Floor Statements

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 4233, the AUKUS Reform for Military Optimization and Review Act, or the ARMOR Act.

The ARMOR Act strengthens defense collaboration and trade among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which make up the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.

Since its inception in 2021, AUKUS has been key to our collective defense strategy, promoting cooperation on cutting-edge technologies like nuclear-powered submarines, artificial intelligence, and hypersonic systems.

Unfortunately, outdated export controls and bureaucratic hurdles currently hinder the efficient sharing of critical defense technologies among our trusted partners.

H.R. 4233 addresses these challenges by facilitating quicker, more secure transfers of defense materials while preserving critical protections for sensitive technologies.

Specifically, it expands the expedited licensing to include retransfers, removes the congressional notification requirement on certain AUKUS transfers, requires a report on implementation of expedited review for export licenses, and requires an annual review of the Excluded Technology List to ensure the list is relevant and aligned with AUKUS goals.

The Indo-Pacific faces growing challenges, and the unholy alliance is growing more brazen and aggressive. This

week, Xi Jinping is hosting Iran, North Korea, Russia, and other hostile actors for a military parade. They are clearly sending a message to the United States and our allies that they are more united than ever.

Time is of the essence. We need to expedite the AUKUS partners' access to markets and make sure this defense pact is working as intended.

Bureaucratic delays to the AUKUS agreement undermine our ability to counter threats and to maintain technological and defense superiority.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill to send a strong message to our adversaries and friends alike that the United States is serious about preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific with our allies.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the Foreign Arms Sales Task Force co-chairs, Representatives Zinke and Dean, for leading this bill with me.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Baumgartner, for yielding and for managing the floor today.

I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 2635, the Uyghur Policy Act of 2025.

The Uyghur Policy Act of 2025 comes at a very important time. The Chinese Communist Party continues to deny its genocide against the Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. We know that forced sterilization, forced labor, brainwashing, and torture are rampant in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Despite exposure of the CCP's crimes, Xi Jinping is doubling down. A civil society investigation uncovered that the CCP's harassment and forced transfer of Uyghur workers is more pervasive than previously thought, with individuals relocated over 2,000 miles away from the Uyghur region.

Meanwhile, Uyghur human rights advocates and family members of detainees are intimidated and harassed by the CCP's transnational repression and espionage campaigns abroad. The fact that this happens here on U.S. soil is unacceptable and threatens our homeland.

The Uyghur Policy Act directs the Secretary of State to lead all United States Government policies and programs that support Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It counteracts transnational repression against the Uyghur diaspora and creates reporting mechanisms for Uyghur victims.

It also works to expose and disrupt Beijing's state-sponsored forced labor programs that exploit Uyghurs in order to dominate vital industries. This includes the cotton industry, where more than 20 percent of the world's cotton is a product of Uyghur forced labor. We need to make sure that our economy is not subsidized by the CCP's human rights abuses.

The United States must show through words and through actions that we will have Uyghurs' backs in their fight against the CCP's tyranny. We must leverage U.S. soft power, garner international support for Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities, and equip the State Department with the tools that it needs to effectively fight against Xi Jinping's genocidal campaign.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Ami Bera, for leading this bipartisan legislation with me, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.

I rise in strong support of H.R. 3095, which directs the U.S. Postal Service to designate a unique ZIP Code for certain communities, including North Tustin in my district.

North Tustin has been a pillar of our Orange County community and a census-designated place. However, its status as an unincorporated area has caused confusion for the Postal Service and for tax purposes.

For example, North Tustin residents are subject to the city of Santa Ana's sales tax, despite not being represented or eligible for services or a vote in the local elections.

Providing North Tustin with a unique ZIP Code will create certainty for residents who have called North Tustin home for decades and provide clarity for tax purposes to surrounding areas, and USPS.

I thank Representative Boebert and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee for working with me on this commonsense, bipartisan measure, and I am hopeful that we can get through to the finish line and help our communities. I ask my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 3351, the Improving Access to Small Business Information Act.

Orange County, which I am proud to represent, is home to over 100,000 small businesses. It takes grit, perseverance, and commitment for entrepreneurs to make an idea into a reality.

To help with some of those challenges facing small businesses, the Securities and Exchange Commission created an Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation.

Each year, the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation hosts events across the country, including California.

These events aim to support small businesses and better understand the issues that they face in raising funds. Unfortunately, burdensome regulations often prevent the advocate from asking the right type of questions.

The former director of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, Ms. Martha Miller, said that: The office went through a yearlong process just to collect registration information for our annual forum and ask a few basic questions to understand the audience attending.

The unfortunate truth is that regulations handicap us from understanding the needs of small businesses.

My bill is very simple. The legislation would specify that activities like conducting field surveys carried out by the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation are not a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Currently, OMB's approval process is prolonged and bureaucratic, which delays feedback collection from small businesses and their investors. Preventing these delays will enable the advocate to gather more effective and timely data.

The better information that the advocate can gather, the better the

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Kiley for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 516 to condemn the violent riots in Los Angeles this month, and I thank our brave law enforcement officers for keeping us safe.

I appreciate the heated debate and the conversation. I thank my colleague (Mr. Kiley) for leading on the groundwork and for explaining what led to the events that occurred last month in Los Angeles, which explains that Federal agents were conducting immigration enforcement, according to the law.

Mr. Speaker, protecting public safety should not be controversial. This resolution is very simple. It recognizes a right to assemble and protest peacefully, and it condemns unequivocally the violence perpetrated against Federal, State, and local law enforcement. It calls on local and State-elected leadership to work with the Federal Government and restore peace. It also expresses gratitude to our local, State, and Federal law enforcement officers for bravely keeping our communities safe in the face of danger.

That is what this is about. Do you stand with our law enforcement officers working to keep our communities safe and have the common sense to call out rioters who commit vandalism, violence, property damage, and other crimes in our streets?

Mr. Speaker, like others in the Chamber and many across this country, I am an immigrant who came here legally in pursuit of the opportunities that this country provides. I am proud to be an American, and I am paying it forward to keep the American Dream alive for my children and grandchildren.

Peaceful protests are a constitutional right we all cherish, and our communities should not be living in fear. But peaceful protests and freedom of assembly gave way to chaos in Los Angeles, as we witnessed a few weeks ago.

We saw acts of arson, looting, property destruction, vandalism, blocking streets and highways, lighting cars on fire, shooting fireworks, throwing rocks at law enforcement vehicles, and even assaulting Federal and local police officers. As a result, we saw more than 500 rioters were arrested, and at least a dozen LAPD officers were injured.

Local and State leadership clearly could not contain the chaos. The riots have cost at least $30 million to pay overtime and repair property damages to city buildings. This doesn't include the small businesses and other private entities whose businesses fell victim to the destruction.

We also know that the riots were enabled by California's soft-on- crime policies that have allowed for lawlessness and endangered public safety.

Again, this resolution recognizes the right to assemble and protest peacefully, condemns the violence against law enforcement, and calls on local and State officials to work with the Federal Government to restore peace. We thank our law enforcement. This is not controversial.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Wagner for yielding and supporting my legislation. I would also like to thank Representative Green of Texas for co-leading H.R. 910 and making this a bipartisan effort.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 910, the Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act.

This bill is simple. It requires the Treasury Department to advocate for Taiwan to join the International Monetary Fund, or IMF. Unfortunately, China has consistently blocked Taiwan's participation in international forums, including IMF. China pursues these tactics because they know that financial security is just as important as military security.

Defense experts have identified that China could exploit Taiwan's financial system by raising tariffs, short-selling stocks, and freezing bank transfers. Joining the IMF would allow Taiwan to access resources that promote financial resilience and deter China's economic coercion.

It has been the longstanding U.S. policy toward Taiwan to support its membership in international organizations where statehood is not a prerequisite. We must continue to advocate for Taiwan's voice to be heard where membership is not possible. This principle has lasted decades across Republican and Democratic administrations, and it has repeatedly been reaffirmed in bills passed by this Congress.

Mr. Speaker, advocating for Taiwan's membership in the IMF would also unlock access to other international financial institutions. The World Bank, for instance, requires members to first be a part of the IMF.

I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 910 and send the Taiwanese people a strong message of solidarity and support for their democracy.

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and remember Otto Frederick Warmbier as June 19 marks 8 years since his tragic death at the hands of the North Korea regime.

Otto was a dedicated young man who graduated as salutatorian of his high school in Ohio before attending the University of Virginia.

While on a school tour in North Korea in 2015, Otto was imprisoned and tortured by the North Korea regime. He died just a few days after his release at just 22 years young.

Otto experienced what no human being should ever have to go through. May his story continue to remind us of all the atrocities the North Korea regime is capable of.

Mr. Speaker, we remember, and we will continue to honor Otto and his memories. In Korean: ``Ulineun Otto-leul yeong-wonhi gieok-hal geos- ibnida.''

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Huizenga for yielding, and I thank our ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Representative Meeks, also for managing this on the House floor.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1263, the Strengthening the Quad Act.

As you have heard, Mr. Speaker, the Quad comprises four nations: the United States, Japan, India, and Australia. It is the cornerstone of our strategy to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, counter the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, and maintain stability and U.S. interests in what the Department of Defense has deemed the priority theater.

Against the backdrop of the CCP's militarization of the South China Sea, coercive economic practices, and territorial disputes, the Quad amplifies our four democracies' deterrence and economic, defense, and technological cooperation.

The Strengthening the Quad Act takes our alliance a step further by creating a comprehensive Quad strategy and establishing a Quad Inter- Parliamentary Working Group that reinforces America's commitment to our allies in the region.

I have seen the benefit of inter-parliamentary working groups coming together, having worked on one of those in the past, and I think this is going to really bring all of our interested parties together to really work on finding solutions to keep our strategic security partnerships stronger.

Now is the time to ramp up the Quad's collaboration on maritime security, cybersecurity, and efforts to counter disinformation to protect our allies and friends, especially the Pacific Island nations. They are counting on us to show up.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co-lead this important legislation with Representative Meeks, and I urge all my colleagues to support the Strengthening the Quad Act.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bost for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 2201, the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act.

Mr. Speaker, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 50 men experience military sexual trauma, or MST, as a servicemember. As many of my colleagues have already stated, a claim based on MST can be difficult to prove because MST often

goes unreported during military service.

Furthermore, evidence indicating that MST occurred is difficult to evaluate, and VA claims processors and examiners do not have sufficient training to recognize indirect evidence of MST. They are also not required to undergo annual sensitivity training to reduce the risk of retraumatizing survivors of MST.

Further, the law requires VA to help veterans filing disability benefits claims based on MST to gather evidence for their claims. However, VA does not always obtain a veteran's complete service personnel and medical records, which can provide crucial evidence to prove an MST claim.

This bipartisan bill works to improve the MST claim process by requiring VA employees working on these cases to complete annual training to better identify evidence and to ensure that veterans are not retraumatized during the examination process.

Additionally, the VA would be required to automatically obtain all service personnel and medical records for veterans filing an MST claim to ensure their cases are processed in an accurate and timely manner.

Streamlining the MST claim process and improving VA training will ensure veterans who endured MST can more easily access their earned benefits and ensure they are treated with compassion during the claims process.

I thank Representatives Nikki Budzinski, Don Bacon, and Chrissy Houlahan for their collaboration on this commonsense, bipartisan measure that provides survivors of MST with the support and protection they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act.

Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress are here to serve their constituents and the American people; not themselves. Unfortunately, we see this year after year with Members of Congress making lucrative stock trades while their constituents struggle to make ends meet.

We must restore public trust in this body, and that starts with each of us in this Chamber. There is no reason why Members of Congress should be able to trade stocks while in office, period. American taxpayers deserve better.

That is why I am proud to have helped introduce the TRUST in Congress Act. This bipartisan bill would prohibit Members of Congress, in addition to their spouses and children, to trade stocks while in office.

This isn't rocket science. This is common sense. Let's just restore trust back in Congress.

Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize and thank my operations director, Alex Keledjian, for his 4 years of service in the House of Representatives, and this is Alex's son, Anthony.

Alex's dedicated work ethic and sharp sense of humor have made him an integral part of our team, keeping me and my office on track, smiling, and teaching us Armenian history along the way.

While he was working around the clock in my office during the past 4 years, he has also been a part-time law school student and devoted husband, father, and dear friend.

Madam Speaker, my team will not be the same without him, but we are excited for him as he embarks on this next chapter in his career as a lawyer back home in Los Angeles. I know I will continue to see him, so we will be cheering for him every step of the way.

``Good luck''; ``Shnorhavor.''

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize Black April and 50 years since the Fall of Saigon.

Over 8.7 million Americans served during the Vietnam war, including 2.7 million who put boots on the ground.

We will always remember the 58,281 U.S. servicemembers who gave everything for freedom, and we rally with our Gold Star families and the loved ones of the 1,573 Americans who remain missing in action.

Many of my constituents fled Vietnam in the Fall of Saigon and found their new home in Orange County in southern California. I am proud to have witnessed many of them becoming very successful members of our society, thriving in all sectors that make America great, and I am so proud to call many of them friends.

Our Vietnamese-American community knows well that we cannot take freedom for granted.

To our Vietnam-era veterans: Welcome home. Know that your service protected freedom on the world stage, and we are very grateful.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Bilirakis for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1479, the Hotel Fees Transparency Act.

Hidden fees on short-term lodging, whether it is at hotels, motels, inns, resorts, or rentals, make it harder for families to plan for a trip.

Too often, what looks like an affordable overnight stay online turns out to be far more expensive once these deceptive charges are added. Additionally, the way these prices are advertised are fragmented and not uniform.

Americans deserve price transparency so that they can appropriately budget for their travels.

The Hotel Fees Transparency Act requires providers of short-term lodging to disclose upfront the full cost of a stay, including all mandatory and service fees. It would also require the lodging and booking industries to clearly display the final price of a stay, providing transparency for consumers and improving American tourism and hospitality.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Castor, Fry, and Mullin for their collaboration on this bipartisan, commonsense, pro-consumer legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the Hotel Fees Transparency Act.

Mr. Speaker, today marks 46 years since the Taiwan Relations Act became law.

This landmark bill has strengthened the partnership with Taiwan and shaped America's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region.

I will recognize that Taiwan is a trusted leader in freedom, democracy, and trade, and is also a needed partner in security against shared threats.

As chairwoman of the East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, I have worked on bipartisan bills to give Taiwan a rightful seat at the table in international organizations, such as WHO and IMF. I led the charge to track and ensure efficient delivery of weapons that Taiwan has purchased from the United States.

This year, I introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to enhance U.S.- Taiwan economic and trade ties. Our partnership with Taiwan is more important than ever.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate Sydney Tran, a seventh grade student at El Rancho Charter School in Orange, for becoming Orange County's new spelling bee champion.

Sydney earned her well-deserved victory and secured a spot at the Scripps National Spelling Bee by spelling the word ``obsecration'' in the 14th round of competition.

In addition to her spelling skills, Sydney is also on the school robotics team and participates in community service projects, embodying the spirit of a well-rounded and engaged student. Her success serves as an inspiration to her peers and brings pride to our entire community.

Sydney will soon head to Washington, D.C., to represent Orange County at the national spelling bee in May.

Mr. Speaker, we wish Sydney good luck. We are cheering her on.