Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding.

Today, we are in a battle for the safety and security of every U.S. citizen. Threats against our Nation are at an all-time high. Our adversaries are actively looking for weakness, and we are putting ourselves in harm's way by not carrying out the most basic function of government: protecting the homeland.

This is not a political game. TSA officers are working without pay while protecting our airports. Coastguardsmen are risking their lives at home and are active in the Persian Gulf. FEMA coordinators are operating with limited resources as we get closer to wildfire season. Federal law enforcement is securing our borders against narcoterrorists.

Thanks to Democrat dysfunction, none of these patriots will see their paychecks this month. We already learned this in October. Our homeland security should never be used as a bargaining chip.

I urge my colleagues to choose patriotism over partisanship and fund the Department of Homeland Security immediately.

Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 75.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of my bill, the BRIDGE for Young Onset Alzheimer's Disease Act.

Right now, Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer's after age 65 receive immediate Medicare coverage, but those diagnosed before 65, despite facing the same devastating disease, are forced to wait nearly 29 months for the exact same care.

For the 200,000 Americans living with young-onset Alzheimer's, that delay is devastating.

The BRIDGE for YOAD Act fixes this gap by eliminating the Medicare waiting period for those with young-onset Alzheimer's. Early access to care matters. This disease progresses very quickly. Many patients lose the ability to work or support themselves long before coverage kicks in, while families are left to shoulder an additional $20,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs.

Congress has acted before for rapidly progressing diseases like ALS. We should do the same here. As one of my constituents put it, this bill puts health and dignity first.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the BRIDGE for YOAD Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise today in support in the Housing for the 21st Century Act. After years of inaction, my home State of California has earned an F in housing affordability. Under Gavin Newsom and Sacramento leadership, hardworking families are being left in the dust.

That is why I am taking action to help address this crisis for my constituents in Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.

Earlier this Congress, I worked with President Trump to secure historic SALT relief for Californians. That relief, combined with the provisions in the Housing for the 21st Century Act, will bring the dream of homeownership closer to reality for working families in my district.

For far too long, working-class Americans have been priced out of the housing market. The Housing for the 21st Century Act confronts that problem head-on by exploring where our housing system has left these families behind.

For the first time since 2006, we are finally increasing the capital that financial institutions can invest in affordable housing and community development projects. There is finally the willingness to tackle this housing crisis head-on.

The Housing for the 21st Century Act builds on the success of

the working-class families tax cuts and deserves swift passage so we can deliver results for American families.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.J. Res. 142, disapproving of D.C.'s recent decision to decouple from key provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

This resolution ensures that D.C. residents can benefit from President Trump's historic tax cuts, just like hardworking families across the country.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same for my constituents in California's 40th District. Under Governor Newsom's rule, California has repeatedly chosen to decouple from Federal tax relief, denying hardworking families and small businesses much-needed breathing room after years of Bidenflation.

Californians are struggling with some of the highest taxes and cost of living in the Nation and are getting no relief from Governor Newsom and Democrats in Sacramento.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution because workers and families in D.C., California, and across the country deserve a chance to get ahead.

I hope this resolution inspires California's leaders to come to their senses and allow the full relief of the important wins in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that provided the working families tax cuts to take effect for Californians.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate 75 years of leadership and public service by the Municipal Water District of Orange County. This milestone isn't just about longevity. It is about leading through change and planning for the future.

Municipal Water District of Orange County was founded on a simple, yet powerful, idea. Regional collaboration is stronger than working alone. By uniting local agencies and securing access to imported water supplies, the district has helped lay the foundation for Orange County's economic growth, public health, and quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, 75 years later, Municipal Water District of Orange County remains a model of responsible governance and regional cooperation. It is well-prepared to meet the next 75 years with the same leadership and integrity that has built Orange County into what it is today.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate them on 75 years, and I thank them for serving our community.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand in support of H.R. 5184, the Affordable HOMES Act.

This bill fixes a broken Federal process that has stalled sensible updates to housing standards for years. While the issue is clear in manufactured housing energy standards, the lesson applies across the housing market: Overlapping regulations increase costs without delivering better outcomes for families.

As a champion of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, I fought to deliver real relief for hardworking families by raising the State and local tax deduction cap to $40,000 so families can keep more of what they earn and finally afford to buy a home.

We must also bring the Housing for the 21st Century Act to the House floor as soon as possible to help working-class American families get ahead.

The Affordable HOMES Act is a practical step forward that helps families without sacrificing safety or efficiency.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a very heavy heart to honor our colleague Doug LaMalfa.

Doug was larger than life, but what I will remember most is how he lived big in the small moments with warmth, attention to detail, and genuine kindness.

Doug was the only Member of Congress who ever called me by my Korean name, Kim Young Oak. He didn't have to remember it. He never needed to do that, but that small, thoughtful gesture meant the world to me and spoke volumes about who Doug was.

Doug was a strong, conservative leader who served with a deep love for our country and brought the heartland to Washington, not the other way around.

As a fourth-generation rice farmer, he never forgot who he worked for--farmers, families, and rural communities who were too often ignored by Washington.

He will be missed. We will all miss him. My heart is with his family, his staff, and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.

Mr. Speaker, in just a short time, our Nation will celebrate America's 250th birthday. This is a moment to reflect on how far we have come as a nation and the shared ideals that have carried us through challenge and triumph.

America 250 is not simply a milestone on the calendar. It is a call to remember the innovation, perseverance, and sacrifice that have shaped our Nation, and to keep fighting for the American Dream that has stewarded freedom for generations of Americans.

I rise today to recognize the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda for helping lead this nationwide commemoration. Its new exhibit, ``America 250: A More Perfect Union,'' invites visitors to walk through the defining chapters of our shared history, not as distant events, but as living lessons about who we are and who we aspire to be.

The Nixon Library has long been a cultural and educational cornerstone in California's 40th Congressional District, enriching our community through its commitment to historical stewardship and civic education. As America prepares for this anniversary, the Nixon Library is once again stepping up to inspire reflection, unity, and renewed purpose.

Today, I encourage Americans of all ages to take a moment to engage with our history, to remember the courage of those who came before us, and to ensure the spirit of 1776 continues to guide our path forward.

Supporting Individuals Living with Alopecia Areata

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the millions of Americans, including many in my district, who live with alopecia areata. It is an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss and often comes with significant emotional and mental health challenges.

Alopecia affects people of every age and background, and for many, the journey can feel isolating or misunderstood. No one should face this condition alone. Raising awareness helps ensure that patients and families receive the understanding, compassion, and support they deserve.

Today, I recognize the strength of those living with alopecia and the loved ones who stand beside them. Their resilience reminds us of the importance of community and the need to continue fostering empathy and inclusion for all who are navigating visible and invisible health challenges.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1069, the PROTECT Our Kids Act.

The Chinese Communist Party is executing the most sophisticated global influence campaign of our time. They are not just targeting our military or U.S. companies. They are targeting our children.

One of the CCP's key tools is the Confucius classroom program. These programs are funded, staffed, and overseen by the Chinese Government, giving them direct influence over curriculum, teaching materials, and the content presented to American children.

We cannot allow an authoritarian regime that censors information, rewrites history, and silences dissent to have any role in American education. Our classrooms must remain places of learning; not foreign influence.

The PROTECT Our Kids Act sets a simple but necessary safeguard: If a school chooses to host a CCP-funded Confucius program, then it should not receive Federal taxpayer dollars. It is as simple as that. This bill upholds academic integrity, protects parents' rights over their child's schooling, counters communist propaganda, and strengthens our national security.

The CCP is playing the long game: influencing minds early and often. We must meet this challenge head-on.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and stand firm against foreign indoctrination in American schools.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Davidson for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4423, the No New Funds for Burma Act. This bill would suspend disbursements and financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to Burma until the Treasury Secretary identifies a meaningful change in regime and restoration of democratic values.

In February 2021, the democratically elected members of Burma's Government were deposed by the military junta. As we approach almost 5 years since the military's unlawful seizure of power, chaos has overtaken Burma. Since the coup, more than 6,000 people have been killed, 20,000 detained, and more than 3.5 million displaced from their homes.

Caused directly by the Burmese military junta, this humanitarian crisis makes one thing very clear: The regime cannot be trusted to responsibly steward funds from international financial institutions or deliver aid to the communities most in need.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Williams of Georgia for allowing me to co-lead the No New Funds for Burma Act. I urge my colleagues to join us in condemning the ongoing violence in Burma and supporting this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, it is such an honor to stand here to strongly support H. Con. Res. 58.

As a Korean American who grew up in the aftermath of the Korean war, I have witnessed the horrors of socialism firsthand. I always say, if you want to see the difference between socialism and freedom, just look at the Korean Peninsula at night. South Korea shines with opportunity. North Korea is trapped in darkness.

Time and time again throughout history, socialism has led to disaster, starvation, imprisonment, and the death of over 100 million people worldwide.

My own family lived those horrors. My mother-in-law risked her life crossing the DMZ lines multiple times to rescue loved ones from the North Korean regime. To this day, tens of thousands of Korean families remain separated by a system that tears apart communities and crushes basic human dignity.

Now more than ever, as socialist ideas gain traction here at home-- and as our Nation's largest city and financial capital has elected not just a socialist, but a communist as mayor--we must firmly demand our capitalist free market system, which empowers Americans of all backgrounds to achieve freedom, opportunity, and prosperity.

I know what America represents because I remember my first glimpse of freedom as a young girl, looking up, wide-eyed, as U.S. soldiers tossed candy from their trucks in the community where I lived. Today, as one of the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress, that freedom tastes just as sweet.

Mr. Speaker, stories like these can only happen in America. As a Member of Congress, I will always fight for the American Dream and for our free market system that keeps it within reach for everyday Americans.

Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Chair, had I been present, I

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Baumgartner, for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4490, the PARTNER Act. This bill represents a bold and necessary commitment to strengthening America's engagement with our allies and partner organizations worldwide by granting tailored immunities and privileges.

Of note is the inclusion of provisions from the PARTNER Act with the ASEAN Act and the Pacific Partnership Act, which together elevate U.S. cooperation with our Indo-Pacific allies.

The Indo-Pacific is home to over one-half of the world's population, vital trade routes, and rapidly growing economies and markets. It is a region that I hold as a key priority as chair of the East Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee due to its significance to national security and economic prosperity.

Meanwhile, the region also faces significant challenges, including rising geopolitical tensions, maritime disputes, and growing coercion from bad actors seeking to undermine a rules-based order.

This bill is long overdue and sends a strong message that the United States will stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends, including our Indo-Pacific partners, from the Philippines to Palau, to promote a free, open, and prosperous region.

This bill is not just about diplomatic immunities; it is about American leadership on the global stage.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co-lead this bill with Representative Castro, and I urge my colleagues to support it.