Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2379 to extend and broaden our efforts to help Americans with substance use disorder get the help they need to help prevent addiction and to save lives.

I thank my friends, Mr. Trone and Ms. Sherrill, for their leadership.

Earlier this year, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced

that opioid response grantees will now be able to use these funds to expand access to fentanyl test strips.

Tragically, that announcement came just 1 month after the death of my dear nephew, Eli Weinstock.

At just 20 years old, Eli died of an unintentional fentanyl overdose after ingesting a legal herbal supplement tainted with fentanyl.

Out of our grief, Eli's family created an organization, BirdieLight, to increase awareness of fentanyl risks and the tools like fentanyl test strips needed to save lives.

From 2019 to 2020, overdose deaths spiked by over 22,000 to a record 93,331 Americans who died of overdose in 2020.

Young people aged 15 to 24 saw a nearly 50 percent increase in 1 year.

Last month, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued its first public safety alert in 6 years to warn of the surge of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.

The DEA has seized over 11.3 million fake pills over the past year, more than the previous 2 years combined.

Fentanyl has been found in fake imitations of real prescription medications, including oxycodone, Xanax, and stimulants like Adderall.

These substances are easily acquired on social media platforms or from friends who have no idea where they came from or what is in them.

We need to talk about this. We need to change this. We need to act.

We need to do it for Eli and for the hundreds of Americans who die of overdose every day in this country.

This legislation is an important first step. I urge my colleagues to vote for it.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand here today in support of this legislation, H.R. 1228, the Libya Stabilization Act.

This bipartisan bill, which I introduced with my friend, ranking member of the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee, Joe Wilson, clarifies and strengthens American policy in support of a peaceful diplomatic resolution to the Libyan conflict.

The United States cannot afford to ignore this conflict. For years, fighting in Libya has undermined the stability of North Africa, exacerbated a humanitarian crisis, put the human rights of civilians-- Libyans as well as migrants in Libya--in jeopardy, and it has impeded a return to U.N.-sponsored peace talks. Foreign interference has only escalated the conflict.

The Libya Stabilization Act will deter foreign interference in Libya by placing sanctions on those who deploy mercenaries, support militias, violate the U.N. arms embargo, and commit human rights violations in Libya.

It authorizes U.S. support for efforts to strengthen good governance, promote anticorruption efforts, support free and fair elections, and foster economic recovery.

The Libyan people deserve a future free from foreign meddling, from conflict and corruption, and from economic turmoil. They deserve to choose their leaders in free and fair elections.

That is why the United States must establish a clear and principled policy towards Libya. That is why I was proud to introduce this legislation in the 116th Congress and again in this Congress, to clarify U.S. policy towards Libya and empower the United States with sanctions authority to revitalize diplomacy, secure our national interests, stabilize Libya, and provide peace and opportunity for the Libyan people.

I have been heartened to see the Biden administration take a more active role in U.S. diplomacy over Libya, which is a primary goal of this legislation.

Madam Speaker, the Libya Stabilization Act is a critical demonstration of Congress' interest in ending foreign intervention and consolidating Libya's political gains, both before and after the December elections. It is a demonstration that the United States is ready to play an active, engaged role in achieving long-term peace and stability in Libya.

That is why this bill is so important, and that is why I am proud to stand here in support of H.R. 1228. I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting for this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Chair DeLauro, and I thank the Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I have a speech about how important it is for us to stand up against terror and the terror strikes against Israel launched by the terrorist group Hamas from Gaza--4,500 rockets that Iron Dome helped to stop. And I have a speech that is all about how important it is for us to replenish that.

But, Mr. Speaker, I cannot--I cannot--allow one of my colleagues to stand on the floor of the House of Representatives and label the Jewish democratic State of Israel an apartheid state. I reject it.

Today, this Caucus, this body, the House of Representatives will overwhelmingly stand with our ally, the State of Israel, in replenishing this defensive system.

If you believe in human rights, if you believe in saving lives, Israeli lives and Palestinian lives, I say to my colleague who just besmirched our ally, then you will support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, we can have an opportunity to debate lots of issues on the House floor, but to falsely characterize the State of Israel is consistent with those--let's be clear--it is consistent with those who advocate for the dismantling of the one Jewish state in the world. When there is no place on the map for one Jewish state, that is anti-Semitism, and I reject that.

I stand in support of this important legislation. I thank the Speaker, the majority leader, and the chairwoman for bringing this forward, and I urge every one of my colleagues to stand in support of this.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of Chairman Meeks' amendment, which would clarify and advance the administration's January decision to suspend offensive support for the Saudi-led coalition's operations in Yemen.

The crisis in Yemen continues to devastate innocent civilians who suffer at the hands of Houthi assaults, coalition airstrikes, and a de facto blockade that hinders the transit of necessary goods, like food, fuel, and medicine.

The war in Yemen will not be solved by military operations. The parties must commit to political negotiations to end this conflict. But as military operations continue, it is critical that the United States does not play a role in supporting further civilian bloodshed.

This amendment requires the Department of State and Department of Defense to ascertain whether any coalition strikes resulted in civilian casualties and, in turn, suspend U.S. support and maintenance to those units.

The House voted overwhelmingly to end U.S. support for the Saudi coalition's offensive, and it is imperative that we follow through on that promise while ensuring that we protect the vital interests of the United States.

We cannot allow human suffering in Yemen to continue unabated. Children are starving. COVID is raging. Enough is enough.

Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Meeks for his leadership, and I urge support for this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, I make a point of order.

Mr. Speaker, on all of these good bills that are being debated with strong bipartisan support on the Democratic side and the Republican side when they go to a voice vote, Mr. Speaker, does there need to be even one ``no'' vote, which there have not been for this whole series, for a Member to ask for a recorded vote?

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 983, the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act.

Financial fraud is an increasingly sophisticated enterprise. The unfortunate reality is that our Nation's veterans have become one of its biggest new targets.

Far too often, so-called pension poachers prey on elderly veterans. They use high-pressure sales pitches to con vulnerable veterans, survivors, and their families out of their hard-earned and well- deserved benefits.

Scammers make big promises, knowing that they will never be able to deliver. In the end, they leave veterans with their personal information and financial security compromised.

These criminals not only prey on our veterans, they prey on every American taxpayer who wants to do right by those who have served our country. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has only made the situation worse, as scams have been on the rise.

The VA, community groups, and veterans service organizations are working to alert and educate our communities about these scams. But Congress must ensure that we do not let pension poachers get away with taking advantage of those who have served.

Unfortunately, our current laws fail to keep up with the increasing complexity of these fraudulent schemes.

This bill will give Federal prosecutors the tools they need to target criminals who actively work to avoid current mail and wire fraud statutes. It will specifically outlaw attempts to defraud veterans of their benefits.

It is past time that we take action to crack down on pension poachers and other fraudsters who prey on our veterans.

I want to thank the Palm Beach County Veterans Services office including, Greg Dover, Jose Capellan, Rohn Hultgren, Andrew Reese, and Yolanda Asante. They are working hard to help veterans receive their benefits, and they first raised the troubling rise of pension poaching with me years ago.

I thank Congressman Fitzpatrick for his leadership on this important bipartisan effort. Again, I want to thank Mr. Nadler and the gentleman from North Carolina, and I am thankful to every Member of this body who voted to pass this legislation last Congress 417-0.

I would, again, ask my colleagues to support and honor our veterans by passing the Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act. Our veterans have done so much to protect this Nation. It is now our turn, and this bill is an opportunity for us to help protect them.

Mr. Speaker, moral clarity--that is what this moment calls for. Terrorists launch rockets at civilians and launch rockets from schools and hospitals, putting kids at risk. They use humans as shields.

Hamas is a terrorist organization sworn to wiping out the only Jewish state on Earth, and the House of Representatives previously declared it shall be the policy of the United States to officially and publicly condemn Hamas for violating the international law of armed conflict by exploiting civilians.

Democracies, on the other hand, act to limit civilian casualties and do everything they can to defend their own citizens. Israel is a democracy. It is the only Jewish state in the world, and our friend and ally in Israel has a right to defend her citizens.

At this moment as more than 1,750 rockets rain down on Israel, we must stand with our ally and stand against Hamas terrorism.

Please don't be fooled by false choices: Israel or Hamas.

But if I am asked to choose between a terrorist organization and our democratic ally, I will stand with Israel

every day of the week, and so will you, and so will you, and so will you.

Mr. Speaker, America stands with Israel.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my good friend, Shawn Friedkin, who left this Earth on March 3 after a courageous battle with cancer.

When Shawn was 27, he was tragically injured in a car accident. The accident took away Shawn's ability to walk, but it also inspired him to dedicate his life to helping other exceptional people. He founded the nonprofit association, Stand Among Friends, whose mission followed Shawn's, to help people with disabilities to live a life without limits.

Stand Among Friends partnered with Florida Atlantic University to open the Disability Center, which provides resources and career guidance to help individuals with disabilities find meaningful employment. Shawn was a founding member of the Boca Raton Advisory Board for People with Disabilities. He advocated for the disabled community and was appointed to the White House Healthcare Task Force.

Shawn's mission was to help people with disabilities embrace their differences, realize their abilities, and leave a positive impact on their community. And his positive impact leaves a lasting legacy through the lives of all the people he helped personally, and most of all through his loving family. All of us are privileged to call him a friend,

Above all, Shawn was devoted to his family and cherished spending time with his loving wife of 38 years, Lisa, and their incredible daughters, Bennett and Sydney. We will all miss Shawn's endless kindness, compassion, and generosity. Our lives are better for having Shawn as part of them.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Shawn Friedkin's life on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition and celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day.

On this day 73 years ago, the Israeli Declaration of Independence was signed, marking a long-awaited historic day, the formation of the world's only Jewish state in its modern form.

As a proud American Jew and a proud supporter of Israel, it is a privilege to recognize Israel and its contributions to the international community.

Israeli innovation in areas like water, technology, and agriculture have yielded dramatic advancements with global impact.

I am proud the bills passed in this Chamber, including legislation to affirm Congress' overwhelming support for Israel and strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship.

We are witnessing a new era as Arab States normalize their relations with Israel, which will create incredible opportunities for cooperation in the Middle East. I look forward to supporting those growing ties.

I am proud to stand here today in strong support of Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship on this 73rd Yom Ha'atzmaut.

Madam Speaker, on behalf of myself and Congresswoman Frankel, I rise today to honor Corinne Miller for her years of volunteerism and her dedication to her work on behalf of voters. Corinne Miller was born on April 1, 1931, and is a graduate of New York University. She lived most of her life in Bloomfield and West Orange, New Jersey, before moving to Palm Beach County, Florida, in 2000. Corinne was married to Murray Miller and has two children, Joyce Rudin and Lois Miller.

Corinne Miller has been a grassroots activist since she graduated college and has spent a great deal of her time volunteering for the PTA and the Democratic Party. She has spent a great deal of time dedicated to the League of Women Voters and continues to remain active with voter engagement. Corinne is well known throughout Florida for spearheading the League of Women Voter's nonpartisan Voter Guide, which is distributed throughout Palm Beach County.

Corinne's work on behalf of voters has received lots of recognition. In Essex County, New Jersey, she received the Democrat of the Year Award and she has received the Susan B. Anthony award as the Outstanding Feminist of the Year from Palm Beach County's National Organization of Women. Corinne Miller spends her time as a public speaker in south Florida and remains extremely involved with get-out- the-vote efforts for 35 precincts in Boca Raton and Highland Beach, Florida.

Madam Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join us in recognizing Corinne Miller and her service to the south Florida community.

Madam Speaker, as a member of the House of Representatives, I take any example of abuse to our citizens extremely seriously. It is incumbent on the entire United States Congress to do our part to tackle this problem. For two decades, Place of Hope and its founder and CEO, Charles Bender, have taken the baton and run its share of the race. Entering its 20th year, the organization continues to do phenomenal work in one part of our pursuit of a more perfect union.

Since its inception, the organization has provided support to over 17,000 survivors of human trafficking, homeless kids, and foster children. To this date, a remarkable 320 ``forever families'' have been created via adoption. Place of Hope has also helped to generate much- needed awareness for this issue. Over 40,000 community members have been educated about human trafficking under Place of Hope.

Over the years, the organization has expanded its outreach and become a more diverse enterprise. Beginning in 2008, a need for a more robust community foster care program was found. As a result, Homes of Hope was created to help recruit families in the local community to adopt foster children. The Peter and Fern Barsanti Family Life Center was opened in 2010 as another measure to provide therapy and other recreational necessities to the children within the organization's supervision.

Organizations like Place of Hope are invaluable to making the world a better place for the next generation, particularly those that have endured unimaginable hardship. Children who have been through trafficking, abuse, and neglect have a continuum of support available to them through this terrific project that will continue to do marvelous work for our youth. Designating the month of May as the 20th anniversary of Place of Hope is a necessary step for us to take to help ensure awareness is raised and progress is made.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Joanne Goodwin for her years of dedicated and unwavering service to our country and to the South Florida area. For decades, Joanne has made it her goal every day to make other people's lives around her better, and has enjoyed a record of success throughout her career everyone ought to strive for. Born in 1947, in New York, she made her way to the National Association of Securities Dealers in the mid-1960's where she became a registered trader.

Beginning in 1979, she became the director of the Smith New Court Securities firm in England. She used her expertise in her field to continue to break new barriers for women in her business and a host of others. In later years, Joanne made her way to the South Florida area, settling in Broward County in 1999. She became especially active in the political sphere and worked tirelessly to elect candidates she felt were in the best interest of the American people.

She first volunteered on John Kerry's 2004 presidential run, and became an active member of the North Broward Democratic Club. Beginning in 2010, Goodwin became the president of the club, and has helped the party in-and-around the Fort Lauderdale area continue to blossom and grow each and every year since. She also volunteered on former congressman Ron Klein's campaign for the House of Representatives, and congresswoman Lois Frankel's in the same district.

Goodwin has been recognized for her amazing work before. She has been named Broward County Volunteer of the Year three separate times, in 2013, 2015, and 2017. In 2018, she was given the Broward Young Democrats Lifetime Young Democrat Award. In addition, she remains an avid reader, traveler, and continues her commitment to electing progressive candidates, particularly women, up-and-down the ballot in the future.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Joanne Goodwin for her continued support for Florida's 22nd Congressional district and the broader South Florida community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Jewish Adoption and Family Care Center's declaration of intent agreement with the State of Israel. JAFCO continues to provide support to children affected by disabilities at risk of abuse or neglect in the United States.

JAFCO was established as a non-profit in 1992. The JAFCO Children's Village is among the rarest programs of its kind around the country. The partnership with the Israel Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, and Social Services, or MOLSA, will help both entities refer requests for foster care, consultation, support services and more.

JAFCO and MOLSA have seen their efforts overlap over the past 25 years, making this partnership all the more important towards providing help for children in need. Both have done phenomenal work servicing special needs kids. This partnership can help mend any unmet necessities for children in the Jewish community.

I ask that my colleagues join me in supporting this partnership and commending the invaluable work JAFCO and MOLSA have done over the years to bring help to children and families in need.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor Mikkie Belvedere for her years of public service in South Florida. Mikkie was born in Israel, lived in New York City, in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and has been a resident of South Florida since 1992.

Commissioner Belvedere is a financial professional who has spent years putting her expertise to good use to better her local community. She was first elected to the Coconut Creek City Commission in 2009, where she has served in the roles of Mayor and Vice Mayor of Coconut Creek. Prior to her service as a city commissioner, Commissioner Belvedere spent years working to better Coconut Creek, serving on the city's Planing and Zoning Board, the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, and as the chair of the Coconut Creek Environmental Advisory Board. Commissioner Belvedere served as an ambassador committee representative and charter member for the Coconut Creek Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to her years of public service, Commissioner Belvedere has had a positive impact on communities in Coconut Creek and throughout South Florida. The founder of the Coconut Creek Multicultural center, Mikkie Belvedere also is a member of the Wynmoor Hurricane Emergency Network and a member of the Coconut Creek Community Emergency Response Team. She is a Trustee of the Sisterhood of Liberal Jewish Temple and the president of the Hebrew club of Wynmoor. She is a former member of the Sawgrass Association of insurance and Financial Advisors and a former participant of the Broward Mentoring Program. For the past decade and a half, Commissioner Belvedere has volunteered with the Broward County Prime Time Program, where she reads to children.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mikkie Belvedere and her service to the South Florida community and Florida's 22nd Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 1(e) of House Resolution 73, 117th Congress, and clause 3(g)(4) of House Rule II, I hereby submit the following special policies and procedures adopted by the Committee on Ethics on March 9, 2021, for printing in the Congressional Record.

Special Policies and Procedures Relating to Fine Notifications and

Appeals

(Adopted by the Committee on Ethics--March 9, 2021)

1. Upon receipt of a fine notification under House Rule II

or H. Res. 73, the Committee will send a letter to the

Sergeant at Arms, U.S. Capitol Police, and/or Chief

Administrative Officer requesting that they preserve all

records of any reviews, determinations, or decisions

regarding the alleged violation(s) and any additional

information, including

video recordings of the alleged violation(s). Also, the

Committee will send a letter to the Member notifying them of

their right to appeal, the deadline by which to file an

appeal, the Committee's special policies and procedures, and

noting that an appeal to the Committee shall include a

response to the findings issued by the Sergeant at Arms, and

may include the basis for the appeal, a description of the

occurrence precipitating the fine, any exculpatory

information, any request to appear before the Committee, and

any additional information that the appellant believes will

assist the Committee in considering the appeal. In addition,

for receipt of any fine notification under H. Res. 73, the

Committee shall notify the Member of the Committee's

obligation to publish the fine notification.

2. For a fine notification received under H. Res. 73, the

Chair and Ranking Member will make the notification public

within two business days of receipt. The Committee will

provide the subject of the fine with notice of publication

one business day prior to release.

3. The Chair and Ranking Member may make redactions to the

public fine notification received under H. Res. 73 as they

deem necessary to protect certain personally identifiable

information or other sensitive details.

4. In appealing a fine to the Committee, the appellant may

be represented by counsel at their own expense.

5. Upon receipt of an appeal of a fine, the Committee will

send a letter confirming its receipt of the appeal and

notifying the appellant that it will consider the appeal

within 30 calendar days. Also, upon receipt of an appeal, the

Committee will send a letter to the Sergeant at Arms, U.S.

Capitol Police, and/or Chief Administrative Officer

requesting that they provide the Committee with a copy of all

records of any reviews, determinations, or decisions

regarding the alleged violation(s) and any additional

information, including video recordings of the alleged

violation(s).

6. If the written appeal does not provide sufficient

information to fully assess an appeal, the Chair and Ranking

Member may jointly authorize staff to request additional

information from the appellant.

7. If an appellant asserts there are factual errors with

the findings and any supporting documentation, the Chair and

Ranking Member will request a response from the Sergeant at

Arms and the U.S. Capitol Police. The Chair and Ranking

Member may also jointly seek additional information from

other sources.

8. The Chair or Ranking Member, consistent with Committee

Rule 5(b), may place consideration of an appeal on the agenda

at any time. If no meeting of the Committee is scheduled to

occur within 30 days of receipt of an appeal, the Chair will

make reasonable efforts to convene a meeting during that time

period.

9. Members of the Committee will be provided any

information needed for consideration of the appeal not later

than three days prior to any meeting in which the appeal will

be considered, whenever possible.

10. The Committee may agree to an appeal if it determines

the fine is (a) arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of

discretion, or otherwise not consistent with law or with

principles of fairness; (b) not made consistent with required

procedures; or (c) unsupported by substantial evidence.

11. The Chair and Ranking Member will notify the Speaker,

the Sergeant at Arms, Chief Administrative Officer, and the

public of the determination regarding a fine appeal (or that

no appeal has been filed) two business days after such

determination (or the expiration of the appeal period), and

will also publish the written appeal if the appellant so

chooses. The Committee will provide the subject of the fine

with notice of publication one business day prior to release.