Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, as a young woman in Texas, I marched with hundreds of other women in support of the equal rights amendment. Today, I stand with all my colleagues here to affirm our support for women's equality.

Women are behind some of the Nation's greatest achievements. We flew across the Atlantic, fought for civil rights, set athletic records, sent men to space, and then went there ourselves. We have forged our own paths and put many cracks in the glass ceiling, but there is still much more to do.

``Women deserve equality.'' ``Las mujeres merecemos igualdad.''

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.J. Res. 17.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about possibly the most important bill this House has passed in recent years.

Yesterday, we passed the American Rescue Plan, a bill that spends $1.9 trillion to crush the virus and protect our economy. For the cities in my district, this means $615 million to Houston, $42 million for Pasadena, $2.3 million for Galena Park, $3.8 million fo11-15r South Houston, and $2.2 million for San Jacinto City.

That is money that keeps first responders on the job. That is money that keeps our water running and our trash picked up, and it is also money that keeps families together.

But beyond the numbers, this is the greatest antipoverty bill since Social Security. This bill cuts Hispanic poverty by 39 percent and African-American poverty by 42 percent.

Madam Speaker, we have to continue to build on these efforts. I want to thank all of my colleagues for coming together to fight poverty on a scale that we truly need.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act.

Mr. Speaker, I grew up on a farm. I was taught at an early age how to handle a .22 and shotgun. We used them for hunting, to put food on the table.

But this bill is just simply a background check for every gun sale or transfer, with commonsense exceptions. As the previous speaker noted, this has nothing to do with keeping someone who legally obtained a gun from getting one.

When my niece got her first buck over the holidays at the family farm, my brother-in-law gave her his favorite shotgun as a present. They were all so excited. That would be exempted from any paperwork, and that just makes sense.

My amendment also makes sense. It simply codifies the practice of ensuring that the background check forms and notifications used to purchase or transfer a firearm remain available in Spanish, as well as in English.

Our country is blessed with a diverse population. Language diversity is part of that diversity that we should celebrate.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask for continued support of my district, my city and my state, as we recover from the impact of the winter storm. Many Texans are still suffering.

Even worse, many are still grieving the loss of a loved one. In Harris county alone, 25 human lives were lost as a consequence of this storm.

Senior citizens account for more than one third of the deaths in Harris County.

One woman, 100 years old, was taken to a hospital after being found unresponsive in a home with no power.

The youngest victim was just 8, he was found in a home while using a gas-powered generator, dying of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The damage extends far beyond the city of Houston. Over 200 Texans died. Thousands lost their homes, and 390 thousand still lack access to clean water.

I ask my colleagues, and those watching, that they continue to pray for the people of Texas, and that they help in any way they can.

For those who have already helped I thank you. Thank you very much (Muchisimas gracias).

Madam Speaker, as a woman, as a feminist, as someone who lettered in basketball and truly believes in women's sports, this is the Equality Act. Any misrepresentation by some speakers today is just totally unfounded.

While we have made much progress in recent years, the reality is that many still face discrimination simply because of who they are and who they love. That means that LGBTQ Americans can be fired, refused housing, or denied services simply because of who they are.

I am a proud original cosponsor, and I am also a woman of faith. I know that this Equality Act would help greatly to extend civil rights and civil liberties for the LGBTQ community, to live out the true meaning of our Nation's creed, free from the fear of harassment or discrimination.

Updating Federal law will provide protections across key areas of life, including employment, housing, and access to public spaces and services. This bill has nothing to do with abortion, nothing to do with some of the things my colleagues across the aisle have said.

And in my home State of Texas, we will finally have protections for the LGBTQ Texans.

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

The Democrats just said that this bill doesn't harm Title IX. They have said it will not hinder women's ability to participate in sports. That is just not true.

They say it is not going to make it harder for women to participate in sports. It may not make it harder, but it is sure going to make it more difficult to win. We know that. That is the problem. And if that doesn't undermine the spirit of Title IX, I don't know what does.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy).

Madam Speaker, this President took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. Instead, he has chosen to betray and attack our sacred democracy.

This President violated his oath. He abused the power of his office, attempted to betray the will of the American people, and incited insurrection against this very House.

During the last impeachment trial, I reminded all Americans that democracy is a gift that each generation gives to the next. We must do all to protect it for our children and our future.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before the House floor today alarmed--alarmed that just days ago a sitting President stirred up a deadly attack on our U.S. Capitol. I join my colleagues in calling on Vice President Pence to activate Section 4 of the 25th Amendment.

It has become abundantly clear that this President has threatened our democratic system, has interfered with the peaceful transition of power, and has endangered an equal branch of government. The President of the United States is unhinged, unfit, and unstable, or as we say in my district, ``esta loco el hombre,'' to the point where he is willing to tear our democracy down unless he prevails in his quest to overturn the election that he clearly lost.

The actions taken by this President and those who enable him show that he is unfit to uphold the duties of his office. For the sake of our Nation's security, this President must be swiftly removed.

Mr. Speaker, democracy is a gift that one generation gives to the next.

Madam Speaker, today, with this resolution, the House continues the fight for equality and dignity for every person.

It's not important to us where you came from. It only matters that you're here now.

Sin embargo vamos a luchar por la igualidad y la dignidad de cada persona.

No es importante para nosotros de donde vienes. Solo nos importa que estes aqui ahora.

When I was Harris County Commissioner, I was told, ``Go back to Mexico and crawl back under the rock you came from.''

When we were debating the anti-immigrant racial profiling bill SB 4 in the Texas Senate, I received a call. ``I've got guns. Lots of guns,'' the man said. But this credible death threat didn't stop us.

An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us as Americans.

Un ataque contra uno es un ataque contra todos como Americanos.

Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Madam Chair, this amendment is simple and straightforward. It is 15 words. It prohibits defense facilities from being used to house or detain unaccompanied migrant children.

I understand the bill already provides some safeguards, so detention at DOD facilities would follow certain guidelines, but this amendment makes clear that the policy to detain children is out of line with American principles. Detention is not the answer to an influx of migrants.

There are communities across the country, including in my own district, ready to welcome the children seeking refuge. Asylum seekers are not criminals; they are human beings fleeing violence in search of a dignified life. Children fleeing violence should not be met with cruelty.

Preventing migrants from joining society is not only preventing the American economy from growing, but it also is costing taxpayers much more than it should.

Instead of encouraging placement of children with capable sponsors, the entire system appears to be weighted against moving children out of detention, all for the so-called deterrent effect.

There is no national security reason to detain children. Kids are not prisoners of war. They do not belong at military bases. They do not belong in tents. They do not belong in cages. They belong in the arms of their mothers and with their families.

It is our broken immigration system that keeps children locked up. It is inhumane; it is cruel; and it is unconscionable.

The administration's policies resemble those of a military style, and the distress it creates in the system is generating a costly humanitarian crisis. We should move away from this injustice and support my amendment.

We must close all baby jails, and Congress must stop perpetuating the expensive and cruel patchwork the immigration system has become. We must learn from the lessons that history teaches us and not turn military bases into internment camps.

This amendment would ensure that we don't repeat past mistakes. This amendment would also prohibit the administration from detaining immigrant children at Fort Sill, a military base once used as an internment camp for Japanese Americans.

Moreover, this administration is considering detaining migrants in Guantanamo Bay. This amendment would prevent children from being shipped and detained there.

The military should not be dragged into this detention crisis that this administration has created. Mission readiness should always be the top priority for our armed services.

Madam Chairwoman, I thank Representative Chuy Garcia from Illinois, Juan Vargas from California, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York, Rashida Tlaib from Michigan, and Ayanna Pressley from Massachusetts for their cosponsorship of this amendment.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this simple amendment, 15 words that protect our children and helps put them in the arms of their families.

Madam Chairwoman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairwoman, how much time do I have remaining?

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee), my colleague from Houston.

Madam Chairwoman, I will just close. I think I probably have about 30 to 45 seconds.

I just want to repeat something I have said. I think it is important that we emphasize that we are talking about children, young children.

And, again, there is no national security reason to detain children. Kids aren't prisoners of war. They do not belong in military bases. They do not belong in tents. They do not belong in

cages. They belong in the arms of their mothers or with their families or with a capable sponsor.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, the health and safety of millions are at risk. Today, the Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments aimed at repealing the Affordable Care Act.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wants to end healthcare coverage for people with preexisting conditions, young adults, and pregnant women. Texas already has the highest number of uninsured people anywhere in the United States, and that number would increase by 1.7 million if these protections ended, including many in my district.

We know that America suffers when people go uninsured. We can't afford to let our families, our neighbors, our fellow Texans lose these protections.

Premiums and out-of-pocket costs for doctors' appointments and hospital visits will increase significantly.

House Democrats will continue to fight to expand access to affordable, quality healthcare and to lower prescription drug prices.

Madam Speaker, I rise to discuss an issue that is rooted in my deeply held religious belief that we are all God's children.

This June, in honor of Pride month, I rise not only to recognize the many contributions of the LGBTQ community, but also to remind my colleagues of the discrimination faced by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer people.

House Democrats worked together last month to make history by passing the Equality Act and passed the Defense Appropriations bill with a provision to block this Administration's attempts to discriminate against the transgender community and will continue the fight until there is true equality. I know this House will continue to fight and stand up for equality.

This Pride Month, I also want to pay special tribute to LGBTQ people living in fear of deportation.

This Administration's policies of fear and cruelty especially impact already vulnerable

populations. Rest assured, you have someone in Congress working to make our immigration system fair for all, including LGBTQ New Americans.

Happy Pride Month.

Madam Chair, during Roll Call Vote number No. 386 on Mullin Amendment 148, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``yea'' when I should have voted ``nay.''

Amendment No. 158 Offered by Mr. Graves of Louisiana

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn the inhumane treatment of immigrants at detention centers around the country.

Recently exposed documents paint a gruesome picture of ICE custodians abusing the practice of solitary confinement on immigration detainees. Often these detainees have not violated rules or shown dangerous behavior, but, in some instances, are being held in isolation because they are disabled or because they identify as gay.

Even under ICE's own guidelines, solitary confinement is a serious step that requires careful consideration of all alternatives. Yet, ICE is using this practice as a tool of first resort, not last resort. One detainee noted that the strain of the isolation made him lose his mind.

These reported cases reveal what we already feared: that this administration is committed to widespread abuse of human beings simply because of who they are and where they come from.

Mr. Speaker, I learned at an early age that we are all God's children. This is not the way to treat God's children.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to remind everyone that we have a responsibility to do everything we can to address the epidemic of senseless gun violence that is plaguing our nation.

June is Gun Violence Prevention Month and we must use this opportunity to come together to not only raise awareness of gun violence but also take action.

We're reminded again after the recent Virginia Beach Shooting that too many of our loved ones are lost to senseless gun violence that could be prevented by keeping firearms out of dangerous hands.

That is why I was proud to vote for H.R. 8 and urge my Senate colleagues to do the same.

This common-sense bill will prevent private firearm sales to prohibited purchasers, and close online and gun show loopholes. Thus, we will move towards ensuring firearms are obtained responsibly.

While this bill does not cover everything, it is a step in the right direction that will make the United States safer for our families and communities.

Mr. Speaker, I thank our chair, our leadership, and, particularly, Nancy Pelosi for making sure that this bill was a priority bill.

For me, I have dedicated a great part of my life in public service to helping immigrants who come to the United States in search of a prosperous and dignified life.

Today, I am honored to participate in this historic day in the House of Representatives.

Since 2001, when the DREAM Act was first conceived, Dreamers have waited.

In 2012, DACA enabled eligible young adults to work lawfully, attend school, and contribute to society without the constant fear of deportation.

DACA, however, does not provide a path to citizenship, and it leaves out a huge number of deserving Dreamers.

Now, in 2019, they are still waiting. They are Americans in waiting. Right now, Dreamers live in fear of being deported to countries they may never have known, don't remember, or don't know at all, countries with which they have little or no personal connection.

And, because of their status, most Dreamers have never left the United States, never having had the opportunity to know their places of origin and never knowing any other place to call home other than the American communities in which they grew up. Some don't even know another language other than English.

Opponents of this bill fail to realize that it is not just about the Dreamers. It is also their families that would be harmed by mass deportations. It is their employers who would lose key members of their workforce. It is their communities who would lose vital members of their community.

It bears repeating: Dreamers are American in every way except on paper. In their hearts, in their minds, and in their souls, they are Americans. They are Americans in waiting.

Many have been in this country for decades, becoming business owners, employers, and homeowners.