Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise to share the story of a Federal scientist, in their own words, who was fired by President Trump and Elon Musk.

I was a Laboratory Leadership Service, LLS, fellow. We are

a group of 24 Ph.D. scientists in the LLS program at the CDC.

Almost all of the fellows in our program were terminated. LLS

fellows have been instrumental in the past by responding to

combat public health outbreaks like Ebola. Likewise, my

current fellows and I have helped protect the United States

from new and emerging infections within the past year. This

has directly affected our outbreak response work.

Really? We are firing the people who keep Ebola from the country?

These senseless firings have to stop. If you were fired from a Federal science agency, if your cutting-edge science research was destroyed and cut, we want to hear your story. You can share it at the website for the House Science Committee Democrats.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as the chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation to urge that we focus our energy on standing with firefighters, businesses, and families impacted by the Los Angeles County fire, not politics.

I have been hearing unprecedented political attacks, lies, and threats of conditioning disaster aid, even while these fires rage. This is the largest urban fire in the history of the United States.

Our rule has always been disaster help without conditions.

Mr. Speaker, if you want to change our longstanding policy, remember, your constituents could be the next ones to be abandoned. As my California colleague Congresswoman Young Kim said this week, ``fires don't discriminate,'' and she is right.

In December, when disaster aid went to victims in Republican-led States, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, and Florida, Democrats overwhelmingly voted for that aid.

Mr. Speaker, we didn't discriminate then, and we must not discriminate now during Californians time of need.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the very large number of members who have learned and become more educated on important subjects on Aspen Institute study trips for the past years, we honor the service of Carrie Rowell, who has worked with members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Capitol for the last 14 years. Carrie has worked diligently as the Conference Director for the Aspen Institute Congressional Program, a nonprofit working to bring members of Congress together with policy experts to solve the greatest challenges of our time around the world.

The Aspen Congressional Program conducts several bipartisan, bicameral conferences around the world throughout the year. Carrie, as Conference Director, has been responsible for all logistics and operations of these conferences, including monitoring late or missed flights for 65 plus conference participants, making sure site visits and educational sessions stay on time, and always personally greeting and sending members back to the United States with a smile. This stalwart programming has been instrumental in many members forming working relationships with each other that might not otherwise exist.

Before the Aspen Institute, Carrie had a distinguished career in journalism, communications, and conference operations. She was the conference coordinator of a University of Maryland journalism foundation, press secretary for former Representative for South Carolina, Butler Derrick, and media relations manager for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and First Union Corporation of South Carolina. She started her career as a political reporter for a North Carolina daily newspaper and was editor of a South Carolina weekly newspaper. A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Carrie graduated from St. Andrews University.

Carrie has led with poise, grace under pressure, and kindness for the last 14 years. She expresses these valuable traits at all times to members of Congress, her colleagues, and all those around her, whether before a 5 a.m. flight or after a long, 12-hour day.

We thank Carrie for her years of service and wish her the best in retirement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the public service of Dan McCorquodale of San Jose, California.

From 1953 to 1956, McCorquodale was a Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. After graduating from college, he served as a public school teacher in Chula Vista, California. In 1964, he became the youngest person ever elected to the City Council in Chula Vista, where he served as Mayor from 1968 to 1969.

After moving to San Jose, McCorquodale spent a year walking precincts in the third district and was elected to three terms representing north and east San Jose, a portion of the City of Santa Clara, and the cities of Milpitas and Sunnyvale. During his three terms on the Board, he distinguished himself in the issues of environmental protection, transportation, water reclamation, parks, justice, and health and human services. In 1982, McCorquodale was elected State Senator of the 12th district.

Throughout his political career, he was recognized for his effective policymaking. In 1986, he was recognized as Legislator of the Year by the California Trial Lawyers Association. In 1987, he was awarded Humanitarian of the Year by the Humane Society. In 1988, the California Planning and Conservation League named him Legislator of the Year and in 1991, the National Organization for Women recognized him as their Legislator of the Year. In 1991, the California Governor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons named him Elected Official of the Year and in 1992, he was named Legislator of the Year by the California Park and Recreation Society.

It has been my great pleasure to work with Dan throughout the years and I honor and thank him for his years in public service and wish him the best.

Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call Vote No. 465 on H.R. 8932, the FAFSA Deadline Act, I mistakenly pushed the wrong vote button. I intended to vote Aye and I support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize The First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, San Jose, for 160 years of service, fellowship, and stewardship to the community of San Jose, California.

The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Mother Church, was founded in October of 1796 in New York City, New York. Aptly named the Freedom Church, it fought for the emancipation of Africans in the United States during the institution of slavery, striving towards the dignification of enslaved persons.

The First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, San Jose was founded in San Jose, California, in 1864, establishing itself as the first Black church in the area. Following in the tradition of the Mother Church, it represents the dignity, emancipation, and civil rights of all people regardless of ethnic background in the City of San Jose.

Arguably its most impressive effort, The First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, San Jose emphasizes social justice advocacy. Throughout its extensive legacy, the Church has actively participated in social justice movements, addressing issues such as racial equality and community empowerment.

In addition to advocacy and spiritual development, The First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, San Jose has accomplished various initiatives. The Church proudly hosts numerous community outreach programs, including health fairs, food drives, educational support for local youth, among other support services for those in need.

On November 10, 2024, The First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, San Jose celebrates 160 years of accomplishments within the community of San Jose, California, and will continue to admirably exceed the needs brought forth by the community.

In closing, the 160th anniversary of The First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, San Jose reflects the perseverance, dedication, and contributions of its members, leaders, and the surrounding community. It continues to make an indelible impact in the City of San Jose, leaving a legacy that will benefit future generations. I am proud and honored to celebrate The First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, San Jose on the occasion of this impressive milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, who has dedicated her career to serving the residents of District 2 in Santa Clara County.

Supervisor Cindy Chavez represents approximately 500,000 individuals in one of the most densely populated areas of our county. Sworn into office in August 2013 after a special election, Supervisor Chavez has been re-elected twice. She has been committed and effective in her leadership.

Supervisor Cindy Chavez was a leader in the establishment of the Children's Health Initiative and helped champion efforts that resulted in the County of Santa Clara to become the first county in the nation to assure health care for every child living in the County.

Supervisor Cindy Chavez has made significant strides in ensuring that Santa Clara County remains an affordable, safe, and engaging community for all. Her leadership on the CalTrain Board of Directors has been pivotal in advancing the electrification of CalTrain and planning for a highspeed rail. A commissioner on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and a board member of the Valley Transportation Authority, she actively addresses regional transportation needs.

In 2016, she led Measure A, a landmark $950 million housing bond that has funded nearly 5,000 units of affordable housing, prioritizing vulnerable communities in Santa Clara County. Additionally, Chavez is a statewide leader, championing programs for survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking, securing a 400 percent increase in funding for essential services for survivors.

She has tirelessly worked to expand public services and create community partnerships, including the establishment of the Vietnamese American Service Center, the first of its kind in the Nation.

In closing, Supervisor Cindy Chavez exemplifies public service through her dedication to improving lives in Santa Clara County. Her innovative policies and advocacy have set a standard for community leadership, making her a vital asset to our community, addressing pressing social issues. It has been a privilege to work alongside her, and I am proud to call her my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of myself and Representatives Anna Eshoo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta to recognize Sacred Heart Community Services Agency for 60 years of working to create a community free from poverty by creating hope, opportunity, and action.

Sacred Heart Community Services Agency was founded in 1964 by Louise Benson, someone I knew as a faith-filled person who committed her time and energy to the wellbeing of the poor. Today Sacred Heart delivers essential safety net services to individuals and families in need. The organization has evolved into a respected and innovative provider of programs that assist families with achieving lifelong economic self- sufficiency and impressive grassroots organizing that addresses the root causes and consequences of poverty.

For 60 years, Sacred Heart has stood with integrity and served with compassion to empower individuals and families to reach better lives. We celebrate their many accomplishments and wish them continued success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to S. 2228 the Building Chips in America Act.

It is really unfortunate that this bill was added to the schedule at the last minute, with no consultation with the committees of jurisdiction, at least on the Minority side. Republicans promised us the most open House in history, but instead now officially preside over the most closed House in our Nation's history.

I say this, because this bill is the poster child of something that needs further review. I'll note here that this bill hasn't received a single hearing in the House of Representatives.

And this is a bad bill. This bill would eliminate NEPA environmental reviews from semiconductor projects funded under the Chips and Science Act.

This issue is personal to me. My home county, Santa Clara County, is the heart of Silicon Valley. It is also the largest collection of superfund sites in the nation. Most of those sites were tied to semiconductor or microelectronics manufacturing. While most of these toxic sites have since been remediated, the legacy of this pollution remains in the contaminated groundwater in many places in Silicon Valley.

Moreover, there was a human toll from the use of toxic chemicals in chips manufacturing. Some workers at factories developed health problems. Stillborn babies, infant deformities, and disease were also tied to exposure.

In California, we learned lessons from the past semiconductor manufacturing in Silicon Valley. We should be learning from this legacy and ensuring we don't repeat it. NEPA reviews are a vitally important tool in this regard.

When Congress passed the Chips and Science Act, we rightly decided that the trade imbalance in semiconductor manufacturing was an issue of economic and national security. As a result, we gave companies in this sector unprecedented amounts of taxpayer money. That money comes from regular people, like nurses, firefighters, custodians, and the like. We should require, at a minimum, that when we take these people's money and give it to corporations, the government will review the environmental impacts of these activities.

Furthermore, NEPA reviews provide an avenue for public participation in this process. I think we owe it to the hardworking taxpayers of America to provide them with this process.

The last thing I'll say about this is that it is unnecessary. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo herself said as much at a hearing this summer when she stated: ``[w]e are on track to complete the environmental review for all these companies before we issue the award.'' The NEPA process is not slowing down the Chips awards.

So, I am deeply disappointed we are here today considering this ill- advised and unnecessary legislation. There really is no good reason anyone should support this bill. I urge my colleagues to vote against

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the ANCHOR Act and yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. Academic Research Fleet is made up of an impressive array of marine research assets consisting of large and small oceanographic vessels, sophisticated submersibles, and high-tech autonomous vehicles.

More impressive is the invaluable research conducted by this fleet. It supports critical ocean environmental science that leads to a deeper understanding of our Earth system, improved and continuous assessments of our Nation's marine natural resources, and serves national security interests as well.

This diverse fleet is managed and operated by a diverse group that includes NSF, the Office of Naval Research, Federal research labs, and U.S. universities. These various entities bring with them assorted cyber infrastructure and networking challenges and vulnerabilities as well. This technological struggle has had real detrimental impacts, has hindered the production of needed scientific outputs,

and has placed important expensive projects at risk.

This legislation directs NSF to collaborate with other appropriate agencies and ARF operators on the creation of a networking and cybersecurity improvement plan that could address these challenges by assessing equipment and personnel costs and time requirements for upgrading the fleet and developing a proposal for funding these upgrades.

The Senate companion to this bill, led by California's own Senators Padilla and Sullivan, recently passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee, so we have a real opportunity to get this bill passed and begin the process of closing this unfortunate gap so that the science gets done.

I thank the bill's sponsors, Mr. Mike Garcia and Ms. Stevens, for their work on the ANCHOR Act. I thank the chairman for his continuing bipartisanship on the committee.

We have made tremendous progress this year. I urge everyone to join me in supporting the act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act.

As has been mentioned, a majority of the Nation's pipeline system is more than 60 years old. With this magnitude of aging pipelines operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it is inevitable that without new inspection and leak detection technologies, catastrophic defects and anomalies will occur more frequently.

Too often we are confronted with news of pipeline failures that cause mass casualties, environmental disasters, damage property, and service interruptions for thousands. There is much that industry can do to secure their assets while contributing to the development of next generation pipelines.

H.R. 7073 seeks to prevent future infrastructure failure and improve pipeline safety and technology through innovation. This bill will improve the work of the DOE and the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration by establishing a demonstration initiative that will help lab-scale, basic research overcome the ``valley of death'' and achieve commercial deployment. DOE, DOT, and NIST will also be empowered to work together in a joint pipeline research program.

Finally, it directs DOE to establish a national pipeline modernization center, a place for industry and Federal agencies to collaborate on pipeline research and development.

What we have in front of us is much-needed harm reduction legislation. I extend my congratulations to Mr. Weber and Dr. Caraveo and my appreciation for their hard work on this legislation. It is a good bill. I support it, and I encourage others, as well, to support it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate, indeed, to have Dr. Caraveo as a Member of our House with her keen intellect and pragmatic approach to solving America's problems.

I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. Caraveo).

Mr. Speaker, I urge that we support and enact this good bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I rise in support of the Innovative Mitigation Partnerships for Asphalt and Concrete Technologies Act, otherwise known as the IMPACT Act.

Mr. Speaker, at the Science Committee, we look to address problems beyond the conventional approaches, and we take a broad, long-term perspective. For example, we look for greenhouse gas emissions beyond the smokestack and tailpipe in order to have a holistic image of the climate change challenge we face. The bill before us today seeks to address an often overlooked contributor to carbon dioxide emissions.

Globally, cement facilities account for 8 percent of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, which is about the same amount as one-third of all power plant emissions, really a stunning source of this pollution. The projected demand for cement is expected to increase substantially. To address the challenge, there is a need for Federal investment in next-generation cement, concrete, and asphalt emission reduction technologies.

The IMPACT Act establishes a dedicated program and directs DOE to develop tools, technologies, and methods for the manufacture of low- emission cement, concrete, and asphalt, using both advanced and currently commercially available production processes.

It also authorizes DOE to provide technical assistance to eligible entities in order to increase the efficiency of current production processes, active engagement that will help the industry adapt and innovate.

Now, in order to carry out this ambitious mission, the Secretary is directed to focus on a range of key technology areas, including carbon capture, resource efficiency, and high-performance computing.

This is actually an exciting bill, and it has potential to strengthen and enhance the competitiveness of American manufacturing while at the same time reducing a major greenhouse gas contributor.

I thank Representative Miller and Representative Foushee on their impressive legislation. I hope that all of us will support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, we are fortunate that Representative Foushee is a Member of this body and a member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. She is a new Member to Congress, but she is an experienced legislator, and I think that background allows her to successfully craft complex but practical and important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Mrs. Foushee).

Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests, so I am happy to urge all Members to vote for the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, this bill is an important one, the Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act, represented by two really impressive Members of Congress, Ms. Houlahan and Dr. Baird.

This bill would direct the National Science Foundation to invest in K-12 education research and development, with a focus on mathematical modeling.

This bill would help modernize STEM education by supporting the creation of advanced curricula that cover mathematical and statistical modeling, including computational and data-driven thinking.

This is the kind of education our students deserve and what they need for today's society and its technological and data-driven demands.

Members and staff have worked really hard to accommodate many desired changes to this bill, and I believe it is in a state now that should satisfy just about everyone. It has support from the premier educational, statistical, and mathematical organizations in the United States. The Senate companion bill is in a similar good place. It is time for this bill to become law.

This is an important bill that will better prepare our students for careers in STEM, and I hope all of us will join together and support this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to serve in the Congress with Congresswoman Houlahan, who has such a spectacular background in science. She is an engineer, former business executive, former teacher, former nonprofit executive, and an Air Force vet. She has it all. Working with Dr. Baird, she put together this bill that is so important.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan).

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional requests for time. I would just like to once again thank Congresswoman Houlahan, Dr. Baird, and I also thank the chairman. We have had a great run here in the Science Committee this evening with these terrific bills, which I urge all Members to support.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the incredible service of my dear friend and 16-term Congresswoman from California, Representative Anna Eshoo. Anna has served the people of San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties with great distinction for over three decades. She's hardworking, meticulous, and demanding of herself. In sum, Anna Eshoo is the kind of person every Member of Congress should be like. She has built a legacy of fighting for her constituents, and her leadership in Congress will be greatly missed upon her retirement.

First elected to Congress in 1992--dubbed ``the Year of the Woman''-- Anna was the first Democrat and first woman in the history of the then- 14th Congressional District to win the Silicon Valley seat. In Congress, Anna has been a health care pioneer, a champion for innovation, a human rights and consumer advocate, a staunch proponent of clean energy, and a defender of women's reproductive rights. A prolific legislator, over 60 of Anna's bills have been signed into law by five presidents.

Anna has served on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee since 1995. In 2019, she became the first woman to serve as Chair of the Health Subcommittee. Anna helped draft portions of the groundbreaking Affordable Care Act, oversaw the largest overhaul of Medicare since its inception, and wrote landmark bipartisan legislation to promote the development of new lifesaving cures. Anna also broke the glass ceiling as the first female Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, where she has championed a free and open internet, removed barriers to entry in the telecommunications market, and helped deploy broadband to underserved communities.

I know Anna is grateful to her dedicated staff in both California and Washington, D.C. for the countless achievements they have secured for constituents over the years, and for the support of her children and granddaughter. I thank them for their years of service and sacrifice. I congratulate my good friend and colleague on a well-deserved retirement and wish her the very best in her next chapter in life.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on behalf of myself and Representatives Anna

Eshoo, Ro Khanna, and Jimmy Panetta to recognize the accomplishments of Teatro Vision for 40 years of community building and social justice work in San Jose, CA.

Teatro Vision was founded in 1984 in San Jose, California, with the mission of inspiring the people of Santa Clara County and surrounding areas. The theater was co-founded by Elisa Marina Alvarado, who is a director, actress, and dancer. Through Teatro Vision, Elisa Marina Alvarado established Instituto de Teatro, an educational program that teaches comprehensive training in theater for Latino communities.

For the last 40 years, Teatro Vision has produced and presented projects that have been made accessible to the entire community, emphasizing activist theater and focusing on Latino and Chicano communities, integrating Latin American cultures. Teatro Vision's recent projects include ``Miss You Like Hell,'' ``Luz: A Shadow Play Inspired by Senior Stories,'' and ``Raices, El Libro de los Caminos,'' performed at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose.

Teatro Vision's work is centered in the Mayfair neighborhood located in East San Jose where their main stage, the Mexican Heritage Plaza, is also situated. Over 77 percent of the Mayfair neighborhood is made up of Latinx; 66 percent of which speak Spanish at home. Teatro Vision's programs give accessibility to Title I schools in Mayfair, where many students come from economically disadvantaged households.

Teatro Vision has shared powerful stories and convictions that speak to the courage, compassion, and power of many minority communities. The team at Teatro Vision are strong leaders that our community needs now and in the future.