Corrine Brown

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today on the House floor, instead of putting an end to the damaging Republican government shutdown by passing a clean funding compromise passed by the Senate, the House Republican leadership has chosen to take a different path to vote on more political ploys. They are doing this by continuing to offer mini- versions of appropriations bills in a cynical effort to give themselves political cover for causing this shutdown in the first place. These bills are political gimmicks, not a responsible approach to governing. Republicans have shut down the government and are damaging our economy and the middle class. And today the House is considering the following five GOP piecemeal bills, which only fund selected pieces of the government--National Institutes of Health, local funds for the D.C., the National Parks, certain funding for Reserve/Guard, and part of the VA. Like my colleagues in the Democratic Caucus, I wholeheartedly support veterans, our National Guard and Reserve, the District of Columbia, important medical research, and our national parks. However, these bills leave out many of the crucial services relied on by the American people such as Head Start programs, veterans' cemeteries, small business loans, education for our children, equipping and training our troops, building housing for military families, getting decisions on veterans disability claims, among many others. Instead of opening up a few government functions, the House of Representatives should re-open the entire government. The harmful impacts of a shutdown extend across government, affecting services that are critical to small businesses, women, children, seniors, and others across the Nation. The American people have seen enough, and the time has come for Republicans to abandon their reckless and irresponsible agenda and join Democrats to honor America's commitments to provide vital services our citizens pay for with their hard earned tax dollars. I urge Speaker Boehner, Leader Cantor, and the Republican Party to end its shutdown by working with Democrats to pass a clean funding bill and end this charade immediately.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this is a real sad day in the House of Representatives. You know, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time. What happened tonight is the Republican-controlled extremists--bullies or hostage-takers--took the American Government and our economy hostage to their demands. This is a shameful day. This Congress makes the Gingrich Congress look like moderates. The Republican Party has shut down the United States Government because they don't want the American people to have affordable health care. Shame on the Republican Party. Shame on you. Mr. Speaker, you can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.The American people know that there is a small minority who are controlling the Republican Party in the House, and they are acting like bullies . . . or rather hostage takers. Taking the American government and our economy hostage to demands that will not be met. Shame, shame, shame on the Republicans. Here we go again: I have been in office for over 20 years and this is the worst, the most extreme Congress I have ever worked with. Today's Republican Party make the Gingrich era members in the mid 1990's look like moderates. The Republican Party has shut down the government because they don't like the idea of providing health insurance to ALL Americans. And remember: The Affordable Care Act passed both chambers of the United States Congress, was signed into law by the President of the United States, was upheld by the United States Supreme Court, and received a stamp of approval by the American public when they voted to re-elect President Obama. It is now time for House Republicans to accept the ACA and assist their constituents to receive the many heath care benefits that Obamacare offers. On this day, the President helped move the country forward with open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, and the GOP moved the country backwards by shutting down the government. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to try and act like grown-ups so we can all work together to pass a Continuing Resolution to keep our government open to provide the services that our citizens pay for and deserve.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in complete disgust and opposition to the House Republicans misguided plan to shutdown the government. As the current continuing resolution is set to expire on Monday at midnight, the sad truth remains that Speaker Boehner has surrendered the gavel to the Tea Party's hopeless attempts to defund or delay the Affordable Care Act. With the Affordable Care Act, passing both chambers of the United States Congress, being signed into law by the President of the United States, upheld by the United States Supreme Court, and securing the approval of the American people during the last election, it is now time for House Republicans to accept reality and discontinue their obstructionist tactics of trying to prevent a law that is beneficial for millions of Americans across this country. As House Republicans continue to use the Affordable Care Act as the hostage that will trigger a government shutdown, the fact remains that even if the government shuts down, the Affordable Care Act will continue to be implemented with the health insurance exchanges opening on Tuesday, October 1, 2013. Earlier this week, the Senate passed legislation that will keep the government funded and prevent a government shutdown, if the Republican leadership was serious about keeping its commitment to the American people, the House should immediately schedule a vote on the legislation passed in the Senate. The American people have seen enough. The time has come for Republicans to abandon their reckless and irresponsible agenda and in Democrats to honor America's commitments, create jobs, and strengthen the middle class.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 1412, as amended, the Department of Veterans Affairs Expired Authorities Act of 2013. VA would lose the authority to continue a number of critical programs that, without action, would expire next week. These programs assist our most vulnerable veterans reintegrating back into society and into their communities. With this legislation, wrap-around services for homeless veterans and their families would be authorized to continue. Services such as counseling, job training, job referrals, financial assistance, case management, housing, and the special needs for the frail, elderly, and seriously mentally ill veterans will continue. We listened to veterans when they told us that they were busy with jobs, school, and families and, as a result, found it difficult to get the health care they needed without childcare assistance. This measure extended for 1 year VA's authority to provide childcare assistance for certain veterans receiving intensive health care services. This bill would extend the authority to provide a monthly assistance allowance to veterans with disabilities who are invited by the U.S. Olympic Committee to participate on the U.S. Paralympics team. More than 14,000 veterans with disabilities have benefited from these activities. The results for these veteran athletes have been astonishing both in terms of athletic accomplishment and personal accomplishment. This bill extends eligibility for specially adapted housing for our most disabled veterans. It would allow them to live more independently in their daily lives. Mr. Speaker, I believe we have a moral obligation to ensure that we do what needs to be done to help those who have worn the uniform receive the benefits and services they have earned. These extensions of critical programs we are considering today will help us do all we can. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1412, as amended. I want to thank Chairman Miller for working in a very bipartisan way for veterans. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the constituents of the Fifth Congressional District of Florida, it gives me great pleasure to stand with the multitude of well-wishers and admirers of this great leader, humanitarian and my friend, Dr. Helen Jackson. We gather to acknowledge the breadth and depth of her leadership and guidance on the occasion of her retirement after 39 years of faithful service within the Florida Department of Health, Detroit Department of Health and many other healthcare related fields. Since 1990, Helen served as Director of Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention Services for the Duval County Health Department and held many positions of leadership within the healthcare community that includes the State of Florida. Dr. Jackson has served the people of Jacksonville, Northeast Florida, the Duval County Health Department and a host of other endeavors with pride, determination and personal professionalism. She has been that familiar and friendly face and voice, many have come to depend upon during her enduring career. She has been a friend, mentor, surrogate, gentle motivator, and the very fabric that has kept many on course. She is the embodiment of service and dedication to a set of ideals that supports the common goal of service to and for others, a consummate professional dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, in service to the citizens of this community. Thank you, Dr. Jackson for all your love and support and for the work you have done and continue to do for so many. Retiring, yes, but we know you will remain forever with our reach and in our hearts.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congresswoman Sinema for organizing this special order today. For far too long, we have treated mental illness as a by-product of physical injuries, and that those who suffer from mental illness just need to get over it.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a good friend on the eve of the 25th Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust. Mr. Ron E. Armstead is the Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust. In addition to being the Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust (CBCVB), he is a past consultant for former Secretary Jesse Brown's Veterans Administration's Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans. He has served as Executive Director of the CBCVB since its inception in 1988, first under Rep. Charles B. Rangel (NY-13), a decorated Korean War combat veteran and Dean of the New York Congressional Delegation, and currently under myself and Representative Sanford Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), ranking member of Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies of the Appropriations Committee. Under his leadership the Veterans Braintrust has expanded from its small core group to become the premiere forum for policy debate between veterans and representatives of government in the country. As well as being a Navy veteran, Mr. Armstead holds a Masters Degree in City Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a license in social work (LSW) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is currently on an extended leave of absence from Howard University's School of Social Work Doctoral Program. Mr. Armstead began his activist career at Boston State College in September 1975, as a campus organizer and later President of Student Government Association. During his time at BSC, he and several classmates incorporated the Veterans Benefits Clearinghouse, Inc. as an outgrowth of the Veterans Club on campus. His extensive background includes, but is not limited to issues of homelessness, mental health, social work, youth violence, affordable housing and community development. I am pleased to honor Mr. Armstead on this, the 25th Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus Veterans Braintrust.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, once again, Republicans have succeeded at taking a bad bill and making it even worse. I categorically oppose the bill before the House today, which heartlessly cuts nearly $40 billion from nutrition assistance programs, which assist the most vulnerable in our communities to stave off hunger and poverty. To enact this into law is outright shameful and runs counter to our most fundamental values as a nation. For seniors, children in low-income families, the disabled, and those who have lost jobs; food and nutrition programs are a lifeline and must be preserved. Nearly 49 million Americans and 17.6 million U.S. households are food insecure, while nearly 17 million of these individuals are children, 5 million are seniors and 300,000 are elderly veterans. Last month, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report stating that in the aftermath of the recession, food hardship remained extremely high as more than 8 million Americans lost their jobs. From the unemployed factory worker to the teacher who lives paycheck to paycheck, hunger and poverty affect every community in America. Certainly, the need for food assistance is already greater than SNAP can fill, and food banks and charities have stepped up to the plate to address these additional needs. Demand for assistance at food banks has increased 46 percent during the recession, so it's no surprise they are having a hard time keeping up with the current levels of need. Yet last month, rather than moving forward to pass a full Farm Bill last month, Republicans are doubling down on a failed strategy that only serves to undermine the health of millions of Americans and has no chance of becoming law since this bill will not pass the Senate or be signed into law by the President. Indeed, one would think that House Republicans' failure to pass their comprehensive, five-year Farm Bill, or subsequent partisan bills, should compel them to work with Democrats on behalf of the food and economic security of hardworking Americans, yet that is not the path they have chosen. It's time for Republicans to trade in their pointless and partisan agenda for responsible solutions that will promote, expand, and strengthen America's middle class.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, as we commemorate and celebrate the 50th anniversary for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (August 28, 1963), we do so with deep appreciation and profound gratitude to those who sacrificed and made true their promise of working to make America a better place for everyone. With the march taking place during the 100th year anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous ``I Have a Dream'' speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to over 250,000 people. As a result, the March on Washington remains one of the largest demonstrations for civil rights and economic rights in American history. Not only was the crowd large on that day, but the enormous impact it had on the struggle for equality and social justice is immeasurable. As the concept for a march of its magnitude began to unfold, American civil rights leaders as James Farmer, John Lewis, Martin Luther King, Jr., Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and Bayard Rustin all joined a broader coalition responsible for organizing the march under the leadership of its chairman, A. Phillip Randolph. Randolph, a onetime resident of Jacksonville, FL, had been selected to lead this effort as he was one of the most widely known spokespersons for black working class interests in the country. Just over twenty years prior he planned to use the support of nearly 100,000 loyal Black citizens to march on Washington, D.C., to protest President Franklin D. Roosevelt's refusal to issue an Executive Order to ban discrimination against black workers in the defense industry. However, just six days before the march was scheduled, Roosevelt issued Executive Order No. 8802 declaring ``there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin''. During the march on Washington in 1968, the coalition presented a list of comprehensive goals which included, a push to get passage of meaningful civil rights legislation, immediate elimination of school segregation, a program of public works, increased job training for the unemployed, a Federal law prohibiting discrimination in public or private hiring, a $2-an-hour minimum wage nationwide, withholding Federal funds from programs that tolerate discrimination, enforcement of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution by reducing congressional representation from States that disenfranchise citizens, a broadened Fair Labor Standards Act to currently excluded employment areas, and authority for the Attorney General to institute injunctive suits when constitutional rights are violated. While we have made significant progress since the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, we find ourselves dealing with many of the same issues that participants of the demonstration dealt with years ago. Today we see unemployment in the African American community over 10%, today we see conservative state legislatures across the country passing restrictive laws that make it more difficult for Americans to have access to the ballot box, today we see people judge each other based on the color of their skin, and as a result an unarmed teen in Florida lost his life, and today, we find ourselves trying to piece back what is left of the dismantled Voting Rights Act of 1965, as the United States Supreme Court has struck down Section 4 of the law, leaving the prized legislative victory of the Civil Rights movement without much power. While we must take this time to celebrate and appreciate the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, we must also continue to ensure that the goals of the march are fulfilled and Dr. King's Dream becomes a reality. For there is much work to be done, and if we all join together, I am hopeful we can make social justice and equality real in America, and all across the globe.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Today, we are here to finish the job of ensuring that all taxpayer-funded infrastructure investments support American jobs. If we defeat the previous question, the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Slaughter), the ranking member on the Committee on Rules, will offer an amendment to the rules that will make in order H.R. 949, the Invest in American Jobs Act of 2013, under an open rule. H.R. 949 strengthens domestic manufacturing requirements not only for Federal-aid highways, transit, aviation, and other Federal infrastructure investments, but also in rail. When I was chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, I held a roundtable of the importance of buying American in passenger rail projects. Well over 100 American companies participated and advocated for stronger rules. As a result, we included a provision in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 which required that the federally funded rail projects use domestic steel, iron, and other manufactured goods. We heard a lot of complaints, but 5 years later we know that it works. Let me just say that in Rochelle, Illinois, they just created more than 300 jobs using American companies. H.R. 949 would extend this same Buy America requirements to Amtrak and the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loan program. When it comes to transportation, every $1 billion we spend in infrastructure creates 33,000 new jobs. Now, because of the provision, Buy America, for every $1 billion we spend, it creates 43,890 good- paying American jobs. I urge the House to defeat the previous question so we can consider this important bill.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, when I was Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, I held a number of hearings on pipeline safety, one of which highlighted an American Petroleum Institute-developed (API) standard which was incorporated by reference in a pipeline education and awareness regulation. But in order to comprehend the regulation, interested parties had to obtain the API standard, which cost more than $1,000. One thousand dollars is a lot of money, particularly for small communities, local emergency responders, and pipeline safety advocates, for just one of the many pipeline safety standards referenced in regulations issued by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Fortunately, Congress resolved the situation in the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011. Section 24 of the Act prohibited the Secretary of Transportation, effective January 3, 2013, from issuing ``guidance or a regulation that incorporates by reference any documents or portions thereof unless the documents or portions thereof are made available to the public, free of charge, on an Internet Web site.'' Since enactment of the legislation, all but one organization has agreed in writing to electronically post on the Internet all of their consensus standards that PHMSA incorporates by reference into the federal pipeline safety regulations, including: ASTM International; The Manufacturers Standardization Society; The Gas Technology Institute; NACE International; The National Fire Protection Association; The American Petroleum Institute; The American Gas Association. Many other organizations have submitted letters to PHMSA expressing the need for public availability of the standards. I ask unanimous consent that the letters from the Pipeline Safety Trust, Dakota Rural Action, and Columbia Law Professor Peter Strauss be included in today's Record. One organization, however, has expressed concern about posting their standards on the Internet. This has, in turn, held up progress of several important safety rulemakings that were mandated in the 2011 pipeline law. So in an effort to move these important rulemakings forward, I believe the law should be modified to provide DOT with additional time to implement it and with additional flexibility to determine how best to make the standards widely available to the public. I believe that even with these changes the law will continue to address the transparency and openness concerns of the safety community. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2576. Pipeline Safety Trust, Bellingham, WA, July 15, 2013. Hon. Corrine Brown, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Ms. Brown: We would like to thank the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and the Energy & Commerce Committee for their efforts during the passage of the Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011 (the 2011 Act) to ensure that the public can actually freely read all the regulations that Congress mandates and that PHMSA then creates through the rulemaking process that could impact public safety and the health of the environment. A review of the Code of Federal Regulations under which PHMSA operates finds the following numbers of incorporated standards:

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in strong opposition to the farm bill rule and the underlying bill because it hurts the children of America.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Bible says to whom much is given, much is required. This is a sad day in the House of Representatives. Shame on the Republicans. Shame on the House.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Excuse me, Mr. Speaker. Did you rule in my favor?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Excuse me? What did I say that was incorrect?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. I was recognized for a minute. Are you saying that I do not have a minute? Parliamentary Inquiries

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, did you rule in my favor?

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a sad day in the House of Representatives. I want you to know that this is the people's House, and to separate the farm bill from the elderly, from the children is a shame. Mitt Romney was right. You do not care about the 47 percent. Shame on you. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill. By stripping out the nutrition portion of this legislation, the Republican Majority is showing their disdain for those people who are struggling to make ends meet, and trying to put good nutritious food on the table for their children. This Republican Leadership is the most partisan in the history of the House. By taking bipartisan legislation like the Farm Bill, which helps all Americans, they have made it a divisive issue. Mitt Romney was right--you don't care about the 47 percent of Americans who depend on the government for the basic necessities of life--food and shelter. The FARRM Bill needs to have all the sections included to genuinely affect all aspects of food production. From those who eat to those who produce. The family farmer produces the food for our table. The recipient of government funding spends all of that funding on food. Nothing is saved for later. Farm bills represent a delicate balance between America's farm, nutrition, conservation, and other priorities, and accordingly require strong bipartisan support. It is vital for a broad coalition of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to provide certainty for urban and rural America, the environment and our economy in general. Splitting the nutrition title from the rest of the bill could result in neither farm nor nutrition programs passing. I urge the leadership of the House of Representatives to move a unified farm bill forward.

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill. By stripping out the nutrition portion of this legislation, the Republican Majority is showing their disdain for those people who are struggling to make ends meet, and trying to put good nutritious food on the table for their children. This Republican Leadership is the most partisan in the history of the House. By taking bipartisan legislation like the Farm Bill, which helps all Americans, they have made it a divisive issue. Mitt Romney was right--you don't care about the 47 percent of Americans who depend on the government for the basic necessities of life--food and shelter. The FARRM Bill needs to have all the sections included to genuinely affect all aspects of food production. From those who eat to those who produce. The family farmer produces the food for our table. The recipient of government funding spends all of that funding on food. Nothing is saved for later. Farm bills represent a delicate balance between America's farm, nutrition, conservation, and other priorities, and accordingly require strong bipartisan support. It is vital for a broad coalition of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to provide certainty for urban and rural America, the environment and our economy in general. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP as it's called, protects over 46 million Americans who are at risk of going without sufficient food. Nearly half of those are children. The nutrition title of the FARRM bill includes SNAP. It includes the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program to help people learn to eat healthier. Community Food Projects is a grant program for eligible nonprofit organizations, in order to improve community access to food. The Emergency Food Assistance Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Child Nutrition Programs, Farm-to-School Programs, Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program are all programs that both help low income consumers and the farmers that produce what we put on our table. Splitting the nutrition title from the rest of the bill could result in neither farm nor nutrition programs passing. I urge the leadership of the House of Representatives to move a unified farm bill forward.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I submit the following letter. University of Florida Student Government, Gainesville, FL, June 5, 2013. Hon. Corrine Brown, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Congresswoman Brown: A well-educated workforce is essential to the growth of our country. I firmly believe that higher education is what drives our economy and gives our country its competitive advantage in the current global economy. As the colleges and universities in the United States make progress towards curing cancer and finding alternative energy sources, the cost of a college degree has increased progressively. According to the SFA Funds Management Report from the University of Florida, over 10,000 students have received $37,122,091 in subsidized Stafford Loans. Across the board, the cost of a college degree has increased by more than 1,000 percent in the past 35 years and many students simply cannot bear the cost of a college degree. I do not want to see student loan rates increase, but I recognize the need for long-term solutions to the problems that students face. I, along with the 50,000+ students at the University of Florida, support a bipartisan solution that will contribute to the success of students and support them in today's economy. This is an issue that we care about and it is a discussion that we want to be a part of. Economics teaches us that stability is one of the greatest influences in any market. Students need to be able to plan for the financial responsibilities of college and a stable loan market is crucially important to providing stability and security. I think that everyone can agree that students should be focused on their education and college graduates should be focused on their career. Unfortunately, the current loan crisis has students and graduates focused on the amount of money they owe instead of studying and contributing to the nation's economy. Ensuring that all stakeholders' voices are heard during the discussion is our main priority in finding a long-term solution to student loan rates. We are receptive to entertaining different possible solutions until the best one is found. Students and their families deserve financial stability instead of crippling adjustments or rate increases that would hinder their success. I look forward to discussing this issue with members from the state of Florida, and would gladly share my viewpoint with other Members of Congress. Go Gators, Christina Bonarrigo, Student Body President, University of Florida.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit the following: University of Florida, Student Government, Gainsville, FL, June 5, 2013. Hon. Corrine Brown, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC. Dear Congresswoman Brown: A well-educated workforce is essential to the growth of our country. I firmly believe that higher education is what drives our economy and gives our country its competitive advantage in the current global economy. As the colleges and universities in the United States make progress towards curing cancer and finding alternative energy sources, the cost of a college degree has increased progressively. According to the SFA Funds Management Report from the University of Florida, over 10,000 students have received $37,122,091 in subsidized Stafford Loans. Across the board, the cost of a college degree has increased by more than 1,000 percent in the past 35 years and many students simply cannot bear the cost of a college degree. I do not want to see student loan rates increase, but I recognize the need for long-term solutions to the problems that students face. I, along with the 50,000+ students at the University of Florida, support a bipartisan solution that will contribute to the success of students and support them in today's economy. This is an issue that we care about and it is a discussion that we want to be a part of. Economics teaches us that stability is one of the greatest influences in any market, Students need to be able to plan for the financial responsibilities of college and a stable loan market is crucially important to providing stability and security. I think that everyone can agree that students should be focused on their education and college graduates should be focused on their career. Unfortunately, the current loan crisis has students and graduates focused on the amount of money they owe instead of studying and contributing to the nation's economy. Ensuring that all stakeholders' voices are heard during the discussion is our main priority in finding a long-term solution to student loan rates. We are receptive to entertaining different possible solutions until the best one is found. Students and their families deserve financial stability instead of crippling adjustments or rate increases that would hinder their success. I look forward to discussing this issue with members from the state of Florida, and would gladly share my viewpoint with other Members of Congress. Go Gators, Christina Bonarrigo, Student Body President, University of Florida.

Ms. BROWN of Florida

Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for coming to the floor to discuss what I think is one of the most activist Court decisions probably in my lifetime. When I was elected to Congress in 1992, it was the first time an African American won an election in Florida in 129 years in this body. And I can't stand in this body and not think about what happened in the 2000 election when we had a coup d'etat in this country, when 27,000 voters from my districts, Districts 7, 8, 9 and 10, their ballots were not counted and were thrown out because of poor equipment. Let's don't talk about what happened 4 years later when Jeb Bush paid $4 million to a company that took all of the people off the ballot that were not even felons. In this recent election with this latest Governor, what did he do? They did away with Sunday voting because African Americans and others vote on Sunday. So our work is cut out for us. The legislature for the first time put together a program that clearly lays out what we need to do to move forward. So I urge my colleagues to move forward in making sure that we reinstate section 4 of the Voting Rights Act.