Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise today in strong support of the Cambodia Democracy Act, which was introduced by the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).

As a cosponsor and as an advocate for the Cambodian community in southern California, I am especially proud to speak on this measure today.

The people of Cambodia have been living under the iron-fisted rule of Hun Sen for decades. Under his reign, he has denied Cambodians almost all of their political rights and prevented free and fair elections from taking place. In recent years, Hun Sen has resorted to violence and attacked peaceful protesters. He has undermined Cambodia's democracy by dismantling the country's only viable opposition party.

The work of NGOs has also been limited, and critical media outlets have been shut down. Like many other dictators, he fears the day when he will no longer be in power.

As the beacon of hope and freedom to the rest of the world, a key pillar of our foreign policy must be to support the expansion of democracy in other countries.

The Cambodia Democracy Act will help push back on Hun Sen's regime by applying asset blocking and visa sanctions on any government officials or security forces who have undermined the democratic process or committed human rights abuses.

The strong bipartisan bill has passed the House in successive Congresses and is a touchstone of congressional support for the people of Cambodia and their desire to democratic governance.

Members of both parties have long supported this important piece of legislation, and I urge my colleagues to continue that support.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), who is the ranking member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation, and the author of this bill.

Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank Congressman Chabot for introducing this bill and for all of his work on behalf of the Cambodian people.

I would also like to thank Congressman Bera for supporting this bill as the lead Democrat sponsor.

Helping restore Cambodia's democracy is in line with the American values that we all share. It is also a good national security strategy, as holding Hun Sen's regime accountable will pressure him to stop serving as a willing puppet of the Chinese Communist Party.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sayed Obaidullah Amin, who served heroically in Afghanistan and risked his life as a translator for U.S. forces in Sangan Valley.

Sayed had a pending SIV, P1, and P2 application to get to the United States. He had the help of marines who he served with, as well as the help of my office. Unfortunately, he and his wife were killed at Abbey Gate during the Kabul airport attack fighting to get to safety. Their two infant children survived, and they are P1, P2 applicants, and they need the help of our State Department to get to safety.

My heart continues to be with his children, the marines he served with, and all those who worked so hard to get him to safety. Our mission is not over. We have lives to save.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank veterans, non-governmental organizations, congressional offices, and ordinary citizens who have stepped up where the Biden administration has failed to save the lives of Americans and our Afghan allies who fought alongside U.S. troops and now are trapped behind enemy lines.

In many cases they have taken the lead in helping Americans and our allies flee the country through independent rescue operations.

Veterans like marines Andrew Darlington and Jeremy Horton who worked with my office tirelessly helped those Afghans whom they fought

alongside. They served our country honorably in uniform and did so again when they were called.

The administration's withdrawal has been a failure, but these individuals who have volunteered to be on the front lines of saving lives are heroes, and they have shown the world why we are an exceptional people. This is not about politics; this is about America keeping the promises we made. Our mission is not over.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota for yielding.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rule that is being debated as we consider the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation.

I rise today in support of workers, families, and businesses in communities I represent in California's 39th Congressional District.

Now is the time for Congress to show it can work together for the American people.

As our economy recovers during the COVID-19 pandemic and Americans across the country pay more everywhere from the grocery store to the gas pump, Democrats are once again bypassing bipartisanship and moving forward with a partisan $3.5 trillion budget.

According to Tax Foundation, this budget reconciliation would also raise taxes for people I represent in California's 39th District by an average of over $600. My constituents have been burdened enough by some of the highest State taxes in the country.

Now, our Nation is scrambling to keep promises we made in Afghanistan to Americans and Afghan partners. The last thing we need is trillions more in spending on unrelated priorities and more taxes. This makes no sense.

The majority's budget will increase prices, raise taxes, and take even more money out of taxpayers' pockets. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this reconciliation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Dr. Mike Myungki Hong, a giant in the Korean-American community who exemplified the American Dream. He was a personal friend, a mentor, a visionary, and a very generous philanthropist who touched the lives of so many people.

Despite his success as an engineer and founder of Dura Coat Products, he was a very humble man who loved his wife, Lorrie, and his children very, very dearly. He spent his life giving back to his community and supporting the next generation of young leaders.

Dr. Hong dedicated his life to carrying on the legacy of Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, a leader of the Korean independence movement, with honesty, humility, integrity, and passion.

The Korean-American community and I are indebted to Dr. Hong for his service and dedication. I pray that Dr. Hong's love of our country and community continues to live through us, and I pray for God's peace for his family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Antonio ``Tony'' Rangel, a longtime veteran from the city of Placentia, who is now the namesake of American Legion Post 277.

Mr. Rangel served in the United States Army during the Korean war and has spent more than half of his life as a member of the American Legion.

Mr. Rangel has not only served our Nation, but also has long been a pillar of our Placentia community. He was named Placentia Citizen of the Year in 1989 and continues to live up to that title each and every day.

It is only fitting that the Post 277 building is officially the Antonio ``Tony'' Rangel Hall.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Rangel for his service to our country and to California's 39th Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Congressman Jerry Lewis, the longest-serving House Republican in California history.

Throughout his 17 terms in Congress, Congressman Lewis stood as an steadfast example of civic service.

Congressman Lewis knew how to work across the aisle and get things done for his community, our state and the nation.

He was known to all as down to earth and remarkably kind. When someone addressed him as `Congressman Lewis,' he would always reply with a smile--``My friends call me Jerry. You're my friend, so please call me Jerry.''

Jerry loved his hometown of San Bernardino and was loved back by the community.

His legacy of hard work, dedication to conservative values, humor and kindness will not be forgotten.

I hope you will all join me in keeping his family in your prayers during this time.

Madam Speaker, Americans are seeing the impacts of inflation every day, with rising costs everywhere from the gas pump to the grocery store. California workers and families are bearing the brunt of this nationwide, 13-year inflation high.

Prices of everyday goods in my State are, in many cases, higher than the national average. For example, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline in California's 39th District is more than $1 higher than the national average.

Additionally, these higher costs come in addition to high State and local taxes, cost of living, and astronomical housing costs. June statistics showed the median housing price in my district rose more than 20 percent, with the median price of a single-family home being more than $800,000.

That is why I am disappointed that instead of working with Republicans to address inflation, get Americans back

to work, and support small businesses, Democrats are moving forward with trillions more in Federal spending on a partisan wish list that will cause increased Federal debt, an even higher cost of living, and more money out of the pockets of hardworking taxpayers.

We should be making life more affordable, not less.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand in support of H.R. 826, the Divided Families Reunification Act, and I want to thank Congresswoman Meng for introducing this bill and the House Foreign Affairs Committee for ensuring a speedy passage of this timely legislation.

I am also proud to colead another bill under consideration today that addresses this issue, H. Res. 294, introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass).

Since implementing family reunions in 1985, the South and North Korean Governments have facilitated 21 in-person reunions and seven video reunions. However, the nearly 100,000 Korean Americans with family members in North Korea have been left out of this process entirely.

As a longtime advocate for human rights and humanitarian aid in North Korea, I have consistently spoken on the need to prioritize these issues, especially by appointing a Special Envoy for North Korean human rights issues, which has remained vacant since 2017, and remains unfilled under President Biden.

Time is running out for separated family members, as many are in their eighties and nineties, and their numbers continue to dwindle. Congress and the Biden administration must come together to make Korean-American participation and reunifications a reality before it is too late.

My mother-in-law was one of the many Koreans who made the brave journey across the 38th parallel line to bring her family to South Korea. She crossed five times to go back and forth and bring family members across to South Korea.

As an immigrant from South Korea whose family lived through the Korean war, and now as one of the first Korean-American women to serve in Congress, I am proud to use my voice in support of this issue that is deeply personal to me and our Korean-American community.

I want to again thank Representatives Karen Bass and Grace Meng for introducing these measures and for working to garner strong bipartisan support.

I urge my colleagues to support House passage of these bills today and for the Senate to prioritize consideration of this issue on behalf of the tens of thousands of Korean Americans alive today waiting to reunite with their long lost family members.

Madam Speaker, I rise today joined by my colleague, Rep. Steel, to commemorate the birthday of one of our Nation's greatest First Ladies and a true American patriot. 100 years ago, on July 6, Nancy Reagan was born. Throughout her lifetime, she served in many roles--from movie star to loving mother, from First Lady of both California and the United States to distinguished philanthropist. No matter her position, she fulfilled her duties with grace; elegance; and, above all, class.

As First Lady of California, Nancy became involved with important charitable work, including visiting Vietnam War veterans, homes for the elderly, and schools for physically and emotionally handicapped children. She participated in events raising awareness about prisoners of war and servicemembers missing in action. She also promoted the Foster Grandparent Program, a volunteer opportunity for older Americans to mentor, guide, and care for children with exceptional needs. This program continues to make important contributions to this day, benefitting both children and elderly people. According to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, showcasing the power of Mrs. Reagan's attention, in the program's first year of operation, 782 foster grandparents carried out projects in 27 States. By 1985, some 19,000 foster grandparents served 65,000 children in all 50 states.

As First Lady during President Reagan's two terms, she led the charge on educating our Nation' s youth on the dangers of drug use and addiction, teaching a generation of children and young adults to ``Just Say No.'' In 1985, she hosted First Ladies from across the world for a briefing in Washington and Atlanta on the topic of drug abuse and what can be done to help those who are suffering from it. Her drive to educate young people about the dangers of illicit drugs demonstrates her commitment to the future of our nation.

After her time in the White House, Nancy had a profound impact in our own communities through her support of the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. It was through her guidance and influence that the Reagan Library became one of the most esteemed centers for learning and Presidential scholarship in the country. She also continued the push to educate people on the perils of substance abuse and established the Nancy Reagan Foundation and the Nancy Reagan Afterschool Program to support this mission.

After President Reagan passed away, she became a leading advocate for individuals suffering from Alzheimer's Disease and their caregivers. Nancy worked with the National Alzheimer's Association and its affiliate, the Ronald & Nancy Reagan Research Institute in Chicago, Illinois, to find a cure or treatment for this terrible disease that plagues so many in our country. She courageously continued President Reagan's legacy in serving our country until her death in 2016. She is buried on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library grounds next to her beloved husband.

On the centennial of her birth, we commend Mrs. Reagan for her service to our communities, the State of California, and the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken the lives of 4 million individuals across the world, including 600,000 Americans. It took the life of my mother-in-law, as well as the loved ones of many of my constituents in the community that I represent.

As we safely reopen our communities and evaluate lessons learned, we know no one wants to see another pandemic. As we hear of the new delta variant, I know I am not alone in wanting answers regarding the origins of COVID-19.

Reports of this virus having escaped from a lab must be taken seriously and looked into, especially as CCP refuses to cooperate with investigations into COVID-19's origins.

As we mark the CCP centennial, and it continues its quest to be the world's top economic, technological, and military superpower, it is more important than ever that we get to the truth.

This is a public health issue, economic issue, and a national security issue that, as we saw over the past year, will impact each of us.

Madam Speaker, I thank my friend, Representative Suozzi from New York, for yielding. And I want to thank him for working with me in a bipartisan push to repeal the cap on SALT deductions that is hurting American workers and families.

Californians in the 39th District--which I represent--and across our State, have been burdened enough by high State and local taxes in addition to high cost of living and housing. The last thing they need is to be hurt even more because of these State and local taxes at the Federal level.

I have heard from many of my constituents about the burdensome taxes they have to pay as a result of the SALT cap. These are workers, business owners, and families who are struggling to survive due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is estimated that in the 2022 tax year, California's 39th District will pay on average $600 million more in taxes.

In 2018 alone, Californians paid an additional $11.2 billion in Federal taxes because of the SALT cap. That translated into 55,000 fewer jobs and a loss of $3.4 billion in wages.

Assuming a middle-of-the-road rate of 25 percent, an average taxpayer who claimed itemized deductions would have saved $6,521 in taxes if the SALT deduction were not capped at $10,000. These high tax rates are on top of the skyrocketing housing prices across the State. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, the median price for a single-family home in California has increased by more than 39 percent in the past year alone, surpassing the $800,000 threshold for the first time in April of this year.

That is why it is a top priority of mine in Congress to make life more affordable for Californians and repeal the SALT cap. This is hurting my constituents and many middle-class Americans across the Nation.

I was proud to join my friend, Representative Suozzi, as an original cosponsor of the SALT Deductibility Act. This bill would simply repeal the cap on SALT deductions and send a message: No more to burdensome taxes, and yes to our families keeping more money in their hands.

I am also proud to serve as co-chair of the bipartisan SALT Caucus as we continue to work together to repeal this cap and help lower taxes for my constituents and businesses.

I will continue to do all I can to deliver results for California's 39th District. I thank Representative Suozzi for organizing this Special Order and for his leadership to repeal the SALT cap.

Madam Speaker, on a regular basis we have had townhalls and we have had regular meetings throughout my business roundtable discussions, and they brought this issue up over and over.

In the last several years we have had many thousands of Californians leaving to other States like Texas, and I have to literally go over there to meet my friends and listen to these problems. So, yes, this is a major issue, and I will continue to work with the gentleman to repeal the SALT cap.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Representatives Houlahan and Fitzpatrick, for their work on the Global Learning Loss Assessment Act.

As of December 2020, the United Nations estimated that school classrooms for one in five children, which is over 320 million children, remained closed. Further reports indicate more than 880 million children worldwide faced disruptions to their education due to full and partial school closures.

The continued closure of schools and classrooms is having a devastating impact on the education and the development of the next generation. This bill requires a report on COVID-19 impacts on the United States to support education programs in developing countries.

Last year, the United States provided over $900 million to support basic education programs, including support for teacher training, curriculum development, and expanding access to education for refugees and communities in conflict zones.

In many countries, including here in the United States, schools were forced to pivot to virtual learning or close entirely. This bill does not provide any additional assistance. Instead, it requires USAID to assess how previously appropriated funds have been impacted by school closures and other COVID-19-related issues.

It also requires an assessment of how the administration and our implementing partners are changing programs to avoid backsliding in education outcomes as COVID-19 continues to prevent regular schooling.

It is critical that we understand the impacts of COVID-19 on our programs to ensure our foreign aid is used efficiently and effectively.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Houlahan for this important legislation that she is introducing. Education lays the foundation for future prosperity and stability. I am deeply concerned by the impact this pandemic is having on school children, particularly amongst the vulnerable communities facing conflict and refugees who are already experiencing barriers to educational access.

We must understand the full scope of these challenges in order to address programs accordingly and ensure effective use of our funds. So I urge my colleagues to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I, too, want to thank my colleagues Congressman Sherman and Congressman Chabot for introducing this legislation.

COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the world, but some countries have been hit harder than others.

In March of this year, just as Americans were receiving COVID-19 vaccines and the United States was seeing a decline in cases, infections in India began to surge. A year before, in the spring of 2020, when the United States was experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases, India came to our aid and lifted its export ban on certain drugs in response to a request by the United States.

In response to India's surge, the United States quickly delivered much-needed supplies, such as PPE, rapid tests, and other drugs to India. This action from the United States, the world's oldest democracy, to India, the world's largest democracy, is only fitting. India and the United States are natural partners and COVID-19 has only proven our ties are growing stronger.

This resolution further shows that the House stands with the people of India as they work to stem the spread of COVID-19 throughout India.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

In closing, I would like to, once again, thank Representative Sherman and Representative Chabot for their work on this resolution.

It has been said before, but I will say it again, COVID-19 has shown that pandemics know no borders. Allies must come together and support one another during these difficult times. And we must work with India and the international community to end the spread of COVID-19 and prevent future pandemics.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this resolution, H. Res. 402, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2225, the NSF for the Future Act, legislation that invests in our country's future through targeted investments in research and innovation at the university level, K-12 STEM education, and the development and commercialization of new technologies.

I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 2225, which provides our country and the National Science Foundation with the tools to preserve our technological and economic supremacy in the face of the shifting patterns of global competitiveness.

This bipartisan legislation would authorize $50 billion over 5 years for American innovation and basic research. Additionally, the legislation ensures taxpayer investments in innovation and research are protected from theft and espionage by the Chinese Communist Party.

H.R. 2225 also contains important provisions to ensure our country is developing a 21st century workforce by investing in STEM education at all levels, from pre-K through 12th grades. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues, Representative Gwen Moore, Ranking Member Lucas, and Chairwoman Johnson, to include my legislation, H.R. 3859, the Innovations in Informal STEM Learning Act.

H.R. 3859 sets up the pre-K through eighth grade informal STEM program, which directs the NSF Director to award competitive, merit- reviewed grants that support student participation in competitions, after-school activities, and field experiences related to STEM education. Additionally, this legislation would bridge the achievement gap for minority and rural students by prioritizing STEM education in those communities.

As our Nation fights to stay ahead as the world leader in innovation, science, and technology, we must rely on the strength of our Nation's diversity. We cannot afford to compete in the 21st century economy and against China with one hand tied behind our back.

I commend Ranking Member Lucas and Chairwoman Johnson's leadership for reaching a bipartisan agreement on this legislation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 2225.