect workers to jobs in their communities.

CTE provides a crucial link between the K-12 system and the workforce, and allows promising students to prepare for fields where high-paying jobs are available.

Mr. Speaker, every day, families across America gather around the kitchen table to discuss college and career options, and we need to make sure that high-need job development programs are a bigger part of that conversation. Students and parents need good, current information to make these critical decisions.

The flexibility in many of these programs offers our students less time in the classroom and more time in the workplace. And the hands-on education model keeps people engaged while teaching necessary soft skills before graduation.

Every person deserves a quality education, and every community deserves a thriving local economy with highly skilled workers. I am proud to support career and technical education, and look forward to working with our community partners to implement this very important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Pride Month in San Diego and honor our progress.

In 1974, a group of LGBTQ San Diegans were denied a permit to host a pride parade. Despite facing great danger, dozens bravely marched in the streets. So this weekend, over 200,000 San Diegans are expected to join together to celebrate how far we have come and spread the message of equality.

Though we have made great progress, this month also marks the 1-year anniversary of a lawsuit that was actually

filed against me for displaying a pride flag in front of my office. This frivolous lawsuit is a great reminder of why Pride Month is still necessary and why our work is never done.

The pride flag symbolizes the ideals of liberty, equality, and love that this month celebrates. No lawsuit will deter me from defending these values.

I am proud to be an ally in this fight and will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our LGBTQ community.

Happy pride, San Diego.

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Correa for this Special Order.

Mr. Speaker, the Trump administration has just missed their court deadline for reuniting the youngest children separated from their parents, and there seems to be no solution in sight for these innocent children.

Over 20 days ago, even before the court order, I led my colleagues in writing a letter to Homeland Security and Health and Human Services asking what their plans were for reuniting separated children with their families.

I have yet to get an answer. The American people deserve to know where the children are and how they will be safely returned to their families.

In a world where we can track nearly everything in real time, how is a Federal agency unable to provide answers to Congress on the whereabouts of kids in their care?

We are told that agencies did not coordinate their efforts. Did they not plan for this? Do they not understand the concept of interoperability that we have come to use within our administrations?

This administration's cruel policies are overwhelming our already burdened judicial and foster care systems, and the American people are stuck paying the price. It is time for this administration to realize that policy decisions have consequences.

Even the few children who have been reunited with their families will carry the scars of this appalling experience throughout their lives. We have already heard reports that some of the youngest do not recognize their parents as they are reunited. That is understandable. In fact, it is even anticipated. Families, as we are seeing, are traumatized. They are scared. They are heartbroken, as anybody would be in their shoes.

Mr. Speaker, I once again call on this administration to answer critical questions about the whereabouts of the children and reunite them with their families immediately.

Mr. Speaker, from his very first day in office, President Trump has worked to sabotage and repeal the Affordable Care Act.

Despite being unable to pass a repeal bill, President Trump hasn't stopped working to make it harder for people with preexisting conditions to afford coverage. Last week, HHS announced that it will allow the sale of short-term junk insurance plans that don't provide essential coverage and exclude people with preexisting conditions. Meanwhile, Attorney General Jeff Sessions argues that such protections are unconstitutional.

Mr. Speaker, it is hard to understand why the President, who promised wonderful healthcare for all, is so committed to attacking the most popular parts of the Affordable Care Act.

Constance, a constituent from my district, wrote, back during the repeal debate, that: ``The ACA saved my life, as I would not be able to afford my healthcare without it.''

Mr. Speaker, we in Congress need to be doing more to protect people like Constance and all of those who have been diagnosed with a preexisting condition.

We need to be doing more, not less

Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I led my colleagues in a letter to Secretaries Nielsen and Azar asking about plans to reunify the thousands of children separated from their parents. Neither the President's executive order nor the bills before us address the crisis facing these traumatized children. The American people deserve to know how and when the detained children will be returned to their parents.

What is the plan to reunite children with their loved ones?

What are the agencies doing to ensure this reunification?

Are they guaranteeing that family members who come forward will not be at risk of deportation themselves?

Shouldn't these questions be at the heart of any legislation we consider? Otherwise, it becomes a priority to build a wall instead of solving these overriding humanitarian crises.

This administration continues to create problems and then scrambles to shift blame after public outcries. We saw it with the Muslim ban; we saw it with DACA; and now, these children are the latest victims.

This Congress should have zero tolerance for intolerance.

I look forward, Mr. Speaker, to hearing back from DHS and HHS, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this inadequate bill.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the committee for including amendment No. 111 in this en bloc.

After the tragic fires that we have seen in California, we must do everything possibly to protect our communities. In San Diego, helicopters and air tankers had to be grounded during fire fights after recreational drones were spotted in the area. These drones can pose a risk to aircraft and emergency personnel flying overhead. That is why my amendment would protect emergency response efforts from interruptions by drones and direct the FAA to work with local agencies to inform the public about this issue.

I want to thank, again, the committee for their tireless work on this bill.

Madam Speaker, President Trump was in my hometown of San Diego this week. He went to inspect prototypes for his proposed border wall, a wall California doesn't want, doesn't need, and is an overly simplistic approach to a complex issue.

The President was in San Diego for just a few hours and missed a real opportunity to hear from locals about what Americans in California actually need. Had he taken the time to actually listen, he might have learned how connected Mexico and the United States are and how important the cross-border economy is to our region. He might have learned about our infrastructure needs, about the contributions of our immigrant communities, or the environmental issues facing our region.

Instead, he flew 3,000 miles on the taxpayers' dime for a photo-op for his political base, that achieved very little. Something is wrong when a President doesn't listen to the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to share excerpts from a letter I received from a 15-year-old in my district of San Diego. It shows the impact the Parkland, Florida, school shooting is having on our young people.

This young person writes: ``I have never been in a school shooting nor do I know anyone who has, yet I feel every time I think about it or have a dream about it, I experience it.

``I'm only 15 years old, why am I terrified to go to places I used to love because someone could shoot me?

``Why is it so easy to buy and make guns in this country?

``Why can nobody seem to do the right thing and put a stop to this?

``Why does nobody pay attention to the kids in this country who have never been in a shooting but live in constant fear and do not feel safe?

``I am asking you to do something about the gun policies in this country so people stop dying and younger generations of people can feel safe.

``Put us first, not guns.''

Mr. Speaker, what is the Chair's answer to this young voice?

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 84

Mr. Speaker, a precocious 10-year-old named Stella reminded me yesterday that we teach our children in kindergarten that it doesn't matter who starts a problem, what counts is that we end it.

She asked me how it is that once we become adults we somehow forget that basic lesson.

Looking at Washington right now, I didn't have a good answer for her or for my many constituents who are frustrated by this shutdown.

Just because the President and some in the Congress aren't doing their jobs doesn't mean our Federal workers should not be able to do theirs.

So what do we need? We need real commitment and compromise, not more partisan rhetoric like we have heard today. We have to get this done, get it done right, and get it done soon. Our national security, our Federal workforce, those who serve our country in uniform, our DREAMers, and all of our constituents are depending on us.