Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, due to travel cancellations relating to Hurricane Beryl today, I was unable to vote during today's vote series. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted YEA on H.R. 897, the Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act, and YEA on H.R. 5441, the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act of 2023.-

personal explanation

Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of all the women who don't have the opportunity to stand here today.

Since the Dobbs decision, Republicans have imposed draconian bans to endanger women for the sake of power. Their obsession is power: power over their wives, sisters, daughters, every woman in our country.

Donald Trump, my Governor Greg Abbott, and their cronies seem to take joy in the harm they cause women, despite their oath to protect them.

Calls to the National Domestic Violence hotline about rape or sabotaged birth control have nearly doubled. Doubled.

The laws enacted by extreme MAGA lawmakers have increased domestic abuse, and they carry this stain on their hands.

However, when Greg Abbott looks at these facts, it is like the porch light is on but nobody is home.

Back home in Texas, we say: Don't mess with Texas.

Mr. Speaker, I am here to tell Greg Abbott and Donald Trump: Don't mess with Texas women. This is why we will always put women over politics and healthcare over bans.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the destruction gun violence has had on our country and our sense of normalcy.

I grew up in a tight-knit farming town in South Texas. My daddy taught me to shoot when I was a little girl. We were poor, so we hunted to feed our communities and make a living.

Today, guns have taken a different meaning for far too many.

Today, Texas has more gun owners than any other state in the country. And that likely makes us one of the least safe states.

Gun violence is an epidemic in this country.

Our children constantly live in fear. They are now more likely to die from guns than anything else.

We have seen too many schools shot up, and still nothing has been done.

Despite what Republicans want you to believe, guns are not the solution. Arming teachers is not the solution.

Sevety-seven percent of my constituents support an assault weapons ban, 92 percent support red-flag laws, 94 percent believe domestic abusers should be disarmed, and 95 percent support universal background checks.

We must put people over politics and work together to protect our citizens, but this can't happen with Republicans' unwillingness to take more far-reaching action.

We need them to work with us to expand on the bipartisan work of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Mr. Speaker, Republicans continue to block common sense solutions.

They refuse to work with us to pass universal background checks.

They refuse to ban bump stocks.

They refuse to finally ban assault weapons or protect against dangerous ghost guns that only make our communities less safe.

And it's not just Republicans in the House.

The extreme MAGA Supreme Court's decision to overturn the Trump-era ban of bump stocks, reopening the door for deadlier and deadlier mass shootings.

We are swimming in guns.

It's only a matter of time.

That is why I am doing my part in Congress.

I have cosponsored legislation on universal background checks and an assault weapons ban.

I am also the proud cosponsor of the Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act, which would put a law on the books to treat bump stocks as machine guns following the Supreme Court's disastrous ruling.

We need to keep our residents safe, and we must act now. We will continue to fight for safety until we get it done.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight the amazing contributions of immigrants across this country during Immigrant Heritage Month.

Immigrants are the powerhouse of America.

By now, we've all seen the report from the Congressional Budget Office that says our current immigration surge will add over $7 trillion to our economy over the next 10 years.

But it is not just their economic impact.

Immigrants contribute every day to communities across the country.

They make our days vibrant and exciting.

Immigrants are Dreamers and doers. They are doctors, entrepreneurs, and public servants. They are scientists, artists, and astronauts.

America is great in large part because of immigrants.

When given a fair shot, when given a fair chance, Dreamers and immigrants move this country forward.

And let me just say this, to those who seek to demonize and scapegoat immigrants as they seek to score political points, Immigrants are here to stay. No wire or wall can change that.

What immigrants need now is protection.

It is time for Congress to get to work on a bipartisan basis and pass solutions like my bill, the American Dream and Promise Act.

We have over 200 bipartisan cosponsors in the House, and millions of supporters in every district across this county.

They are counting on us to put people over politics, immigrants over ignorance, and get it done.

It's the right thing to do, and it is long overdue.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Immigrant Heritage Month in recognition of the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program, known as DACA.

Since 2012, DACA recipients, or Dreamers, have experienced uncertainty about their status and future in this country. Yet, their impact is certain. They are our nurses, writers, lawyers, teachers, activists, and changemakers. They have grown up here, eagerly contributing to the diversity of our country.

If Congress does nothing, we lose our neighbors, our family members, and friends. We lose fellow Americans.

With the American Dream and Promise Act, House Democrats have a plan, with bipartisan support, to finally create a pathway for citizenship for Dreamers. In America, we welcome those fleeing harm and danger. We welcome those who believe in the American Dream. We put people over politics. Americans support Dreamers, and Dreamers support America.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month, a time we recognize and appreciate the immigrant experience and contributions they have made to our country, and to also recognize individuals with temporary protected status, or

Mr. Speaker, I know what it is like to grow up hungry.

I know the feeling, as a young girl, opening the refrigerator, only to see the water jug.

I know what it's like growing up on government-provided commodity food--cheese, peanut butter, oatmeal.

This Farm Bill proposal cuts more than $30 Billion from SNAP for what?

I want my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to explain why.

I want them to explain to the single mom at the grocery store whose hours are being cut because the store isn't making enough revenue or to the farmer trying to keep the farm afloat for the next generation, who relies on the grocery store to make payments.

Most importantly, I want them to be able to explain this to the children in my district.

Texas ranks second worst in the nation for hunger, and if these cuts do become a reality, Texas will receive $2.3 billion less in SNAP benefits.

Let me repeat that: $2.3 billion.

In my district, SNAP serves over 57,000 households.

These cuts would have a devastating impact on children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

It's a shame that House Republicans are weakening our ability to feed the most vulnerable members of our communities.

Instead of attacking SNAP, we must improve and protect it.

I know that the dysfunction of this Congress can mess with our sense of reality. So let me remind you:

The Farm Bill has long been a way to connect Republicans and Democrats, rural and urban, to serve all Americans. It reminds us that small places can do big things.

So, it is very sad that Republicans are holding out on farmers, families, and our neighbors. I mean, why are we balancing budgets on the bellies of hungry children?

We must put people over politics. We must put kids over cruelty. We must feed our kids and our communities.

I oppose any cuts to SNAP. I oppose these harmful choices made by my colleagues on the other side of the aisle.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Reverend William ``Bill'' Lawson.

Reverend Lawson was a giant in Houston. He was a warrior against the evils of discrimination, of poverty, and of homelessness, lifting basic human dignity to its highest heights.

During the peak season of the civil rights era, he was a key leader in Houston where his best work was often behind the scenes.

A patriot for peace, Reverend Lawson organized quiet desegregation of Houston through secret meetings with the business community, a plan that kept away violence and bombings that were rampant across the South.

Reverend Lawson was always on the right side of good trouble. The positivity he brought to our community will be felt for years to come. Houston will miss Reverend Lawson and his quiet demeanor and his endearing smile.

I send my love and condolences to the entire Lawson family as we remember him and all that he accomplished. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to vote during the first vote series. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted:

YEA on roll call No. 179, H.R. 3354, to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 220 North Hatcher Avenue in Purcellville, Virginia, as the ``Secretary of State Madeleine Albright Post Office Building;''

NO on roll call No. 180, the Motion on Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 1194; and

NO on roll call No. 1861, H. Res. 1194, the Rule providing for consideration of H.R. 6192, H.J. Res. 109, H.R. 2925, and H.R. 7109.

Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to vote on the two bills considered under suspension of the rules today. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted YEA on roll call No. 177, H.R. 7219--Information Quality Assurance Act and YEA on roll call No. 178, H.R. 7525--Special District Grant Accessibility Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate one of my constituents, Miraj Patel, on becoming the first Houstonian and the youngest person ever to lead the Asian American Hotel Owners Association in its 35-year history.

In Miraj, they have elected a young man born and raised in my district to be the leader of the largest hotel owners association in the United States, with over 20,000 members.

Miraj's passion for the hotel industry started in his family's 30- room motel on Wayside Drive, in the heart of my district. Now, it has grown into an American success story and proves that your dreams can come true.

I am truly excited about Miraj's vision and what it will bring to the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. I know, from his heart, he will always put people first.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate and wish Miraj nothing but success in his new endeavor.

Mr. Speaker, today, we honor the lives of the six construction workers who passed away as a result of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.

Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, Miguel Luna, Jose Mynor Lopez, and Carlos Hernandez.

These men who lost their lives while working on the Bridge were everyday heroes.

These men could've been our fathers, brothers, grandsons, or nephews.

That evening, they arrived at work proudly as immigrants, ready to help build this country with their own two hands by undertaking hazardous and challenging tasks that others refused.

Their dedication reminds us that immigrants should be celebrated and acknowledged for contributing to this country--not vilified and attacked for where they come from, the color of their skin, or their accent.

They deserve to be praised and remembered. We should be inspired by their tenacity and dedication to pursuing the American Dream for themselves and their loved ones.

We will continue to work on behalf of our immigrant community in honor of these brave souls. We will rebuild the Bridge and help build an immigration infrastructure that celebrates our workers.

Mr. Speaker, this Saturday the Affordable Care Act is turning 14 years old.

Despite relentless challenges and efforts by MAGA Republicans to repeal it over 50 times in the last 14 years, the Affordable Care Act remains in effect and continues to provide millions of individuals and families with access to affordable healthcare.

A record of more than 21 million Americans are enrolled in quality healthcare under the Affordable Care Act in 2023, including more than 3.5 million Texans.

Today, more Americans have health insurance than under any other President in history, for which I thank President Obama.

Democrats have made sure that more Americans than ever before are getting covered under the Affordable Care Act. We will continue to put people over politics, to lower healthcare costs, and to ensure that every American can get the care that they need.

Happy birthday to ACA ObamaCare.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate one of my constituents, Chef Victoria Elizondo.

Victoria is a Dreamer. She came to the United States at the age of 12 with her parents. Last week, she sat in this Chamber, in the presence of the President, as my honored guest at the State of the Union.

Victoria was twice nominated for the James Beard Award for her restaurant Cochinita & Co. She is an artist in the kitchen whose heart knows no bounds, and that shows in her work.

She has published a successful cookbook, ``Taco Tastic!'' She buys locally, hires fellow Dreamers, and leads with kindness that is foreign in her field.

Mr. Speaker, Victoria is an example of what it means to dream and to dream big. She is an example of putting people over politics and dreams over draconian policies.

She is why I am leading the Dream and Promise Act, to give Dreamers like her a roadmap to citizenship once and for all. Americans support Dreamers, and Dreamers support America. Let's make it into law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Magnolia Park's own Gilda Ramirez.

Gilda was born on February 12, 1963, in the shadow of Port Houston, a place that would come to define her life, and where some of her fondest memories were born, like hunting for Easter eggs in Mason Park.

She knew at a young age that the door of opportunity to the halls of power had been cracked open for her generation, but it was up to her to open that door all the way and hold it open for the community.

Gilda, ever-curious, took what she learned at Stephen F. Austin High School and Houston International University and embarked on a history- making career as an executive at Houston's Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Port of Houston, a place she loved dearly. She was amazed at all the different things that came through the Port and all the jobs and families it helped.

She said she could never live far away from Magnolia Park. She kept coming back. She found joy in connecting people, fostering friendships, and serving the community that had given her so much.

Through it all, Gilda never forgot those who would follow. She stayed committed to mentoring future professionals and supporting and empowering small, minority and women-owned businesses, and keeping that door open.

Mr. Speaker, Gilda swung the door wide open, and she held it there through her final days. Because of her work, Latina women have a seat at the table, our future leaders have a seat at the table, our community has a seat at the table.

Gilda won countless honors, from ``Hispanic Executive of the Year'' by the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to ``The One Woman Soaring Heights Award'' by the Texas Business Alliance, but it is especially sweet to honor the life of my friend in the Congress of the United States.

Our prayers are with her husband, Richard Arevalo, her sister, Rebecca Pena, and her lovely and sharp girls, Coco and Lola.

May God bless Gilda. I thank her for everything she did for us while she was with us here. May she please keep watch over us as we continue the fight for greater inclusion and shared properity for all.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Gilda Ramirez.