Pete Aguilar

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I wasn't present for Roll Call No. 345 on agreeing to the amendment introduced by Rep. Joe Neguse on H.R. 7900. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 345 on H.R. 7900.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, by direction of the Democratic Caucus, I offer a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Massachusetts for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rules package which was written behind closed doors. What we are voting on this evening is nothing short of a complete surrender to the demands of the most extreme Republicans on the other side of the aisle. Rather than taking this opportunity to bring us together, the adoption of this rules package sets us on a path of division and default. The extremists plan to use these rules to hold the economy hostage in order to enact more cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Mr. Speaker, last week our Nation saw the lowest unemployment in 50 years, a testament to the leadership of President Biden and House Democrats. Yet, it is clear that the new majority is determined to undermine that economic recovery at every turn. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Clerk, I rise again to nominate Hakeem Jeffries for Speaker of the House. Madam Clerk, I thank my colleague on the other side of the aisle for sharing his American Dream story and to his family for being with him at his side. It is our hope that this Chamber gets down to the business so he and all the new Members in this Chamber can be sworn in to do the work of the people. That is why House Democrats stand united, again, on this ballot to make sure that Hakeem Jeffries is the lead vote-getter in this Chamber. It is also why it is important, just as I relayed a few days ago, Madam Clerk, the importance of the character of Hakeem Jeffries, who he is, his story, and why he should be given an opportunity to lead this Chamber. In New York, after the fifth grade, you can't get on a bus to go to school anymore. You have to take alternate means. You can walk or you can take a train. In sixth grade, Hakeem and his brother would walk to the train station, take the train, get off the train, and walk to school. Now, there is a little disagreement in the Jeffries' household as to how many days his father took him on that route before he let him navigate that route with his younger brother. The character it takes for an older brother in sixth grade and his fourth-grade little brother to go to school each and every day in New York, to be on their own, to handle themselves and to handle each other, that is the character of this man. That is the character of a leader you want in this Chamber. He is going to be the one who walks with you, who sees you through the day, who makes sure your priorities are his priorities. And at the end of the day, when it is just you and he, he is going to make sure we all do the business of this body, and we all get home for our families. There is nothing more important than the work that we do in this Chamber for the American people: safeguarding priorities like Social Security and Medicare; making sure that our families are taken care of; making sure that the families in our communities are taken care of. What we have seen in this Chamber is tough. It is tough to watch. It is tough to imagine what would happen in this Chamber today if we were debating Social Security and Medicare. What would happen? What would the votes be? Where would people stand? That is why it is important that Hakeem Jeffries leads this body. On behalf of the Democratic Caucus, I am nominating the leader of the governing party in this Chamber, Hakeem Jeffries from New York.

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Clerk, I rise to nominate Hakeem Jeffries of New York for Speaker of this House. Madam Clerk, I speak on behalf of the Democratic Caucus when I say that there is no victory in adjourning without doing the business of the people. Madam Clerk, House Democrats are united behind a champion of expanding and protecting the right to vote. Since the beginning of 2021, 21 State legislatures have passed 42 restrictive voting laws. Hakeem has stood up against voter suppression in the new Jim Crow era every step of the way. As we begin a new Congress, we need a leader who believes in strengthening democracy, who understands that to cast a vote is a sacred responsibility that should be afforded to the many, not the privileged or the select few. Hakeem understands that in order for us to be a more perfect Union, we can't deny the voices of individuals in the democratic process. Madam Clerk, today, we affirm our support of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Madam Clerk, that is why I am directed by the Democratic Caucus to advance the name of Hakeem Jeffries from New York as Speaker.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Clerk, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk a resolution and ask unanimous consent for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, I thank Chair Lofgren and the vice chair of the January 6 Select Committee, my colleague from Wyoming, Liz Cheney, for their leadership in bringing this bill to us. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 8873, the bipartisan Presidential Election Reform Act. This bill makes important changes to the laws that govern the cornerstone of our democracy, a peaceful transfer of power. These changes benefit no political party, and they do not give political advantage to any particular candidate. This bill simply protects the rule of law from those who would seek to upend it. Our Republican colleagues who are opposed to this legislation, once again find themselves on the side of violent extremists. Madam Speaker, after what we saw on January 6 and what the Select Committee has demonstrated, that those seeking to overturn the election were exploiting the vulnerabilities in the law this bill remedies, I am not sure how anyone could oppose this piece of legislation. The choice before this body is clear: Protect the rule of law, strengthen the Constitution, and vote against insurrection. Madam Speaker, I urge an ``aye'' vote.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 5916, the Wounded Warrior Access Act. When veterans file claims to the VA, they are given what is called a c-file. My office has heard from countless numbers of veterans who have had trouble accessing these c-files through the VA's outdated and antiquated system. Our veterans need these files in order to access benefits that they have earned or appeal the VA's decisions about their claims. That is why, Mr. Speaker, this legislation is so important. The veterans in the Inland Empire and across this country need an easy way to access their information without jumping through these hoops. My bill is a commonsense solution that updates an antiquated system. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Takano and members of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee for their leadership in bringing this bill to the floor, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``aye'' on H.R. 5916.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor one of California's favorite adopted Iowans. Bob Arnould, a former Speaker of the Iowa House of Representatives and fierce advocate for not-for-profit credit unions, has officially retired from his role as a Chief Advocate for his industry. I've had the pleasure of working with Bob and rise to honor both a good friend and a visionary leader. Bob started at the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues as the Director of State Government Affairs. His team was responsible for all credit union advocacy measures in the world's fifth-largest economy at a time when the state was shifting politically, and the financial services sector was under the microscope for every act of lending. Credit union advocacy was still new to the Legislature and Bob made it his mission to develop long lasting relationships with the state's leaders. This is where Bob grew the advocacy program from an organizational standpoint, which has changed California and Nevada credit unions, as well as the lives of their leaders and members. As he advanced to Vice President and eventually Senior Vice President of Advocacy, Bob expanded the three-person office to a full team devoted to advocacy's ``three-legged stool'' as he calls it: lobbying, political action and grassroots engagement. He developed and fostered a team that would go on to become a force in Sacramento and Carson City. Legislators, some of them my colleagues now, knew that when credit unions walked in the door, they could not be an afterthought. Before coming to the Leagues, Bob was the Speaker of the Iowa State Assembly. For 20 years before that, he worked his way up from rank-and- file Assemblyman, through committee chairs and party leaders, to a political career eventually culminating in the Speakership. He worked in the Iowa Caucuses and ran campaigns from his young 20's, until he came to California and the Leagues in the late '90s. To earn this level of trust among the Iowa community, he had to demonstrate a level of community devotion and something else rarely found in politicians: humility. Those who know and work with Bob to this day know that he embodies this. Encapsulating Bob's leadership throughout the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues is not an easy task. He is a visionary leader, honest and decent person, but I'm proud to know him most as a good friend. His entire career has been dedicated to one mission statement, it's less about you, and all about them: the community, the people, everyone. Bob makes it 100 percent about you. Rarely has there been a leader with such humility who recognizes that all great leaders give away their credit to allow others to rise. That is how he has accomplished so much. Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring Speaker Bob Arnould.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing. Mr. Speaker, this bill does not impose new regulations. These are existing tools that the FBI and the DOD already use. What this bill seeks to do--this is about protecting the integrity of our Armed Forces and making sure that extremists don't become enlisted individuals. This is about protecting the service. I appreciate the ranking member's comments, but this is about ensuring accountability. This is about ensuring congressional oversight, ensuring that we protect and prepare the individuals who are entrusted to serve this country. As a coequal branch, it is important for Congress to remain informed on the Department's actions, and this is not a unique step to conduct this type of oversight. Mr. Speaker, I would urge an ``aye'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer this amendment. In the fiscal year 2020 NDAA, I first requested a study from the Department of Defense on how the Department can best screen and prevent extremists from enlisting in our military using existing FBI and DOJ resources. The resulting report, published in October of 2020, found that white nationalists and domestic extremists target servicemembers as ``prized recruits,'' their words, for their groups, and shared accounts of servicemembers with active ties to these organizations. The report also included a list of seven recommendations on steps the Department can take to prevent domestic extremists from enlisting in the military. Under the leadership of Secretary Austin, the Department has taken additional steps to combat extremism in the military. This included a 60-day stand-down and the creation of the Countering Extremist Activity Working Group to better understand the threat and offer six additional recommendations. My amendment supports the Department's efforts to counter domestic extremism. It simply requests a formal update from the Department on the steps it has taken to complete the recommendations from the October 2020 report, and it directs the Department to complete the recommendations from the December 2021 report within 6 months of enactment of this bill. This bill does not impose new requirements on the Department but ensures Congressional oversight of tackling the critical issue for our national security. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2543 and thank Chairwoman Waters for assembling this legislation. I would like to highlight a critical provision of the bill, the Expanding Financial Access for Underserved Communities Act. As a former employee of a credit union, I understand that joining a credit union can provide Americans with invaluable financial opportunities. However, unlike other depository institutions and financial services providers, not everyone in America can join a credit union. The Chairwoman's bill, and this package, help to mitigate that issue by allowing federally chartered credit unions the opportunity to apply to provide services for low-income, underserved and rural communities, where financial services are unfortunately limited to a payday lender or pawnshop. Nothing in this bill precludes any other financial services provider from serving these communities, and credit unions should not be restricted either. I have seen firsthand the affordable and dependable services credit unions provide, and how they exist to change the lives of their members. Let us continue to work together to bring more common-sense solutions to America's unbanked.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 10th anniversary of the DACA program on June 15, 2022. In the last decade, this program has allowed young Americans to pursue the American Dream in the only country they know to be their home. They have been able to live without fear of being separated from their families and have been able to pursue higher education and their dream jobs. They are our friends, our family members, trusted community leaders, coworkers, and fellow Americans in every way but on a piece of paper. Madam Speaker, we need to do more. Since I have been in Congress, I have been proud to support the DACA recipients, including through introducing legislation to give them a pathway to citizenship and advocating for DACA recipients to work in Congress and across the Federal Government. I am proud to work with my colleagues in the Hispanic Caucus to fight for immigrant communities and to urge the U.S. Senate to take up measures that the House has passed time and time again.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, I thank the vice chair for yielding time. Madam Speaker, we have been entrusted by the American people to investigate the attempt to overturn a free and fair election. That attempt to subvert the will of the American people resulted in a deadly attack on the people in this building. But it was bigger than just 1 day of violence and destruction that resulted in the deaths of U.S. Capitol Police officers. For weeks, various schemes were hatched by individuals, ranging from State legislators to the former President's senior aides to Members of Congress, with a singular objective: Keep Donald Trump in office. These are the facts, Madam Speaker, facts that were backed up last week by a Federal judge, who, after reviewing some of the evidence our committee has in its possession, said, in part, ``The illegality of the plan was obvious.'' We are here today to hold two individuals involved, Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino, in contempt of Congress. Peter Navarro has failed to comply with our investigation in any way despite the fact that he has given multiple TV interviews. In fact, Mr. Navarro appeared on television in support of the former President's failed reelection efforts, so much so that he was found to have repeatedly violated the Hatch Act. But his political work did not stop when the election was over. We know Mr. Navarro led a call with State legislators about the efforts to convince Vice President Pence to delay election certification for 10 days. We know Mr. Navarro spoke to Steve Bannon, both during and after the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Mr. Navarro has publicly stated that he is protected by executive privilege, but he has never sought counsel, as others have, and he has not filed any case seeking relief from his responsibilities to comply with our lawful subpoena. This is a textbook case for contempt, Madam Speaker. While I am not surprised by some of my colleagues who refuse to pull their heads out of the sand and face the facts of what really happened and continues to happen, I remain deeply concerned about what this country looks like if the perpetrators aren't held accountable. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1037.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to follow the words of my good friend, Dr. Raul Ruiz, as we honor this towering figure from our region, the Inland Empire. For more than 50 years, Dr. Rivera served our community as an educator, administrator, and community leader. His passing in March was felt by all of us, and it left too large of a void for just one of us to fill. Back in 1985, our region suffered. More than half of the Latino students in our region didn't finish high school. While others ignored the problem, Dr. Tom rolled up his sleeves as an elected school board member, as a lifelong educator. He joined with community leaders to form the Inland Empire Future Leaders Program to help these students stay in school. As a result, more than 99 percent of the students who go through this program have graduated high school. Ninety percent have gone to college. Dr. Tom's positive influence, his beliefs in what we could become if given the opportunity, helped shape doctors, lawyers, teachers, and, yes, a couple Members of Congress. Dr. Tom gave working-class kids like me a chance for a better life, for ourselves and for our family, and he taught us that no matter where life takes us, never lose sight of our heritage and our culture, and always give back to our community. It is a testament to his unwavering faith in our young people that Dr. Raul Ruiz and I are standing on the House floor today. I was proud to call Dr. Tom a mentor, a friend, and importantly, a constituent. He would always ask me how my grandmother was doing. He went to school on the south side of Colton with members of my family, and he always took the time to ask how they were doing, what they were up to, how he could help them. My thoughts go out to his wife, Dr. Lily Rivera, his children, and grandchildren. Madam Speaker, now it is our responsibility, those of us in roles of making policy, those of us in our communities who strive to make our community a better place, it is up to us to carry his legacy forward and to lift up the next generation of Latino leaders.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from New Jersey for yielding some time. I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1540, the REPORT Act. I first introduced the bill, as my colleague mentioned, after the 2015 attack in San Bernardino, a community that I have been proud to represent. This attack tragically took the lives of 14 people and wounded 22. If not for the work of our first responders, more innocent lives would have been lost that day. The REPORT Act would ensure that lawmakers and law enforcement agencies are better prepared to detect, prevent, and respond to future incidents of terrorism. If enacted, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with the Attorney General and the FBI, would submit this unclassified report to Congress whenever an act of domestic terrorism occurs in the United States. By requiring the executive branch to share their findings with Congress, we, as representatives of our local communities, can act on the recommendations for changes and practices or law to prevent attacks and to protect all communities. I appreciate my colleague from Texas talking about other incidents, and we know that incidents of mass violence continue to happen across our country, including the moment of silence that we had on the floor last evening. If we can work together to prevent one such incident from taking place, Mr. Speaker, if both parties can unite to save one innocent life, this legislation will have been a success. I appreciate the Homeland Security Committee staff for working to get this done, and my colleague from Texas and my colleague from New Jersey for leading this effort. I ask my colleagues for an ``aye'' vote.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Mr. AGUILAR

Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the following letters of support for the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5746. American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, January 13, 2022. Dear Representative: On behalf of the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE) which represents over 700,000 federal and District of Columbia employees I write to urge you to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act which combines key provisions of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It is crucial for Congress to restore key provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act that were wrongly invalidated by the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision Shelby County v. Holder. These provisions are critical to prevent state and local governments from passing laws discriminating against voters due to their race, ethnicity, or similar factors. Shelby County v. Holder struck the preclearance provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, allowing states to implement voting restrictions such as onerous identification requirements, purged voter rolls, elimination of same day voting registration, and limitations of early voting. The fundamental right of all citizens to vote and participate in the elections process is key to our functioning democracy. Public servants defend and advance this right every day through their work protecting our environment, caring for veterans, and safeguarding our country. Voting rights restrictions have a direct impact on federal workers. A 2010 article in the Social Sciences Quarterly stated that public sector voting turnout was two to three percent higher than private sector union households. Voters who favor a strong federal government and recognize the contributions of the federal workforce are more likely to show that support when they cast a ballot. AFGE is a full and active partner in the traditional alliance between the civil rights and workers' rights movement. As such we are actively engaged in efforts to protect the right to vote and to have all votes counted, in protection against discrimination in the workplace, and enforcement of justice everywhere. The preclearance section of the Voting Rights Act blocked discriminatory voting changes before implementation. Fifty- three percent of the states covered by the preclearance requirements imposed because of past discrimination had passed or implemented voting restrictions that disenfranchised tens of thousands of voters. Immediately following the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder, striking the preclearance provision of the Voting Rights Act, states previously subject to preclearance (Texas, Alabama, and North Carolina) implemented restrictive identification requirements, purged voter rolls, eliminated same day voting registration and limited early voting. AFGE opposes denying the ballot to any eligible voter. Voting rights restrictions have a direct impact on federal workers. Statistics from the American National Election Studies indicate that union household turnout is 5.7 percent higher than that of nonunion households, and as noted above, public employees vote in greater numbers. Voters who favor a strong federal government and recognize the contributions of the federal workforce are more likely to show that support when they cast a ballot. Allowing new voting restrictions by states trying to limit legitimate voters from exercising their rights affect federal employees. These new limitations cloaked in unsubstantiated claims of ``ballot protection'' include limiting polling places and locations for casting early ballots, banning provision of drinking water to voters waiting in line and imposing onerous restrictions on absentee voting. Federal workers report for duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They count on utilizing voting options to exercise their patriotic right to vote. AFGE calls on the House to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act. For questions, please contact Fiona Kohrman. Sincerely, Everett B. Kelley, National President.

Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, legislation that would protect the right to vote and strengthen our democracy. This week we heard President Biden, traveling to the home of our late colleague, John Lewis, rally the Nation around the need to protect and expand the right to vote. Today, we will pass this legislation in honor of John's name. But in order to honor our colleague, we must make good on our commitment. We must pass this legislation in both Chambers without delay. We must also make clear, as President Biden did this week, that there is nothing more important--no rules or procedures--than the health of our democracy. There is far too much at stake to let tradition get in the way of real progress. I know from my work on the committee and the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol that the concerns about the future of the American system--the consent of the governed--are well-founded. Mr. Speaker, every Member of this body has a choice today, and the world will remember where we stood. I am proud to stand on the side of democracy, on the side of making it easier to vote--not more difficult--and on the side of the people because the American people are with us. This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and pass this legislation.