Floor Statements

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in solidarity with south Texas sugar and in opposition to the Foxx-Davis amendment.

In deep south Texas, we are proud of our sugar corporation, our sugar mill, and the jobs they support. Our existing sugar policy levels the playing field for American producers in the ever volatile world of the sugar market. It works. Sugar growers in my district can attest to that. Better yet, it has come at no cost to taxpayers for 14 of the last 15 years.

I ask everyone to vote ``no'' on this amendment.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote for Roll Call vote 167 and 168 on May 7, 2018. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call vote 167, and Yea on Roll Call vote 168.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Fred Del Barrio, who was recently named Business Man of the Year by the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

In 1984, Fred Del Barrio, a high school senior at the time, reluctantly took his first job at the McDonald's on Conway Avenue in Mission, Texas. By the age of 20, he was the manager of the McDonald's at El Centro Mall in Pharr; by the age of 23 he was the supervisor of three stores; and by the age of 31 he owned his own franchise. Today, Mr. Del Barrio is the proud owner of 13 McDonald's franchises.

Mr. Del Barrio has been described by his peers as exceptionally humble and versatile. Moreover, when the Rio Grande Valley Chamber of Commerce chose him for Business Man of the Year they cited his knowledge of ``the value of giving back to the community.'' Because he has been in their shoes, Mr. Del Barrio understands the importance of fostering relationships with his employees. Even though the job has changed over time, Mr. Del Barrio strives to give all of his employees the resources they need to get ahead.

Mr. Speaker, it is honoring to represent industrious and productive South Texan. Fred Del Barrio's business acumen and contributions to the community are a shining example of what the 15th District of Texas has to offer.

Mr. Speaker, on Roll Call No. 112, I was inadvertently recorded as voting ``nay.'' I support H.R. 4545, the Financial Institutions Examination Fairness and Reform Act, and my vote should be recorded as ``yea.''

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of William ``Billy'' Leo, a public servant, small business owner, and proud resident of La Joya, Texas, who passed away Saturday, March 17, 2018.

From 1974 to 2011, Billy, known as ``Mr. Democrat,'' served his community in a number of capacities. He served as County Clerk for Hidalgo County, Mayor of the city of La Joya, School Board Trustee for La Joya lSD, and from 1988 through 1996, Billy served as a delegate for the Democratic National Committee. During this time, Billy was also the proprietor of beloved local convenient store chain, Leo's Food Mart.

In 1960, Billy graduated from Texas A&I Kingsville with a degree in political science . . Shortly thereafter, he emerged as a political leader, following in his father, Leo J. Leo's, footsteps. Both men served the people of Hidalgo County with great honor. He once said of La Joya and his life, ``I worked hard and cared for my city. That's all I want to be remembered for. I was here and I think this is the best city there is.''

Mr. Speaker, South Texas lost one of our greatest public servants, but his legacy will live on. It is a privilege to continue the fight William ``Billy'' Leo championed his entire life: making sure every voice in Hidalgo County, and South Texas, is heard.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote for Roll Call vote 70 on February 13, 2018. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Yea on Roll Call Vote 70.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote for Roll Call votes 51 and 52 on February 5, 2018. Had I been present, my votes would have been the following: Nay on 52, and Aye on Roll Call vote 51.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so that we can immediately bring the Dream Act to the floor.

I stand before you today with a reopened government, ready to transform discussion into action. This is the 19th time that we have requested a vote on the Dream Act.

Congress did not create this emergency. This is a mere negotiation tactic brought about by the actions of a single man.

The time for tactics is over. Now is the time to put your vote to work and break the deadlock issue.

We are a nation of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. A great man once said: ``The bosom of America is open to receive not only the opulent and the respected stranger, but the oppressed and persecuted of all nations and religions, whom we shall welcome to a participation with all our rights and privileges. . . .''

That man was George Washington, Mr. Speaker, our country's first President.

Now let us take a moment to reflect on this and how President Washington saw our country. George Washington would welcome an opulent and respected stranger, you know, like folks from Norway. However, we should also welcome the oppressed and the persecuted of all nations and all religions in the world.

Compare George Washington's words to President Trump's, who said: ``I do business with the Mexican people, but you have people coming through the border that are from all over. And they are bad. They are really bad. You have people coming in, and I am not just saying Mexicans. I am talking about people who are from all over that are killers and rapists, and they are coming into this country.''

Please, Mr. Speaker, do not let this era be known as the day that America surrendered. Do not let our country go down the path of religious persecution. Do not let our country fall to the dictates of convenience.

The United States of America sets the tone for the rest of the world. In other words, Mr. Speaker, if we do not help the less fortunate than us, who can we count on?

It is not easy to say no, Mr. Speaker. It is easy to surrender. It is a rare occasion where an easy choice is the right choice.

It is up to us, the leaders of our country, to take the hard path, the path taken by our ancestors.

About 800,000 young people living in our country, also known as DREAMers, are facing an uncertain future.

Many criticize how DACA was created, some even criticize the granting of a status quo on immigrants. I say this is un-American. I say to these critics that it is time to become problem solvers for our country.

We only have a few days left under the current continuing resolution to pass a bill that provides DACA recipients a pathway to citizenship. We made a promise to the American people and to 800,000 DREAMers who are American in every way except on paper.

To all the DREAMers, I want you to know that I stand with you.

Today I call on every Member of Congress to remember that we are a nation founded by immigrants. I call on you to give these DREAMers a chance. Let's get it done.

Mr. Speaker, on roll call No. 690 I was inadvertently recorded as voting ``no.'' I support the Women in Aerospace Education Act and my vote should be recorded as ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote for Roll Call votes 685, 686, and 687 on December 18, 2017. Had I been present, my votes would have been the following: Nay on 685 and Aye on Roll Call votes 686, and 687.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding community member and upstanding citizen, Mr. Ron Dominguez of Rockport, Texas.

A proud U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Dominguez has continued to honorably serve his community as a Ride Captain with the Patriot Guard Riders; a Little League Volunteer; a Volunteer Rescue Worker at Ground Zero and post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans; and as a Mentor at the Robert Barnes Regional Juvenile Facility Boot Camp. Mr. Dominguez was also a member of the Aransas County Class Leadership Class XVIII. He achieved all of this while being a loving husband and father.

As you can see, Mr. Dominguez has accomplished many amazing feats, and I have no doubt that he will go on to accomplish more. And even after countless successes, he has remained humble, owing his achievements to Tellisah, his wife, who has always offered her unwavering and steadfast support.

Mr. Speaker, I again offer my congratulations to Mr. Dominguez, his wife, Tellisah, and their 6 beloved daughters. His empathy, goodwill, and perseverance have not gone unnoticed. Mr. Dominguez and his family have made the state of Texas and the United States a better place, and it is my honor to acknowledge him today.

Mr. Speaker, I was unable to cast my vote on October 31, 2017 for Roll Call Vote 591. Had I been present, my vote would have been the following: Aye on Roll Call Vote 591

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Stephen Conquest, who is celebrating his 50th Birthday.

Defying all odds, Mr. Conquest has outlived the life expectancy given to him by doctors, who estimated that he would not make it past his teenage years. Born with Down Syndrome, a genetic anomaly that leads to developmental delays, the likelihood of Mr. Conquest developing life threatening conditions was higher than most.

Mr. Conquest went on to join the Boy Scouts, receiving the Order of the Arrow; became an active member of the Future Farmers of America; won state gold medals in the 100-meter dash and long jump in the Special Olympics; and has been an invaluable employee at The McAllen Monitor since 1990.

Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Conquest is also a valued friend, coworker, and son. I am proud to represent constituents like Mr. Conquest, who set the example for how life should truly be lived.

Mr. Speaker, I again offer my congratulations to Mr. Conquest and his family. His perseverance, compassion, and versatility to leading a full life is exemplary and has not gone unnoticed. He has made the South Texas community a better place, and it is my honor to acknowledge him today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Weslaco, Texas native, Mrs. Teresa P. Perez, who is celebrating her 80th birthday.

Born on October 14, 1937, she has been a pillar in the community. Mrs. Perez has resided in Weslaco since 1938 and been a lifelong member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

Mrs. Perez has held many successful roles throughout her life but none more important than those to her family as a daughter, sister, mother and grandmother.

Mr. Speaker, I again offer my congratulations to Mrs. Perez and her family: Cindy, Tommy, Louie, Rose, Arturo, Terry Ruben, Mike, Andrew, Cathy, Danny, and all 20 of her beloved grandchildren. Mrs. Perez and her family have made South Texas a better place, and it is my honor to acknowledge her today and wish her a very happy birthday.

Mr. Speaker, this bill requires federal banking regulators to define municipal obligations as liquid, readily marketable and investment grade.

Defining municipal securities in this way will allow financial institutions greater flexibility to manage their liquidity requirements and use their capital resources more impactfully and effectively. In short, this bill goes a long way to strengthen the liquidity risk management of banks, savings associations, and bank holding companies.

This bill does all this by redefining what qualifies as ``High Quality Liquid Assets''. Currently HQLAs are defined as U.S. Treasuries, Government Debt, Investment Grade Corporate Debt, and Excess Reserves held by the Fed. Notably absent from that list are Municipal Securities.

Better public policy calls for such securities to be redefined as HQLAs. This is important, because Municipal Securities are issued for vital purposes such as transportation projects, housing developments, healthcare and recreational facilities, as well as bridges, schools and hospitals.

The current exclusion of Municipal securities from the HQLA definition reduces the eligible pool of potential purchasers of municipal issuances. This results in increased borrowing costs for our state and local governments, especially during times of economic stress. Simply put, high quality liquid municipal bonds (issued by U.S. states and local governments) should not be viewed as inferior to that of foreign sovereign debt. In fact, our domestic municipal issuances often have superior credit quality and market liquidity than do many foreign issuances.

The exclusion also discourages banks and other financial institutions from holding investment grade municipal securities and is causing many bank holding companies and national banks to retreat from investing in such securities, thereby forcing state and local governments to scale back spending on roads, schools, and other infrastructure projects.

Various former governors of the Federal Reserve have already suggested that some local and state debt is comparable to that of very liquid corporate bonds. Chairman Yellen herself has frequently declared her support of the expanded treatment of municipal securities as HQLAs.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, our states and local governments expect to confront an infrastructure spending gap of over $2 Trillion dollars over the next 10 years. Let's pass this bill now so that the American people get the country they deserve.