Alma Adams

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert my statement in the Record that the House should vote for bigger paychecks and better infrastructure instead of attacking women's access to health care.

Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, absolutely outrageous, that is what Republicans' attempt to repeal Roe v. Wade on its 42nd anniversary is, absolutely outrageous. A blatant attack on women and their families, their first attempt, H.R. 36, failed because women of both parties spoke out to let our male Republican colleagues know they have gone too far. The women of this House know that a woman cannot call herself free who does not own or control her own body. We are free, Madam Speaker. Here we go again, H.R. 7, another attempt to attack women's rights. It especially impacts women of color--not on my watch. Women of the House, let's do it again. Let's prevent this legislation from moving forward, and let's vote ``no.''

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today against H.R. 36, a bold attack on reproductive freedom. While in the North Carolina House, I fought tirelessly for women's reproductive choice. As the 100th woman in Congress, I will do the same in the U.S. House. The fight begins with speaking against this unconscionable bill. Mr. Franks, women's health decisions are personal. They should be between a woman, her family, and her doctor--not the North Carolina House and not the U.S. House. H.R. 36 would add barriers for women who often face complicated, heart-breaking circumstances. I join other women who adamantly oppose this bill, including many of my Republican colleagues. Today, I stand with Senators, Representatives, and NARAL activists in delivering 150,000 American signatures opposing this bill. I respectfully urge my colleagues not to support this legislation. A woman cannot call herself free who does not own or control her own body.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my Republican colleagues to stop toying with our Nation's security. Disrupting funding to the Department of Homeland Security is an extreme and reckless form of partisan politics. Even Senate Republicans have expressed concern over the tactics used by their House colleagues. Defunding key security infrastructure is unacceptable. Republican Senator Mark Kirk said it best: cooler heads must prevail, and we must defend critical security infrastructure. In recent days both France and Nigeria experienced tragic terrorist attacks. These attacks highlight the threat here at home. Now is not the time to weaken our defenses. Mr. Speaker, shutting down any government agency is irresponsible. House Republicans should have learned their lesson in 2013. When will they stop the partisan politics and start legislating?

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I come to the floor of the U.S. House today to pay tribute to the memory of Shanda LaVie McAllister, a native North Carolinian, admired daughter, sister, and friend who departed this life suddenly on December 12, 2014, in Cumberland County, where she lived and worked as a teacher. Shanda was an outstanding educator of more than 20 years, a well- respected advocate for children, a leader in her church and community, and someone who valued all people. Genuinely concerned for the welfare of each student, she truly believed that if given the opportunity and resources, every child could succeed. She had a good heart, glowing personality, and she left an indelible impression on her community and her State. For her many tireless efforts on behalf of children, I join with her parents, Freddie and former State Representative Mary McAllister, and all the citizens of our State in honoring Shanda's memory and her legacy.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and colleague, a distinguished congresswoman with a sweet name, Marcia Fudge, as her tenure as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus ends. First of all, I want to thank Marcia Fudge for welcoming me to Capitol Hill, for being such a good friend and mentor. In my short time in Congress, she has been an invaluable resource to me, and I truly appreciate that. As a servant of the people, I have long admired her as a woman for not just talking the talk, but for walking it, too. Secondly, I want to thank Marcia Fudge for her phenomenal leadership. She has successfully guided the Congressional Black Caucus in promoting some of the most pressing issues and concerns of the people in our communities. She has been the collective voice of the caucus, bringing light to necessary issues of social and economic justice. As we have seen with the recent events in the Michael Brown and Eric Garner cases, it is absolutely critical that we have a strong and collective voice to shed light on these injustices and to make positive change in our communities. She has certainly put the caucus on a solid foundation, which I know my North Carolina colleague, G.K. Butterfield, will continue. On behalf of the residents of North Carolina's 12th Congressional District, I salute Congresswoman Marcia Fudge on her great leadership as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and I say, ``Thank you, thank you, thank you.''

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Affordable Care Act. One year after implementing the health care exchanges, the number of uninsured in this country has decreased dramatically. North Carolina had one of the top five highest enrollments; and in my congressional district alone, the number of uninsured has declined by 14 percent, not to mention the incredible impact this legislation has had on the lives of working families. Through the Affordable Care Act, 208,000 individuals in my congressional district now have access to health insurance. Young adults and college students can now stay on their parents' plans until age 26, which resulted in nearly 10,000 young adults retaining health insurance in my congressional district. Additionally, seniors in my district have received Medicare part D prescription drug discounts worth $11.1 million, and being a woman is no longer considered a preexisting condition. The Affordable Care Act has had a dramatic effect on unemployment, creating 9.6 million private sector jobs. My congressional district's unemployment rate is 13.9 percent. So, for me, this is not only about health, but jobs and our economy. These tangible benefits cannot be ignored. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to end talks of repeal and, instead, work with Democrats to strengthen the law to provide even greater access to health insurance. States like North Carolina must reconsider their decision to reject the Medicaid expansion. This purely political decision has had real effects, leaving half a million North Carolinians uninsured. As legislators, we should make the lives of our constituents better; and, Mr. Speaker, the Affordable Care Act is making the lives of our citizens better. So I urge folks in my congressional district and around the country to take advantage of the open enrollment period and get insured. There are 77 new insurers offering coverage in 2015, and the deadline to sign up is February 15, 2015. Let's continue the progress that the Affordable Care Act has made and get more people covered.

Ms. ADAMS

Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Coble, Congressman Price. As we all know, the journey to Congress is not made alone, and I could not have made it here without my faith, my family, and my friends. So I want to take a moment to give special thanks to my mother who could not be here today; to my children, Billy, Jeanele; and my son-in- law, Ty; to my four grandchildren, one who is on the floor with me tonight; to my siblings; and to everyone who made the trip to share in this momentous occasion with me. I stand here on the shoulders of the fearless women who shattered the glass ceiling by coming to Congress and representing our country with pride, tenacity, and integrity. It is with great honor that I stand before you tonight as the 100th woman in the 113th Congress. The women who have served before me have proven that when women succeed, we all succeed. As I traveled across the 12th Congressional District, I heard the calls for us to work together, to create jobs, invest in education, and to be a voice for the working men and women struggling to make ends meet. I am answering their calls by pledging to work with the Members of the North Carolina delegation and each and every Member of this Chamber. To the people of the 12th Congressional District, 10 months of no representation stops now. I am here, and I am rolling up my sleeves, and I am getting to work.