Cori Bush

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise to celebrate the joyous occasion of Diwali on November 12, 2023 and share our heartfelt appreciation for BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha Diwali. The Festival of Lights stands as a beacon of hope, faith, and the triumph of good over evil, sharing its enlightening messages of positivity and communal unity. The significance of Diwali extends far beyond its luminous festivities; it represents a time for communities to come together, reflect on the values of compassion and righteousness, and spread the light of joy and goodwill. The Mandir's steadfast commitment to upholding the traditions and values of Diwali serves as an exemplary beacon of spiritual enlightenment and community service. As we embrace the festivities of this occasion, let us cherish the timeless wisdom embedded in Diwali's celebration, and let its radiant light guide us toward a path of unity, compassion, and prosperity. We are eager to join hands with the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in welcoming our community to celebrate Diwali, to revel in its rich cultural heritage, and to partake in the collective spirit of joy and harmony that this festival embodies. May the divine blessings of Diwali illuminate our hearts and homes, and may the ensuing year be filled with prosperity, peace, and spiritual fulfillment for all.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. No more lies. Cease-fire now. She takes the death threats that you all send her, Mr. Speaker--The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman from Missouri is no longer recognized.

Ms. BUSH. St. Louis and I rise today in opposition to this censure resolution and also in opposition to the reckless manner that people in this House speak when they don't realize or don't care that they put targets on the backs of actual people, most of whom are Black and Brown, because of a lack of care and the lack of understanding and a lack of seeing the humanity of folks who look like Rashida Tlaib. It is outrageous that my colleagues are blatantly, blatantly attempting to silence the only Palestinian-American Representative right here. It is outrageous, but it is not surprising. Let me tell you, Mr. Speaker, it is not surprising because this place is where 1,700 Members of Congress, this elected body, enslaved Black people. It is not surprising, because they thought it was right. It is not surprising because this is a place where Members continue to claim that the insurrection on the Capitol just appeared to look like a normal tourist visit. It is not surprising because this is the place where our Black and Brown staff members repeatedly speak of experiencing racism, sexism, Islamophobia, get pushed off of elevators, xenophobia and more right here in this workplace. This is the place. Let me say this: She mourns for the 1,400 Israelis who lost their lives.

Ms. BUSH. She mourns for the 10,000, and she will not stop.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise to celebrate and honor Ms. Evelyn Rice-Peebles for her career in public service to Missouri's First District over the last 30 years. Throughout her career, she has been an inspiration to many. Evelyn was the first Black woman appointed as a Commissioner in the City of St. Louis. She has served under several Mayors, most recently as the Commissioner of Recreation for the City of St. Louis, ensuring that all St. Louisans have an opportunity to enjoy recreational activities such as swimming, aerobics, basketball and more. Her charitable contributions have ranged from providing science and conservation education at the Saint Louis Science Center and Missouri Department of Conservation, to promoting learning opportunities with the National Society of Black Engineers. She has further dedicated her time with BJC HealthCare's School Outreach and Youth Development, St. Louis Transitional Hope House, and the Women's Society of Washington University. She is a proud mother who is passionate about her faith and is committed to making St. Louis a better place for all, especially our youth. Ms. Evelyn Rice-Peebles has received multiple awards including the Harambee Institute Youth Service Award, the Jodie Bailey and Friends Recreational and Sports Social Inc. Role Model Award, the Hope House Creative Support Award, and the Young Women Christian Association's 2016 Leader of Distinction Award. She is also an inductee of the St. Louis Boxing Hall of Fame and a recipient of a Resolution for Excellence in Office and Service by the St. Louis City Board of Aldermen. On behalf of Missouri's First District and the St. Louis community, we thank Ms. Evelyn Rice-Peebles for everything she has done for our region. I personally wish her a joyous retirement filled with family, creative writing, spoken word, and the final publication of her collection of short stories.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise to congratulate the Wesley House Association for 120 years of dedicated community service. Wesley House is a professional, highly-motivated, and socially conscious organization with a passion for improving the overall quality of life for communities in need. They value creative problem-solving and ambitious fundraising efforts in order to support their far- reaching programs and services. Their afterschool programs encourage civic engagement among young people, and their senior outreach programs help ensure that our seniors are respected, secure, and active participants in their communities. Organizations like Wesley House are incredibly valued and beloved. Their efforts are truly the personification of what it means to be servant leaders who embody selflessness and unyielding altruism. St. Louis honors their service, and may we all commit to paying their efforts forward.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise to celebrate the 45th anniversary of St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (``SLACO''). For over four decades, SLACO has been an instrumental force in Missouri's First District by fostering unity and strength across our community. Founded in 1978 by the visionary Father Gerry Kleba. SLACO has evolved into a dynamic coalition of neighborhood associations and community organizations and embodies a spirit of collective action and resilience. SLACO-s commitment to enhancing the quality of life in St. Louis through diverse initiatives such as affordable housing production, violence prevention, after-school programming, environmental education, and community organizing has left an indelible mark on our community. Under the current leadership of Executive Director Kevin McKinney. SLACO has demonstrated its forward-thinking approach to promoting public safety, advancing racial equity, and fostering meaningful change. As a connecting force for neighborhoods across the region, the organization has emerged as a vital catalyst in shaping dialogue and driving impactful societal shifts. As the Congresswoman for Missouri's First District and on behalf of the entire St. Louis community. it is an honor to celebrate SLACO's 45 years of resilience, unity, and collaboration. May this anniversary serve as a catalyst for further innovation, growth. and meaningful endeavors in the years to come.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, St. Louis and I rise to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Lite of Jericho Missionary Baptist Church in Missouri's First District. The Lite of Jericho Missionary Baptist Church has been a spiritual beacon in the St. Louis community. Under the leadership of Reverend Reginald D. Rogers, Sr., the church has provided meals for those in need and organized health fairs for residents in the surrounding neighborhoods. The church has also been an avid supporter of Annie Malone Children and Family Services. I am thankful for their work and commitment to community service, including partnering with Beyond Me Outreach, which sits under the North City Community Development Corporation. I wish the Lite of Jericho Missionary Baptist Church success in their future endeavors, including their goal of constructing an educational facility to promote literacy among youth in the First District. St. Louis honors the Lite of Jericho Missionary Baptist Church on a blessed 90 years of service and worship.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, St. Louis and I rise to commemorate Transfiguration Lutheran Church on 120 years of faith, community, and service. Transfiguration Lutheran Church was organized on November 8, 1903, and became the first African American Lutheran Congregation west of the Mississippi River. They have committed themselves to improving the lives and wellbeing of their community by providing meals, athletics, dance, music, art classes, and field trips at their TLC Summer Day Camp, established in 2016. Their women's ministry emphasizes the strength and contributions of biblical women, women in history, and the women who currently make up their congregation. Many lives have been forever changed due to the efforts of Transfiguration Lutheran Church, and a thank you will never feel quite adequate to reflect our immense gratitude as a region for their work. St. Louis honors their dedication and may we all commit to paying their efforts forward.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, I was not present during today's votes. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 516, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 517, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 518, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 519.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, I was not present during today's first or second vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 456, NAY on Roll Call No. 457, NAY on Roll Call No. 458, NAY on Roll Call No. 459, NAY on Roll Call No. 460, YEA on Roll Call No. 461, NAY on Roll Call No. 462, NAY on Roll Call No. 463, NAY on Roll Call No. 464, NAY on Roll Call No. 465, NAY on Roll Call No. 466, NAY on Roll Call No. 467, NAY on Roll Call No. 468, NAY on Roll Call No. 469, NAY on Roll Call No. 470, NAY on Roll Call No. 471, NAY on Roll Call No. 472, NAY on Roll Call No. 473, NAY on Roll Call No. 474, NAY on Roll Call No. 475, NAY on Roll Call No. 476, NAY on Roll Call No. 477, NAY on Roll Call No. 478, NAY on Roll Call No. 479, NAY on Roll Call No. 480, NAY on Roll Call No. 481, NAY on Roll Call No. 482, NAY on Roll Call No. 483, NAY on Roll Call No. 484, NAY on Roll Call No. 485, NAY on Roll Call No. 486, NAY on Roll Call No. 487, NAY on Roll Call No. 488, NAY on Roll Call No. 489, NAY on Roll Call No. 490, NAY on Roll Call No. 491, NAY on Roll Call No. 492, NAY on Roll Call No. 493, NAY on Roll Call No. 494, NAY on Roll Call No. 495, NAY on Roll Call No. 496, YEA on Roll Call No. 497, NAY on Roll Call No. 498, YEA on Roll Call No. 499, NAY on Roll Call No. 500, YEA on Roll Call No. 501, NAY on Roll Call No. 502, YEA on Roll Call No. 503, YEA on Roll Call No. 504, NAY on Roll Call No. 505, YEA on Roll Call No. 506, and NAY on Roll Call No. 507.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Madam Chair, I was not present during today's first or second vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 417, NAY on Roll Call No. 418, NAY on Roll Call No. 419, NAY on Roll Call No. 420, NAY on Roll Call No. 421, NAY on Roll Call No. 422, NAY on Roll Call No. 423, NAY on Roll Call No. 424, NAY on Roll Call No. 425, NAY on Roll Call No. 426, NAY on Roll Call No. 427, NAY on Roll Call No. 428, NAY on Roll Call No. 429, NAY on Roll Call No. 430, NAY on Roll Call No. 431, NAY on Roll Call No. 432, NAY on Roll Call No. 433, NAY on Roll Call No. 434, NAY on Roll Call No. 435, NAY on Roll Call No. 436, YEA on Roll Call No. 437, NAY on Roll Call No. 438, YEA on Roll Call No. 439, YEA on Roll Call No. 440, NAY on Roll Call No. 441, NAY on Roll Call No. 442, YEA on Roll Call No. 443, YEA on Roll Call No. 444, NAY on Roll Call No. 445, NAY on Roll Call No. 446, NAY on Roll Call No. 447, NAY on Roll Call No. 448, NAY on Roll Call No. 449, NAY on Roll Call No. 450, NAY on Roll Call No. 451, NAY on Roll Call No. 452. NAY on Roll Call No. 453, YEA on Roll Call No. 454 and NAY on Roll Call No. 455. Amendment No. 66 Offered by Mr. Norman

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Chair, I was not able to be present during today's full first vote series or the second series. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on rollcall No. 404, NAY on rollcall No. 405, YEA on rollcall No. 407, NAY on rollcall No. 408, NAY on rollcall No. 409, NAY on rollcall No. 410, NAY on rollcall No. 411, NAY on rollcall No. 412, NAY on rollcall No. 413, NAY on rollcall No. 414, NAY on rollcall No. 415, and NAY on rollcall No. 416.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Madam Speaker, St. Louis and I rise in support of our unions, including the 150,000 United Auto Workers nationwide and our Local 2250 in Missouri's First District. Autoworkers have built a quarter of a trillion dollars in profits for the Big Three--for Ford, for GM, for Stellantis--in the past decade, including $21 billion in the first 6 months of 2023. Yet, workers are currently making 10 percent less in wages, real wages, than they made last year. Our workers deserve fair wages. Our workers deserve better benefits and safe working conditions. They deserve to be rewarded for the sacrifices that they made and the profits that they have built. To UAW Local 2250, know that I have your back. I am proud to have delivered $1.5 million in community project funding for the creation of a premier automotive repair training center in St. Louis, and I am proud to keep up the fight right here in Congress to pass and to finally enact the PRO Act. Our work continues.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, I was not present during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 287, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 288, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 289.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, I was not present during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 284, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 285, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 286.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today in defense of Social Security because Republicans are trying to take it away. Regular, everyday people in our country have long been promised that if you take a part of your paycheck and contribute to Social Security, you will be able to retire with grace and with dignity and you will have enough money to put food on the table, pay your bills, and keep the heat on in the winter. Nearly 65 million people rely on Social Security benefits, including 131,000 in my home State of Missouri. People with disabilities, retired workers, and their dependents are relying on a fully funded Social Security program. Instead of strengthening and protecting Social Security, extreme MAGA Republicans in D.C. want to end Social Security as we know it. We are talking about taking away from folks who rely on these benefits, who rely on what this government allows. They want to be able to attack that. People are already relying on Meals on Wheels. They rely on the Circuit Breaker program. They rely on them in ways that they should have because they have given their hearts and their souls to working for this country. Every single day for decades here in this country, they rely on the fully funded Social Security program that extreme MAGA Republicans want to end. They would rather protect gas stoves than protect retired workers or protect seniors. We cannot and we will not allow this to happen. We must ensure that lifesaving social programs are here to stay. As Democrats, we are committed to strengthening Social Security. As Democrats, we are committed to strengthening Medicare, to strengthening the programs that everyday people in this country rely on. We will continue to fight back against any extreme MAGA Republican attempts to cut these lifesaving benefits. We believe in saving lives, and we show up that way because we are Democrats.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Madam Speaker, St. Louis and I rise against the Speaker of this House sending Members of Congress home on a break as he is taking our economy hostage in service of his dangerous, MAGA Republican agenda designed to gut social programs that save lives. We are on the brink of economic disaster because of a fabricated Republican ultimatum, and the Speaker has decided to send everyone home. This is not a game. Real people and real lives hang in the balance, but the Speaker seems intent on holding our economy hostage and rewarding himself with a break, as he is bringing us to the brink of a default that would devastate communities like mine in St. Louis. Just over 2 years ago, the Republican Party tried to hold our democracy hostage. Now they are holding our economy hostage. They are gambling with Social Security checks, with Medicare and Medicaid benefits, with food for children, and with people's rent money, and that is a bad deal. The Dems are here. The Dems are here. The Dems are here, and we are saying: Where are the Republicans? Sign the discharge petition. Madam Speaker, will you sign the discharge petition? Where are the Republicans? Sign the discharge petition. The Speaker needs to do his job.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today in honor of National Nurses Week and to honor the life and legacy of America's first professionally trained Black nurse, Mary Eliza Mahoney. Today, I am proud to introduce a resolution supported by the National Black Nurses Association and National Nurses United to uplift and celebrate the timeless contributions of Mary Eliza Mahoney. Mary Eliza advanced the nursing profession by confronting issues affecting professional nurses, such as poor working conditions and racial discrimination. She was one of the founders of the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, whose mission was to improve access to educational and nursing practices for all Black Americans. Her legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of Black nurses across this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating America's first Black nurse and in honoring Black nurses who are saving lives across our country every day.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, due to health reasons, I was not present during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 190, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 191, and ``nay'' on rollcall No. 192.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, due to health reasons, I was not present during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 188 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 189.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, due to a medical emergency, I was unable to vote during today's vote series. Had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 187.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise today for the equal rights amendment. We rise on this historic occasion, on the eve of the birth of the Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment, a caucus I am proud to be founding tomorrow alongside my co-chair-in-service, my sister-in-service, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. We rise in the tradition of those who led this fight before us, those whose shoulders we now stand upon: shoulders like Pauli Murray, Shirley Chisholm, and Barbara Jordan. On this ERA caucus eve, as we near the close of Women's History Month, it is only fitting that we are here on the floor of this U.S. House of Representatives with our Congressional Black Caucus colleagues, because Black women have always been leaders of the fight to enshrine equality in our Nation's Constitution, but we haven't always been in the headlines for leading that work. Today, we are here to declare that the reason the ERA is a priority for the CBC is because everyone in our communities has something to gain from its finalization. Black women, girls, and queer folk have the most to gain. We are here continuing to lead, demanding exactly what is owed to us: equality. Because, you see, the Constitution, in all its wisdom, guaranteed fundamental inalienable rights, but stopped short of guaranteeing those rights for everyone. Women? We were written out. Black women? Not only were we written out, but too many authors of the Constitution were busy enslaving, exploiting, and extracting the labor of our ancestors for profit and were unconcerned with what was owed to us: equal rights, nothing less. We need to start by being honest about who is harmed the most when equal rights are not enshrined in our Constitution. We know that without the ERA, the patchwork legislation that we have in place to protect women--including provisions of the Equal Pay Act, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Title IX, and the Violence Against Women Act--has primarily benefited and made gains for White women. Now is the time to build on those gains and expand protections for all women and LGBTQ+ folks, all of us, too. This is our moment. One hundred years since the ERA was introduced in this body, 100 years. This is our moment to finalize the ERA so that we modernize the Constitution and make sure the fight for equality not only includes but centers the people who have been left behind, because we were written out of this document. One hundred years, and all we are asking for is 24 words. In 24 words, 24 simple words, the equal rights amendment will add to our Constitution that: ``Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.'' That is it. In other words, this amendment would make the ``we'' in the ``we the people'' become ``us,'' all of us. In doing so, the ERA can protect people from gender-based discrimination by simultaneously acting as a vehicle for progress. We see it here. This is just a portion. It can work to ensure permanent protections, like fair wages, like violence prevention, like healthcare equity, like reproductive freedom, like LGBTQ+ rights, and like much else we not only deserve but are entitled to and are owed. Equality and nothing less. That is what we are asking for. But we need the ERA, and we need it now, because equality is overdue. Equality is overdue. I rise in support of the equal rights amendment today, on the shoulders of the scores of Black women and LGBTQ+ people who have toiled on this initiative for 100 whole years, to amplify their calls, calls they made in this very Chamber and outside of it, calls that resonate today even as the attacks against us intensify, calls to publish the ERA now. Publish the ERA now. Publish the equal rights amendment now, because equality is overdue.

Ms. BUSH

Ms. BUSH. Madam Chair, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio-Cortez).

Ms. BUSH. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, St. Louis, House Democrats, and I rise today to strongly oppose H.R. 347, the Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act. While Democrats passed numerous laws last Congress that are successfully reducing inflation every month, House Republicans have come up with nothing more than a study in response. This is unbelievable. The substance and process of this bill amount to nothing more than political theater to distract from and undermine the immense successes of congressional Democrats and the Biden administration. If Republicans were serious about fighting inflation and cutting costs for regular, everyday people, they would have joined with Democrats to pass critical legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act to rebuild American manufacturing and lower the cost of prescription drugs, healthcare, energy, and other goods and services for the people of our country rather than pushing an extreme MAGA messaging bill that accomplishes nothing. Nothing. Not a thing. The global spike in inflation has been caused by food and fuel disruptions resulting from the illegal and unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as auto part supply shortages connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no evidence that government spending or executive orders by President Biden have increased inflation. The President and congressional Democrats have taken steps to enact policies; not studies, not reports, but actual, tangible policies and dollars delivered to our communities to lower costs for regular, everyday people. Yet, we understand that still much more work remains. For over 20 years, while I was a single mother of 2, I experienced countless times what it was like to see costs rise faster than my wages. I know what it is like to have to choose between paying the electric bill or paying rent. I remember thinking to myself, who is it that is fighting for me and for other people in my situation? Lawmakers in Congress can help alleviate that pain. Lawmakers in Congress can prioritize enacting policies to raise wages and lower costs, and that is what congressional Democrats have done. For so many people in my community of St. Louis and around the country, skyrocketing rents and high utility costs are consistent barriers to keeping families safe and fed, and that is a moral and policy failure. We have seen how people's lives improved when the Federal Government stepped up to enact a moratorium on evictions or sent urgently needed stimulus checks to families or expanded the child tax credit or capped insulin at $35 a month. Those are the actions that saved lives. That is what we need, and we need more of that now. Yet, here we have a report. However, what my House Republican colleagues have demonstrated this Congress and what they are demonstrating here today with this bill is that they are not serious about governing. They have circumvented regular order to bring this hollow bill to a vote on the House floor. Even as people continue to suffer the consequences of inflation and flawed responses that exacerbate unemployment, corporations, especially in the energy industry, have capitalized on this crisis to raise prices for everyday people and for families. Last year, Exxon made $56 billion in profits, using inflation as a cover to fleece regular, everyday people just trying to get to medical appointments or to school. I oppose this bill because I am aware of what it is. It is a distraction from our work for our constituents. It is a waste of government resources, and it is a squandering of time that we should be using to rein in corporate greed and support those of our neighbors who need our help the most. I oppose this bill because it isn't a meaningful way to legislate. It is a political stunt. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.