Joyce Beatty

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chairman, I thank Ranking Member Quigley for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my en bloc amendment filed with my colleague, Congressman John Garamendi, which highlights the importance of the HOME Investment Partnership program to meet affordable housing needs in the United States. For 30 years, Mr. Chair, HOME has proven to be one of the most effective locally driven tools to help States and communities address their most pressing housing challenges; whether that is new affordable housing construction, rehabilitation of existing buildings, homebuyer assistance, and tenant-based rental assistance, including veterans, as we approach Veterans Day, persons with disabilities, seniors, and persons experiencing homelessness. We cannot slash or cut these funds because we know slashing the funds for the HOME program from $1.7 million to $500 million--the lowest allocation since the program was established in 1992--at a time when the Nation, and as we all know in all districts, is facing an affordable housing crisis, with record lows in housing inventory and soaring rents and construction costs, slashing such an essential housing program by nearly 70 percent is unthinkable. Every American deserves access to safe and affordable housing, and every single one of my colleagues in this Chamber ought to support the HOME program to be fully funded to achieve that purpose. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I urge them to support the robust funding for the HOME program.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. The recent Speaker pro tempore said that diversity and inclusion would be the top priority. Mr. Speaker, I ask that we reconsider this.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in fierce opposition to H.R. 4364. I thank the chairman, but I specifically thank our ranking member for allowing me to speak. This totally eliminates the funding for the House Office of Diversity and Inclusion. As former chair of the first-ever House Committee on Financial Services Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion, I have long been an ardent and vocal champion for diversity and inclusion. As stated in the 116th Congress, the House Office of D&I was created to cultivate a workplace at the United States House of Representatives that reflects the rich diversity of the districts and the constituents we represent. While I heard what the chairman says, the records do not reflect that in the talent development office. This office also helps place numerous diverse applicants into staff positions on Capitol Hill. It is critical because, in a 2019 House office study, it found that 70 percent of House employees at that time were White, demonstrating in statistical terms the stunning lack of diversity among House employees. The Republican effort to eradicate the $3 million in funding for this office is yet another shortsighted attempt to turn back the clock and to undo the hard-fought gains won by Congress, the people's House. Study after study shows the countless benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, most importantly given the indisputable importance of the congressional staffers on the legislative process, and the direct effect they have on the lives of millions of Americans, the constituents, our constituents that they work with in our districts. For reference, Mr. Speaker, Speaker Johnson's district is almost 50- 50 White to Blacks and minorities. Former Speaker McCarthy's district is 50-50. California's 13th District is actually 66 percent persons of color, and I think, when you look at that, it is very important for us to have staff who reflect that.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Madam Speaker, I rise today because every year, on average, 36,000 Americans are killed by guns, which is equivalent to the population of many Ohio cities. We must do more to close the loopholes and advance sensible gun reform legislation to end this epidemic in America. And speaking of Ohio, where I am from and represent, according to the Giffords Law Center's annual gun scorecard grades Ohio at an `F'. As the Congresswoman representing Ohio's Third Congressional District, this is something I am not proud of. Currently at the state level, Ohio has no universal background checks, no assault weapons restrictions, no ban on large capacity magazines, no waiting periods, no child access prevention laws, no gun owner licensing or registration requirements, no extreme risk protection orders, no limit on the number of guns that can be bought at once, and also lacks most domestic violence gun laws. Easy gun access encourages the increased prevalence of firearms in our communities. As someone who deeply values the families and communities I serve, one of my top priorities is keeping them safe. I stand proud to be a part of that push for necessary reform as a cosponsor of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would establish checks on the transfer of firearms between private parties and prohibits the transfer of a firearm if a preliminary background check has not been conducted. I am also a cosponsor of the Assault Weapons Ban Act and a number of other sensible gun violence prevention measures. However, we must push further and look to reform historical systemic disparities by investing in community-based violence intervention policies that rectify injustices in our policing, education, and residential segregation and racial bias. More than one in four fatal police shootings involves a Black victim, even though Black people make up nearly 14 percent of the United States population. The time for action is now. As members of Congress, we have an obligation to protect the citizens we represent and be proactive in preventing harm to all Americans. I urge my colleagues on the other side to come together and set aside partisan differences before it's too late. We owe it to the victims of gun violence; we owe it to our constituents. My fellow CBC members have already started answering this call as we have introduced over 17 sensible gun reform and community safety bills in the 118th Congress alone.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, first, let me say thank you to the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Steven Horsford, for shaping our message tonight and reminding us so eloquently of what our role is to be here as a Member of Congress, as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, representing some 80 million Americans and some 18 million Black Americans. To our Special Order hour chairs, the gentleman from Illinois and the gentlewoman from Florida, thank you for your leadership role. Thank you for your opening remarks reminding us that words matter, reminding us that as leaders, we are elected to represent diverse bodies across this wonderful America that we live in. Thank you to my classmate, Congressman Donald Payne, for giving us a history, for setting the record straight. Mr. Speaker, we are here today because we want America to know how important our work is. We want them to know when we say we are woke, we are proud. We are speaking to constituents across America. Somehow, my colleagues have started with that, turning that into a negative. Well, we are very clear that we are very woke. We are woke about what is needed to all constituents, and we are fighting for everyone, but, yes, we clearly stand up and represent Black America. I rise today to join my colleagues in shedding light on the deeply derogatory term that has perpetuated the pain and suffering endured by Black Americans throughout history; the term that was used by a Member of this Chamber just a few days ago--colored people. It was equally as disturbing, Mr. Speaker, that he made reference to DE&I as lowering standards, getting less than. Well, today I rise as a strong supporter of DE&I. Through the bold leadership of then Chairwoman Maxine Waters, chair of the prestigious Financial Services Committee, I was appointed by her as the first-ever D&I chair of the Subcommittee on Diversity and Inclusion under the powerful Financial Services Committee. Now, I mention this for a reason, Mr. Speaker. We brought in the largest financial institutions in this Nation, CEOs of companies like J.P. Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and the list goes on and on. Each one of those CEOs under oath testified that they were committed to DE&I because it was a good business thing, and it would make a difference in this country. They hired DE&I corporate executives across America not because it was lowering standards, not because they were employing people who were less than, but because they had an understanding in this America that we live in that that makes us more united, and it helps us avoid the culture wars that I am sadly seeing on this floor. Today, Mr. Speaker, I stand here as a Black woman, proud to serve all of my constituents, but, today, it is very personal and somewhat emotional for me because I am standing here in the same spot that I stood in last week where I am now reminded that I was faced to deal with in 2023 what I heard on this floor. On this floor, Mr. Speaker, the people's House, I am forced to deal with what for centuries Black Americans have been subjected to: systemic oppression, denied human rights, and treated as lesser human beings, simply because of the color of their skin. Phrases like this have no place on the House floor in Congress or anywhere else. This term, more commonly used in the Jim Crow years, is a phrase that is deeply offensive and considered as a slur to delineate Black Americans as less than, and it carries the historical burden of pain and violent discrimination, widespread inequality, and segregation. Mr. Speaker, as I come to a close, let me just share with you that we live in a world where the United States of America is a superpower on the global stage because of our rich diversity, something that is to be celebrated, not used as a tool to shame not only us but those servicemen who signed up to put their life on the line for this country. I am sitting here and thinking what John Lewis would say because so many of my Republican colleagues proudly quote him: See something, say something. I am feeling like what Shirley Chisholm must have thought when she was the only female to be one of the founders of the Congressional Black Caucus and to stand on this House floor as a Black woman having to deal with the things that we are having to deal with now. Certainly, I could go on and on and do a roll call of many other Black Americans, White Americans, and Brown Americans who have stood on this floor defending this House. This word should not be allowed to be used as a tool to shame or admonish those who are systemically marginalized or oppressed. I know well the consequences that have come as a result of systemic discrimination, whether by policy or by everyday hate speech. Each of us, Mr. Speaker, in this body is responsible for challenging and dismantling systems of discrimination that have perpetuated throughout our society. I am going to offer a resolve. We have heard our chairperson say no apologies, seen a few statements on social media, but since the Speaker of the House issued a statement that there was no place for this, the leader of the House supported that the words be taken down, there is an issue that can help me with resolve. You see, several of us, as Democrats and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, have a piece of legislation that says Black history is American history. If we really believe in bipartisanship, if Representative Crane, as he said, wanted to amend his words because he did not mean that, and somewhere on social media he invoked God and what this was causing him with his team, then let's have all of our Members recognize that there are so many things that Black Americans did because Black history is American history. If we had the time, I could rattle off a list of things that we are allowed to do because a Black person invented it or a Black person designed it. If we really meant to say ``people of color,'' then let me say people of color have led and continue to lead this Nation. A Black man served as President of these United States. A Black woman serves as Vice President of these United States. Right here in the spot that you are standing, Mr. Speaker, a Black man, for the first time in the history of this country, became sworn in by this body as the minority leader in this House and held that most sacred gavel to put in the hands of the Speaker. As I end, I will use my voice and my platform to make the world a better place for my children--for all the children and grandchildren-- and my grandchildren, so Spencer and Leah will know that they, too, will be valued as strong Black Americans. I charge all of my colleagues to do the same.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, I would like to be recognized to have the words colored people stricken from the Record. I find it offensive and very inappropriate.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, I am asking for unanimous consent to take down the words of referring to me or any of my colleagues as colored people.

Mrs. BEATTY. I have asked unanimous consent, Mr. Chair, to have the words stricken. I didn't ask for an amendment.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, I was asking to be recognized to have the words colored people--

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, this week, Republicans are choosing MAGA extremism over our military, over women's health rights, and over diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our military, Mr. Chairman, was founded to fight for the freedom of all our citizens. House Republicans have threatened democracy with these divisive amendments, setting us back in history far before civil rights and taking us back to slavery. The very fabric of our country stands on equal rights, freedoms, and the decisions of all our citizens. They are divisive amendments using the defense bill to undermine the freedom for us to learn about one another, for us to hire one another, and for us to understand our cultures. It would bring us together if we did DEI. Even your own chairman of the Financial Services Committee said that we would include diversity and inclusion in our committees because we are stronger when we are together. Democrats have long advocated for more rights, not for less, for more access for those marginalized, and for more freedom for those who are considered citizens of our beloved country. Mr. Chairman, this is wrong, and we are better than that. It is very difficult as a Black woman for me to stand on this House floor and have my colleagues say that there is no value and no need for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu).

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher).

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Chair, in closing, let me just say that this is difficult today, but let me assure my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that we are not playing games. Let me assure my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that we take this very seriously and very personally. Let me assure my colleagues on the other side of the aisle that when we use a defense bill, when we use our military--I am old enough to remember when Black officers and when women were not allowed to serve-- you are setting us back on this floor on both sides of the aisle. We have people of color, people who have served, women who have served on this side of the aisle, and to use it to deny women rights to their reproductive rights, to use this as an excuse in a political maneuver, we are so serious that this has become something that is very difficult for us to stand on this floor and work with you and look at you for something that is so appalling. The ACTING Chair. The time of the gentlewoman has expired. Members are again reminded to direct their remarks to the Chair.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Madam Speaker, fact: Republicans went home. Fact: Their side of the Chamber is empty. Fact: They do not want to negotiate, and they are holding our economy hostage to a ransom note of partisan demands. Fact: They are taking Medicaid away from millions, firing teachers, removing children from childcare, and ripping food assistance away from our families. They are even slashing veterans' healthcare. Fact: Their plan would cut jobs. Republicans are playing political games. They have even said that they are holding us hostage and will not negotiate. Do you know what, Madam Speaker? It is the American people and our children, like those who are in the gallery today, that they are holding hostage. It is obvious that Republicans are defaulting on our debt.

Mrs. BEATTY. Instead of honoring our sacred obligation to pay our bills-- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentlewoman's time has expired.

Mrs. BEATTY. Democrats will not let the bank of justice be destroyed by MAGA Republicans.

Mrs. BEATTY. We come to this floor today, the people's House, to put people over politics.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time, and I thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle for their bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of the Preventing the Financing of Illegal Synthetic Drugs Act, H.R. 1076. Mr. Speaker, as the ranking member of the Financial Services Subcommittee of National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, our jurisdiction tends to focus abroad, but make no mistake, the epidemic of synthetic drug overdoses impacts each and every congressional district and every community throughout our country. For example, Ohio ranks third in the overall number of drug overdose deaths, which we are not proud of. According to the most recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 107,000 people in the United States have died from drug overdoses or drug poisoning in the past 12 months. Mr. Speaker, 5,000 of those individuals were right there in my district. Let me also share, as my colleague and our chair of the committee has stated to us, under the bill, the GAO would examine these illicit financial flows from and to foreign nations, including China, and will review the business of the trafficking of synthetic drugs and related illicit finance, such as participation in transnational criminal organizations and behaviors. If we are going to stop the flow of illicit drugs like fentanyl and meth and the tragic loss of lives they bring with them, then we need to know more about the who, the where, and the how of the illegal trafficking trade. Mr. Speaker, that is why I am honored to support what I call a commonsense, bipartisan piece of legislation. Again, I thank the chair, our ranking member, the bill's sponsors, and, certainly, our Financial Services Committee, and I urge my colleagues to join in support.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of the China Financial Threat Mitigation Act, or H.R. 1156. Certainly, I agree with my colleague and friends across the aisle that we need to dig deeper. We understand that, yes, China is trying to weaken our country. Because of its size and deep connection to the global economy, the People's Republic of China represents a potential threat to our economy and our financial system. We must have a clear picture of the systemic risks we face so we can respond appropriately to safeguard our economic interests and mitigate these threats. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan bill will require the Treasury Department to study and issue a report that analyzes risks to the United States' financial stability and the global economy stemming from China. I thank my colleague, the vice chair of this subcommittee, for participating today, along with our Republican colleagues. As the ranking member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, I am very happy to work across the aisle to address the issues of competitiveness with China. Mr. Speaker, this is the right thing to do, and I urge all Members to support this bipartisan bill. Mr. Speaker, lastly, I don't think I need to remind my colleagues that this legislation was brought three times in the last Congress. I certainly thank then-Congressman Gonzalez from Ohio, who sponsored this legislation.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, 43 years ago, the trailblazing Ohioan, a friend, and founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Louis Stokes, stood on this very floor and entered into the Record an extraordinary speech. It was a speech he had heard by a young, accomplished, talented Black American, a lawyer, Patricia Russell-McCloud titled, ``If Not You, Who? If Not Now, When?'' It was a speech with themes that are still very much relevant today: of what does it mean to be Black in America and the struggle to carve out a place in society. I am pleased to say that Patricia Russell-McCloud now lives in Ohio's Third Congressional District and is one of my constituents, a mentor, and friend. I cannot recommend enough that my colleagues refer to the Congressional Record of May 14, 1980, and seek out her wise and inspirational words.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to be another voice on the epidemic of gun violence in our country. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida and the gentleman from Illinois for leading us in this Special Order hour. Certainly, to the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, we thank Congressman Steven Horsford for keeping this at the forefront of our agenda. I will begin by saluting the actions of my colleague and friend, Congressman James Clyburn, for leading us in this charge tonight. Listening to him, I remember quite vividly, unfortunately, as I sat in that Charleston, South Carolina, church, the Emanuel AME Church, during the funeral of those killed. Tonight reminds me of the far too many lives--children and adults-- taken by guns in the hands of a killer who should not have had that gun. You will hear it repeatedly, so I won't go through my entire address. Let me just highlight that gun violence continues to serve as a public health crisis. I am horrified to see another devastating act of hateful gun violence in America. Let me join others in giving my thoughts and prayers to the families of the eight innocent people who lost their lives due to this tragic hate crime in Allen, Texas. This story is not a new one, Mr. Speaker. We have seen this play out repeatedly. We are very clear that thoughts and prayers are not enough. I am honored, again, unfortunately, to have to say that I am a colleague and friend of Congresswoman Robin Kelly, and early on, she sat in that front row and said to us that she would no longer stand up and give 60 seconds for someone who has lost their life, whether it was a mass shooting or whether it was a kid in a playground or a kid in a car. Enough is enough. A few weeks ago, I stood in this same spot with the same microphone begging, Mr. Speaker, my Republican colleagues to do more than say to trust in God and let's pray for 60 seconds. Every time we say that, multiple lives are lost in our district. There have been, as we heard earlier, more than 200 mass shootings in 2023. When will it end? How many lives must be lost? How many mass shootings must occur? How many times must we meet here on this floor for another Special Order hour or another moment of silence for families of the victims who have lost their lives? Literally, I am standing here begging my Republican colleagues to join us in passing legislation that will help protect our communities. I have nothing against the Second Amendment. My father was a hunter. I have been around guns all my life. It is not about that. It is about assault weapons. It is about those who should not be able to get a gun without being vetted, without being of proper age, without being able to go in a back alley or to a gun show to buy it. We need legislation like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. We are coming tonight as Democrats with not just rhetoric and not just begging and pleading. We are giving you resolve and action. We need the first gun control action in decades that will advance more lifesaving measures like universal background checks, banning high- capacity magazines, red flag laws, and raising the age to buy assault weapons. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye. Lastly, in my district alone, we have seen a number of lives being lost to gun violence. Over the weekend, three shootings across Columbus injured people, including multiple family members and officers. The American people are demanding action. Mr. Speaker, I say to you: Let it not be about Democrats and Republicans. This is what the American people who elected us are asking us to do. Inaction, Mr. Speaker, should not be an action. They tell us to direct all comments to you. You sit in the chair tonight. I am asking that when you leave this chair and go to your caucus, you have an obligation, I believe, to share with them what you have heard on this floor tonight and what your constituents have said to you. I think if we have any conscience of doing what is right for the American people, we will put gun violence at the forefront of our agenda. We will put people over politics no matter what side of the aisle we sit on. We should come together to do the right thing.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, let me say thank you to my colleagues and my friends for chairing tonight's Special Order hour. To the gentlewoman from Florida and the gentleman from Illinois, I thank them for speaking truth to power. I thank them for reminding us of our history. I thank them for reminding us why we are here tonight as we speak to the Nation. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to stand in solidarity with the members of the Congressional Black Caucus and with the Tennessee Three. I have this raised fist on a poster behind me saying: I stand with the #TennesseeThree. Mr. Speaker, as we speak truth to power tonight in the face of an unspeakable tragedy, in which six Americans--three educators, and three babies 9 years old--were murdered senselessly due to gun violence, the move by the Tennessee legislature to expel these lawmakers for using their voice to speak truth to power is unjust, undemocratic, and un- American. You will hear those words riddled through our Chamber throughout the night. To silence lawmakers for standing up for the will of the people is not democracy. I am glad that my classmate, my colleague, and my friend, Congressman Donald Payne reminded us of April, 7 years ago in this very Chamber, where in a full House we had a sit-in and stopped the Congress in an effort to get laws passed on gun violence, gun reform, because of the number of times we come to this Chamber, we come to the floor's microphone, and we say: 1 minute of silence. We did it today, Mr. Speaker. Democrats and Republicans can come and stand in this Chamber and in a solemn hollow voice beg us to pray for the victims of another mass shooting, beg us to stand together for 1 minute, 60 seconds in it, because lives have been lost to gun violence with assault weapons. Mr. Speaker, I respect the Second Amendment, but I don't respect coming to this floor--and I don't respect the individuals that will not bring gun reform to this floor in legislation that will help us eradicate what we are living through. It is just not fair. If I had my way, I would put a piece of legislation on the House floor that says we can't come to the floor and do a 1-minute when we are losing lives because we can put something in place to make a difference. The expulsion of the State representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, two Black, duly-elected members representing minority districts, makes it clear that racism is still alive and well in this Nation. What happened in Tennessee's legislature was a blow to our democracy. If this can happen in Nashville, it can happen in any community in this country we call America. Republicans in Tennessee's legislature shut down the members for standing up for our children. Mr. Speaker, gun violence is a leading cause of death. Mr. Speaker, gun violence is an epidemic in our country. Inaction, Mr. Speaker, should not be an option. We need more leaders and officials standing on the front lines with the American people to assure them that we are fighting to ban assault weapons, fighting to protect our children, fighting to protect our communities, and yes, fighting to protect our democracy. That is exactly what the Tennessee Three did. Two Black men--young men--and a White woman stood together for justice. They fought to defend our democracy and the power of our voices. And, yes, as you have heard and I imagine will hear repeated again, just yesterday another tragedy occurred in this Nation, taking the lives of four Alabama young people, 16 years old, going to a birthday party. I imagine this week we will come to this floor again, Democrats and Republicans, and acknowledge that this should not have happened, and acknowledge that, again, we should bow our heads for 1 minute, 60 seconds. As a grandmother, as someone who has grandchildren who I hope can live to look to the future, I would hope that we would stand here and say for our children, if not for us as Republicans and Democrats, that we can stand together and come up with some type of legislation for gun reform. Let me end here by saying, yes, we should put gun violence at the forefront of our agenda. Mr. Speaker, it is simple, we should put people over politics because not bringing gun reform to this floor is simply a political maneuver. Let me say, we stand here together as members of the powerful Congressional Black Caucus, and we remind you that you cannot expel justice and you cannot expel our voices.