Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump lost the 2020 Presidential Election by over 7 million votes. Trump lost Arizona by over 10,000 votes. Trump lost Georgia by over 11,000 votes. Trump lost Wisconsin by over 20,000 votes. Trump lost Nevada by over 30,000 votes. Trump lost Pennsylvania by over 80,000 votes. Trump lost Michigan by over 150,000 votes.

Trump lost the Electoral College 232-306. Donald Trump lost the 2020 Presidential Election.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Larson for yielding.

Democrats are focused on putting people over politics by lowering costs, increasing American jobs, and having safe communities.

What are Republicans focused on? Ending Social Security. How do we know that? They put it in writing. They want to end Social Security in 5 years.

We need to not only end the Republicans' ability to end Social Security; we need to expand Social Security. That is why I am so proud to be here to support John Larson's Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust.

In my district alone, there are nearly 120,000 Social Security recipients who receive an average, in total, of $209 million of monthly benefits. This is a vital, critical program, lifesaving for millions of Americans.

Why is it called a sacred trust? It is called a sacred trust because our government promised, over 85 years ago, that if you contribute to Social Security with each and every paycheck, you can retire with dignity. President Biden has called that a sacred trust. Chairman Larson's sacred trust bill is how we need to make Social Security stronger and even better.

I think it is important to talk about how awesome this bill is. Let me talk to you about some of the provisions.

It has a benefit bump for current and new Social Security beneficiaries of 2 percent. In addition, it has protection against inflation, and it does that by improving the outdated COLA formula that currently is in Social Security.

The bill also improves Social Security benefits for widows and widowers. This bill repeals the windfall elimination provision. It ends the 5-month waiting period to receive disability benefits.

The bill also provides caregiver credits toward Social Security. It extends Social Security dependent benefits. It increases access to Social Security dependent benefits for children who live with grandparents or other relatives.

The bill also requires the Social Security agency to mail annual statements to all workers, and it improves access to legal representation for people seeking long-term disability benefits.

This is an awesome bill. This is exactly the kind of legislation that we need to move off the floor, and it is in stark contrast to what Republicans are doing.

Again, Republicans want to end Social Security in 5 years. How do we know that? They put it in writing. Not just one Republican, but multiple Republicans.

It is a severe danger to our Nation if we wipe out this lifesaving program. It is important that we not only make sure that that doesn't happen but that we expand Social Security, especially coming out of a pandemic where people are facing all of these challenges and obstacles. Folks on fixed incomes cannot often get additional income, and that is why the only way to do this is to increase Social Security. We do that by passing John Larson's Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust.

Mr. Speaker, Democrats and Republicans are not the same. While Democrats are working to pass this gun safety legislation for the people, Republicans have whipped their Members to oppose it.

Democrats and Republicans are not the same. With the Supreme Court handing down radical decisions, you have extreme MAGA Republicans working to eliminate gun safety laws, while Democrats are working to expand gun safety laws.

You have extreme MAGA Republicans calling for a nationwide criminal abortion ban while Democrats are working to preserve Roe v. Wade.

Democrats and Republicans are not the same. I urge all Americans to remember that this November.

Madam Speaker, Donald Trump lost the 2020 Presidential election's popular vote by more than 7 million votes.

Trump lost the State of Oregon. Trump lost Washington. Trump lost California. Trump lost Nevada. Trump lost Arizona. Trump lost New Mexico. Trump lost Colorado. Trump lost Hawaii. Trump lost Minnesota. Trump

lost Michigan. Trump lost Illinois. Trump lost Wisconsin. Trump lost Georgia. Trump lost Nebraska District 2. Trump lost Virginia. Trump lost Pennsylvania. Trump lost New York. Trump lost Maine District 1. Trump lost Washington, D.C. Trump lost Maryland. Trump lost Delaware. Trump lost New Jersey. Trump lost Connecticut. Trump lost Rhode Island. Trump lost Massachusetts. Trump lost Vermont. Trump lost New Hampshire.

Trump lost the electoral college 306-232. Trump lost the 2020 Presidential election.

Keep Government Out of Your Doctor's Office

Madam Speaker, abortion is a highly and deeply personal decision.

It is very complicated. You have dramatic effects for the family, for the woman. It can have health effects.

Some pregnancies are fine in the first month, and then they are not fine in the fourth month for medical reasons.

Some pregnancies are the result of rape or incest.

Some religions support abortion. Some religions oppose abortion.

This is a very complicated issue, very personal, and it is exactly the wrong issue for government.

Republicans want to criminalize abortion. Keep government out of your doctor's office.

Democrats support Roe v. Wade. I urge the American people that if they want to have Roe v. Wade upheld, they cast their vote at the ballot box this November.

Democrats' Accomplishments

Madam Speaker, under the American Rescue Plan, we created jobs, we got vaccines into people's arms, we reopened schools, and we helped get the economy back on track.

In the first 15 months of the Biden Presidency, over 8.5 million jobs were created, the most in American history.

Democrats are for the people, and we put people over politics.

We also passed an infrastructure law that is going to rebuild roads, bridges, and highways, get lead out of water, and put broadband everywhere, from rural areas to inner cities to everywhere in between.

What are Republicans doing? I don't know, but I know a number of Republican Members of Congress sought a pardon from the White House for inciting an insurrection.

National Foster Youth Shadow Day

Madam Speaker, today is one of my favorite days in Congress because it is National Foster Youth Shadow Day.

I have a foster youth shadowing me. His name is Joseph Mariscal. He just graduated from community college, and now he is going to go to Cal State LA. He is watching how Congress works.

He has overcome so many obstacles, and because of the amazing things he has done to overcome his obstacles, I am confident he can do anything he wants in his future.

I thank Karen Bass and other members of the National Foster Youth Institute for all they do for our foster youth and for having this shadow day today.

Madam Speaker, Donald Trump lost the 2020 Presidential popular vote by over 7 million votes. Trump lost the electoral college 306-232. Trump lost the State of Arizona. Trump lost Nevada. Trump lost Georgia. Trump lost Minnesota. Trump lost Wisconsin. Trump lost Michigan. Trump lost Pennsylvania. Donald Trump lost the 2020 Presidential election.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 4160) to amend title 40, United States Code, to grant the Supreme Court of the United States security-related authorities equivalent to the legislative and executive branches.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 4160.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4160, the Supreme Court Police Parity Act of 2022.

While the Supreme Court police force is currently authorized to provide protection to the Justices of the Supreme Court, this bill would unequivocally extend their authority to provide protection to family members of Justices if there is reason to believe they are at risk.

It is imperative that the Justices are free from fear of violence or physical intimidation to make decisions based on the Constitution and law as applied to the facts of the cases before them. This is essential to the rule of law. Assailants like the man arrested recently for allegedly plotting against the life of one of our Justices are a threat to our democracy, but with the right security, they can also be stopped before they inflict harm.

I thank Senators Coons and Cornyn for their work on this issue in the Senate, and Representatives Stanton, Correa, and Issa for their work in the House, likewise introducing bills that would extend protection to the families of Justices. I also thank Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee as well.

I further note that Mr. Stanton's bill would have also extended protection to the families of Court employees. We understand that there was Republican opposition to that aspect of the bill, and in the interest of protecting the Justices' families, we could no longer delay in passing the only version of the bill they would apparently agree to. But I hope we will swiftly move another bill to extend protection to families of employees as well.

I hope my colleagues will join me in passing this straightforward measure to ensure that the families of Supreme Court Justices have the necessary protection from any threats they may face.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, let me tell you why it took us a few weeks rather than just 1 week to pass this legislation. It is because Republicans refused to protect the families of Supreme Court employees who are at risk. Shame on you for not doing that.

And, by the way, there are threats to Justices across the board. I support this legislation. I just note that recently there was an article on CNN titled ``Justice Sonia Sotomayor was targeted by gunman, Federal judge tells `60 Minutes,' '' dated February 19, 2021. Intimidation goes on both sides.

Madam Speaker, I support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

The Republicans are misleading you. Supreme Court Justices already have protection. Let me say that again. Supreme Court Justices already have protection.

This is about families of Supreme Court Justices, which I support them having protection, and Democrats are fighting for families of law clerks and employees of the Supreme Court. They should have protection, too.

Let me tell you the threats to employees of the Supreme Court. Soon after the draft decision leaked, a rightwing activist posted the personal details of a law clerk who he baselessly claimed had leaked Justice Alito's draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. This rightwing activist even posted the clerk's wedding announcement and singled out the clerk's spouse. Republicans don't want to protect that person or their family.

After another Republican strategist claimed a different law clerk had leaked the opinion, an extremist anti-abortion rights group issued a press release targeting that clerk and the Justice the clerk worked for. The author of the press release had served years in prison for conspiring to blow up an abortion clinic. Referring to the people in the Justice's office, the group's leader said that he could smell their fear.

Republicans don't want to protect the families of Supreme Court employees. Shame on them.

Recently, a news outlet obtained a DHS intelligence report identifying threats to murder Justices and their clerks. Why don't Republicans want to protect the families of Supreme Court employees?

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I am going to respond to that because what he just said is a lie. The fact that he is saying Democrats think there is nothing wrong, there is no danger to Supreme Court Justices, is a lie. Why? Because we are the majority party, and we just put this bill up, and we are about to vote on it. We clearly care about Supreme Court Justices.

But we also care about the families and employees of the Supreme Court, and that is what we are talking about today. Again, I just want to remind you, Republicans are misleading you. Supreme Court Justices right now have law enforcement protection details. They are protected by law enforcement. This bill has to do with the families of Supreme Court Justices. I support protecting them. I also support protecting the employees and their families of the Supreme Court.

That is the dispute. The Democrats want to also protect the employees and families who are getting threats from rightwing activists, intimidation from the far right.

Do you want to talk about intimidation? I will tell you what intimidation is. It is Trump supporters assaulting the Capitol on January 6, brutalizing 140 police officers. That is intimidation.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I condemn violence whether it is from rightwing groups or leftwing groups or white supremacist groups or any other group. Democrats say this all the time.

I will tell you why Republicans don't hear it. Because they are in their bubble watching just Fox News, who won't even show the January 6 hearings. That is why they don't hear any of this stuff because it is never played to them or their base. Democrats condemn violence all the time.

By the way, last year--I am just going to tell you the headline of this article again: ``Justice Sonia Sotomayor was targeted by gunmen . . .'' Did Republicans jump up in outrage? No, no, they didn't.

So let's just be clear here what we are talking about today, once again: Supreme Court Justices get law enforcement protection right now, as we speak.

This is actually a dispute about employees. So I am going to ask Republicans a question, and I bet you they will not answer it: Why do they not want to protect the employees and their families of the Supreme Court?

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Escobar).

Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Texas.

Madam Speaker, S. 4160 is a straightforward bill that will protect the families of the Justices. Democrats also fought to try to protect the families of Supreme Court employees. Republicans objected and won't do that, so this is the best we can get.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Madam Speaker, in March of this year, The Washington Post published an article titled: ``GOP lawmakers push historic wave of bills targeting rights of LGBTQ teens, children, and their families.''

In April, The Washington Post published another article titled: ``Some Republicans fear party overreach on LGBT measures.''

I just thought I would now recite for you what Jesus Christ said about homosexuality: ``. . . . ''

Madam Speaker, when I served in the U.S. military, I was trained on firearms.

Let me tell you what a bullet from an AR-15 does to you. The bullet leaves the muzzle of the AR-15 at a speed three times higher than that of a handgun. The energy is so strong that the bullet will disintegrate 3 inches of your bone.

A person shot with an AR-15 looks like a grenade exploded in their body. The bullet also causes your human flesh to ripple violently, so that even if the bullet misses your artery, the human flesh, the ripples can burst arteries anyway.

In Uvalde, Texas, little kids were decapitated and had their faces blown off.

A person under 21 cannot buy a Budweiser. We should not let a person under 21 buy an AR-15 weapon of war.

Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize May 14th as IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day. IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare autoimmune disease that causes a person's immune system to attack the kidneys. Fewer than 200,000 people are diagnosed with this incurable condition per year in the United States, yet it is one of the most common diseases affecting the kidneys other than those caused by high blood pressure or diabetes.

IgA Nephropathy is a condition in which an abnormal build-up of a protein called immunoglobulin A (IgA) causes the immune system to attack the kidneys, often leading to kidney damage and failure. The cause of abnormal IgA build-up in patients with this condition is unclear, though it is likely due in part to genetic factors. While IgA Nephropathy impacts women and men of every ethnicity, it is most prevalent in those from Asian backgrounds. In fact, kidney failure among Asian Americans is 5 times more likely to be the result of IgA Nephropathy than among Caucasians, and 15 times more likely compared to African Americans.

Although IgA Nephropathy can develop at any age, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) notes that it most often affects younger Americans, usually appearing between the teen years and the late 30s. Furthermore, according to the IgAN Foundation, as many as half of those affected by IgAN will develop end-stage kidney disease and eventually require dialysis or a kidney transplant.

As is often the case with rare diseases, the diagnostic journey to IgA Nephropathy tends to be long. There are usually little or no immediate signs and symptoms. The disease causes inflammation that can trigger complications, including high blood pressure and chronic kidney disease. In fact, many patients are not diagnosed until they show some of these complications and blood or protein in the urine.

IgA Nephropathy was first identified in 1968, and it is viewed as a condition without a cure. While some patients have been able to delay kidney decline and failure through lifestyle changes, supplements, and medication, many others have seen no effective treatments whatsoever.

We believe this is about to change. The FDA approved the first-ever medication for IgA Nephropathy in late 2021. Another drug is currently under FDA review with more therapies in phase 2 and 3 trials. Additionally, a growing number of clinical trials are underway.

These advancements in IgA Nephropathy treatment provide hope for so many patients struggling with this chronic disease. It's important we help raise awareness of this condition to counter the fear and uncertainty that can come with an IgA Nephropathy diagnosis. More needs to be done to develop the means for patients to manage their conditions and live normal lives even while dealing with this cruel disease.

I also want to salute by name the IgA Nephropathy Foundation. On May 14, 2004, Bonnie Schneider and her husband established the IgA Nephropathy Foundation from their home. Eddie, their 13-year-old son, had been recently diagnosed with the condition, and they saw firsthand the unmet need for answers, resources, and a supportive community for individuals with IgAN and their families.

In addition, I am proud to say that California's 33rd Congressional District is fully engaged in this effort, as IgA Nephropathy Foundation Board Secretary Mary Schneider is from Venice in my district.

So on May 14th, the 18th anniversary of its founding, the IgA Nephropathy Foundation and the entire IgAN community and partners will come together to raise awareness about this disease, while celebrating the strength of those warriors who battle it every day. Their hope is that this important day will drive people to check their risk and recognize symptoms, improve awareness among primary care physicians, build a stronger network of support for patients, and encourage further research to find effective therapies and, one day, a cure.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the IgA Nephropathy Foundation for creating this important day of awareness. I am proud to stand with the brave Americans and their families who must battle this disease and who continue in their efforts to educate the public on IgA Nephropathy. On May 14th, we honor them and all their efforts as we recognize IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day.

Mr. Speaker, under the American Rescue Plan passed by Democrats and signed by President Biden, more than 7.4 million jobs were created in the first 14 months of the Biden administration, the most in U.S. history.

During that time, unemployment dropped to its lowest in over 50 years. Democrats are building a better America for the people.

What are Republicans doing? I don't know. But I do know that Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene recently stated that the Catholic Church is controlled by Satan. She has not yet apologized for her bigoted remark.

Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn tried to board a plane with a gun for a second time. What has Republican leadership done? Nothing.

Madam Speaker, today, we found out that weekly jobless claims are the lowest since 1968 and, in fact, if you look at this month, their unemployment claims are the lowest in recorded history.

President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats have done an amazing job on job creation. For the last 14 months, 7.4 million jobs were created, the most in U.S. history; jobs are up, wages are up, growth is up, and unemployment is down.

What are Republicans doing? I don't know. But last month, two Republicans spoke at a white nationalist conference. And today, we learned that Republican Congressman Paul Gosar is going to attend a white nationalist bash to celebrate Hitler's birthday, and he is listed as a guest speaker on April 20 at this bash.

Mr. Speaker, President Joe Biden has done an awesome job creating jobs. He is a jobs President.

Last year, 6.6 million jobs were created. In the last 14 months working with congressional Democrats 7.4 million jobs were created, the most in United States history.

Democrats are building a better America for the future and for the people.

What are Republicans doing? I don't know.

Last week, Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn bragged about being invited to cocaine-fueled sex orgies by senior Republicans. Don't believe me? Search for ``Madison Cawthorn Republican Caucus'' on the internet.

Madam Speaker, Democrats are building a better America for the people. Last year, we passed the American Rescue Plan that has helped to create 7.4 million jobs in 13 months, the most in U.S. history. Under the Biden administration, wages are up, jobs are up, and unemployment is down.

What are Republicans doing? I don't know, but I do know that two of them attended a white nationalist conference last month.

Let me now tell you all the actions that House Republican leadership took against these two Republican Members who attended and spoke at a white nationalist conference last month.

Mr. Speaker, Democrats are building a better America for the people.

This week is the anniversary of the American Rescue Plan that Democrats passed in the House and the Senate, and that President Biden signed into law. That law was transformative. It helped schools reopen and remain open. It also increased vaccine distribution across America. It got people into jobs, and it funded police departments.

We then followed the American Rescue Plan with an infrastructure law that is going to rebuild roads, bridges, and highways; it is going to take lead out of our water pipes; it is going to have EV charging stations across America; and it is going to make sure that we have broadband everywhere.

What are Republicans doing? I am not really sure. But I know that two of them recently attended a white nationalist conference, and last week 174 of them voted ``no'' to providing benefits to veterans who inhaled toxic fumes.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the anniversary of the Sumgait pogroms of 1988 and the Baku pogroms of 1990, and to remember the innocent Armenians who tragically lost their lives during these horrific events,

From February 27-29, 1988, hundreds of Armenians living in Sumgait, Azerbaijan were targeted in violent, ethnically motivated attacks. Armenians were beaten, murdered, raped, burned alive, and driven out of their homes. Mass violence against Armenians continued in other Azerbaijani cities in the following years, including in Baku in 1990, and thousands of Armenians were displaced. At the time, Members of the U.S. Congress, both Democrat and Republican, urged Azerbaijan to stop these atrocious events and take steps to protect these Armenian communities.

Many believe that these pogroms occurred in response to peaceful protests led by ethnic Armenians in Artsakh, or Nagorno-Karabakh, who were demanding independence from Azerbaijan and calling for democracy. Throughout the dispute over Artsakh, anti-Armenian hatred and propaganda spread rapidly throughout Azerbaijan. It was this hatred and propaganda that fueled the Sumgait and Baku pogroms.

We must be vocal in rejecting hatred, violence, and discrimination-- and work tirelessly to ensure that history does not repeat itself. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the memory of those lost in the Sumgait and Baku pogroms. And I will continue to work with the Congressional Armenian Issues Caucus to reaffirm our commitment to combatting human rights abuses around the world.