Joyce Beatty

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, next week, on May 29, 2017, our nation will celebrate Memorial Day, a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States. We set aside this day to pay solemn tribute to the patriots who gave their last full measure of devotion for this country that we love. Let us honor and remember our servicemen and women who answered America's call to service and paid the ultimate price to keep us here at home safe. We honor their loved ones. Mothers. Fathers. Sisters. Brothers. Sons. Daughters. Friends. We thank you for your sacrifice as well. As a grateful nation, we have an obligation and a duty to be there for those who provided the ultimate sacrifice, and for their brothers and sisters in service. Let us never forget our obligation to provide our troops the tools they need to carry out their mission; to care for all those who have served; to honor all those whom we've lost; to keep faith with our military families; to never stop searching for those who are missing, or trying to bring home our prisoners of war. May God bless our fallen heroes and their families and all who serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, this week, as the House of Representatives considers human trafficking legislation, I am proud to continue working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to raise awareness on the heinous practice of human trafficking and to work together to eradicate it from our communities. I thank my friend and classmate, Congresswoman Ann Wagner of Missouri (MO-02) for organizing tonight's Special Order Hour. Human trafficking--where people profit from the control and exploitation of others--occurs both here at home and abroad on a daily basis. In fact, the International Labour Organization estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of human trafficking globally--68% of them are trapped in forced labor, 26% of them are children, and 55% are women and girls. And in my home state of Ohio, human trafficking for sex and labor is on the rise. According to recent reports from the Polaris Project, a nonprofit that tracks trafficking in the U.S. and abroad, 375 Ohio trafficking cases were reported from 1,352 calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline in 2016. In 2015, there were 289 cases based on 1,070 calls. The 2016 numbers reflect a nearly four-fold increase over the Ohio figures from 2013. While the overall increase in reporting can be partly attributed to greater awareness of the national hotline, we know, and officials confirm, that trafficking is, unfortunately, chronically under- reported. We must do more to help trafficking victims and to encourage people when they see something that looks like an individual is being trafficked, that they say something. Victims of human trafficking often live in the shadows of our society, so it is up to all of us to help identify and rescue victims of trafficking. While human trafficking spans all demographics, there are some circumstances or vulnerabilities that lead to a higher susceptibility to victimization. Runaway and homeless youth, as well as victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, are frequently targeted by traffickers. Men and women, boys and girls, who are all alone, abused, and often believe they have nowhere to go. Well, we can help. We must do more to assist victims of trafficking and provide them with the services and treatment necessary to regain control of their lives. We must also ensure the investigation and prosecution of human trafficking crimes is focused on the traffickers, the people assisting the traffickers, and the purchasers--the individuals who are the real criminals in the enterprise. Almost two years ago, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act--or the JVTA--was signed into law. The JVTA is helping to update efforts to combat the scourge of human trafficking and provided essential resources to survivors and law enforcement officials. I am proud to have had a provision included in this comprehensive legislation and to have taken part in its drafting, passage, and enactment. Mr. Speaker, since the JVTA's enactment, we have witnessed important achievements, but we cannot stop here. We must continue to work together to eradicate human trafficking and support the victims. Tonight, I pledge to continue to working with my colleagues to raise awareness and fight back against human trafficking, because as we all know, one victim of human trafficking is one too many.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to May being National Mental Health Awareness month, a nationwide initiative that aims to raise awareness and fight the stigmas associated with mental health illnesses. Nearly 44 million American adults, and millions of children experience mental health conditions each year, including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress. Although we have made great progress expanding access to mental health treatment with the passage of the Affordable Health Care Act, too many people still do not get the help they need. Despite the availability of treatment, the stigma associated with mental illness continues to keep millions of Americans from getting the treatment they need. Mr. Speaker, we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to our citizen's mental health needs, because according to a study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, mental illnesses cost America over $193.2 billion in lost earnings every year. Congress must work together to ensure people living with mental illness know that they are not alone, that hope exists, and that the possibility of healing and thriving is achievable. We should be sure that our budget, which we will be debating in the coming weeks, includes adequate funding to help.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of May as Stroke Awareness Month. As a stroke survivor, I understand the magnitude of this disease and the hundreds of thousands of lives it touches in American families each year. We know that the risk of stroke increases each year, but strokes can and do occur at any age. In fact, every 40 seconds, someone in the United States suffers a stroke; and every 4 minutes, someone dies from a stroke. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States, killing nearly 130,000 Americans per year. To help raise awareness on how stroke affects Americans across all ages, races, and demographics, today I am reintroducing my resolution recognizing May as Stroke Awareness Month. The resolution aims to enhance public awareness by urging and continuing the coordination and cooperation among researchers, families, and advocates for improving treatment for individuals who suffer stroke. Together, we can combat this illness and work together toward long-term solutions to prevent, treat, and improve the lives of those suffering from stroke. I thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Tiberi) for joining me as an original cosponsor of this bipartisan effort. Mr. Speaker, I ask others to please sign on.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with hundreds of business, labor, and advocacy organizations to recognize National Infrastructure Week. The purpose of this week is to highlight the state of the Nation's infrastructure and its critical importance to our economy and well-being. Building and strengthening our infrastructure is vital to all of us, but it oftentimes goes unnoticed. Our Nation's deteriorating infrastructure is hampering our ability to compete in the thriving global economy and create jobs that our Nation needs. As an example, in my home State of Ohio, we face significant challenges: 17 percent of the public roads are in poor condition, and almost 7 percent of all the bridges are structurally deficient. Mr. Speaker, we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to our Nation's infrastructure needs. Congress must work together to upgrade our Nation's highways, bridges, airports, water systems, energy grid, broadband network, and the like so that our economy can continue to lead the world in the 21st century and beyond.

Ms. BEATTY

Ms. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition of the Working Families Flexibility Act, H.R. 1180. Mr. Speaker, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) already allows employers to let their employees earn paid time off. That is why the bill passed by the House earlier this week, the Working Families Flexibility Act, H.R. 1180, would hurt working families by giving workers less time off, less flexibility and less pay. Many workers frequently rely on their overtime earnings to make ends meet to help put food on the table, keep a roof over their families' heads, and pay bills. Instead of paying workers for their overtime work, H.R. 1180 would permit employers to replace employees' overtime pay with vague promises that employees may be able to take comp time off at some unknown point in the future. But the employer, not the employee, would decide when that time off is granted. This bill provides no guarantees that workers could take their earned time off when they need it. Employers could also unilaterally decide to ``cash out'' comp time in excess of 80 hours or discontinue their entire comp time program with just 30 days' notice. This means that an employee's carefully crafted plan to bank time for a child's birth or a spouse's surgery could be thwarted by an employer's decision to cash out the employee's time or end the program all together. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a bad deal for working families. It would strip employees of rights that the FLSA has provided for nearly 75 years. If Republicans truly care about working families, they would support and help pass the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY Act), H.R. 947, which would create a national paid leave insurance program modeled after the successful programs in California, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. If Republicans truly care about working families, they would support and help pass legislation like Schedules That Work Act introduced by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro in the 114th Congress. The Schedules That Work Act would give workers more control over their schedules and incentivize predictability and stability in shifts and work hours. If Republicans truly care about working families, they would support and help pass the soon to be introduced Raise the Wage Act sponsored by Congressman Bobby Scott. The Raise the Wage Act increases minimum wage, including the elimination of sub-minimum ``tipped'' wage, which would lift 37.7 millions workers out of poverty. People should not have to work more than 40 hours in a week and forgo pay to earn time to care for themselves or their loved ones. I join my Democratic colleagues in fighting to protect attacks on pay and benefits for working class families instead, and will vote no on H.R. 1180.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to the Republicans' latest version of Trumpcare. Trumpcare will cover fewer people, provide weaker protections, and result in higher costs. Trumpcare will eviscerate essential health benefits and protections for pre-existing conditions and make it all but impossible for millions of Americans fighting illness to afford the health coverage they desperately need. Trumpcare will mean higher costs for less coverage. It will result in 24 million hard-working Americans losing health coverage. It will destroy protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions and gut Essential Health Benefits, such as maternity, prescription drug coverage, and emergency coverage. Trumpcare will create a crushing age tax--it will force Americans aged 50-64 to pay premiums five times higher than what others pay for health coverage, no matter how healthy they are. Mr. Speaker, healthcare should be a right for all, not just the privileged few. I will vote against Trumpcare and urge all my colleagues to vote no.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Co-Chair of the House Financial and Economic Literacy Caucus in recognition of Financial Literacy Month. Every day, Americans are faced with financial decisions that impact their lives and their families. That is why promoting financial and economic literacy is so important and why we draw attention to it each and every April. Financial literacy is a lifelong journey, whether writing a monthly budget, managing your credit, or saving for retirement, every American needs to understand the basic principles of planning, saving and investing for the future. In that spirit, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor/support bipartisan House Resolution 243, which promotes the ideals and goals of Financial Literacy Month, and to also participate in tomorrow's Financial Literacy Day on the Hill. Let's ensure more Americans can build a better financial future this Financial Literacy Month and all year round.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my Ohio colleagues to congratulate Congressman Steve Stivers on his promotion from colonel to brigadier general of the Ohio Army National Guard. His promotion comes after more than 30 years in the National Guard. He is now one of the highest ranking National Guard members to also serve as a Member of Congress. Congressman Stivers served the United States overseas during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait, Iraq, and Djibouti where he was awarded the Bronze Star for leadership throughout the deployment. We are proud to have him leading the National Guard soldiers who protect us at home and abroad. Congressman Stivers, on behalf of the Ohio delegation and the citizens we represent, congratulations on this distinguished honor. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to call Steve a colleague and Ohioan and a friend.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, on April 5, 2017, I was unavoidably absent due to a family medical emergency and missed roll call votes 217-220. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll call vote 217: On ordering the previous question: NAY Roll call vote 218: On agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 242: NAY Roll call vote 219: On Motion to Table the Appeal of the Ruling of the Chair: NAY Roll call vote 220: On final passage of H.R. 1304--Self-Insurance Protection Act: YEA

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, over 50 years ago, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Equal Pay Act, landmark legislation which requires that men and women in the same workplace be given equal pay for equal work. Unfortunately, equal pay for equal work has not become a reality. In fact, women are paid between 79 and 80 cents for every dollar that men are paid for doing the exact same job. In fact, it takes women until tomorrow, April 4, to earn what men were paid in the previous year. For women of color, the gap is even wider. In 2015, African-American women made 65 cents for every dollar earned by their White male counterparts. For Hispanic women, it is even worse. They earn 58 cents for every dollar earned by their White male counterparts. Women pay a huge price because of the wage gap. Today, families rely increasingly on women's wages to make ends meet; and with less take- home pay, women have less money to cover the everyday needs of their family. Mr. Speaker, it is time for Congress to right the wrong. Let's pass the Paycheck Fairness Act and send it to the President's desk for signature.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my opposition to TrumpCare and my strong support for the Affordable Care Act. Since the ACA was enacted seven years ago, more than 20 million Americans have gained access to affordable and high quality health insurance, including nearly one million Ohioans. We thought 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions would be able to keep their health care coverage. We thought 105 million Americans would no longer have to worry about annual or lifetime limits. Yet, we are here today winding back the clock on all the progress we have made based on a bill that wasn't released to the public until last night. What's the rush to pass a bill that affects so many people without letting the public view it? What's the rush to pass a bill that affects so many people without a new CBO score? Mr. Speaker, we know that TrumpCare will cause Americans to pay more for less coverage. We know that TrumpCare will provide a massive tax cut to the super rich 400 families and leave the other 99.9 percent of people behind. We know that TrumpCare will cause 24 million Americans to lose their health insurance, including tens of thousands of my constituents in the Third Congressional District of Ohio. We know that TrumpCare will slash Medicaid funding by $880 billion. We also know that TrumpCare will put 13 million children, people with disabilities and adults just one emergency visit away from financial catastrophe. Mr. Speaker, these cuts hurt people all across the country. TrumpCare will not make healthcare more affordable. Democrats believe healthcare is a right, not a privilege. I join my colleagues in fighting for affordable healthcare for all Americans. I will vote no, and urge all my colleagues to vote no as well.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the Universal Health Care Action Network, also known as UHCAN, for their energy and advocacy to protect the Affordable Care Act. I was honored to join UHCAN in a town hall where we presented our message to men, women, families, and children from across central Ohio who were eager to organize. Do you know why? To save the health care for more than 22 million newly insured Americans, including nearly 1 million Ohioans, who gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act. We heard personal stories, stories from Laura, Mindy, Rachel, and Kevin Rhodes--who was my guest at the joint session of Congress right here--on how the Affordable Care Act was saving their lives. Mr. Speaker, yet, here we are tomorrow, on the seventh anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, preparing to repeal and replace it with Republican care; legislation which would push 24 million Americans off their healthcare coverage, and give massive tax breaks to 400 superwealthy families, while the rest of us, we pay more for less. Mr. Speaker, I join my constituents and Americans across the country who oppose Republican care. Join me tomorrow and say ``no.''

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of International Women's Day and to join the countless women across this Nation in participating today and, yes, dressed in red to celebrate our achievements of women across the world in many fields. I stand with the women today to highlight the economic injustices women face: unequal pay, unpaid leave, gender discrimination, and the list goes on. Oh, yes, to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Women are the primary breadwinners. Six out of 10 American women are paid only 80 cents on the dollar, and for women of color like me, 64 cents. But today it is so important for us to say we are faced with the dangerous and irresponsible repeal of the Affordable Care Act, which will once again make being a female a preexisting condition and take away access to free preventative services like mammograms and cervical cancer screening. You should ask yourself: Why are they doing this markup without hearings? You should ask yourself: Why should families pay more? Why should those with disabilities and preexisting conditions pay more? Why should billionaires benefit more? Stand with us women on International Women's Day.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, some would conclude that Black History Month comes to a close because we are at the end of February, but the Congressional Black Caucus wants the Nation to know that we are prepared to share our agenda all year long. The Congressional Black Caucus comes to the House floor tonight to commemorate those brave men and women who came before us to fight for justice, equality, civil rights, and voting rights for all. These are men and women who shaped our Nation in the hope it would one day become a more perfect Union for all Americans, no matter their creed or color. I want to thank our Congressional Black Caucus chairman, Congressman Cedric Richmond, and our Special Order Hour coanchors, Congresswoman Stacy Plaskett and Congressman Marc Veasey, my classmate, for hosting tonight's important discussion. Mr. Speaker, you see, I grew up reading about soldiers of justice like Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Nat Turner, Crispus Attucks, and so many more. Then, Mr. Speaker, I lived through the legacy of legends and civil rights leaders like Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Coretta Scott King, Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Fannie Lou Hamer, all heroes and sheroes that allowed me to stand on their shoulders, to stand with them to continue to fight for justice and equality. Today, we stand up during Black History Month, as 49 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, 49 strong, making our place in American history as African Americans, members like the iconic Assistant Leader James Clyburn, who you will hear from tonight; Congressman John Lewis; Chairman Cedric Richmond; Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who serves as the ranking member on the prestigious Financial Services Committee; Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, the 21st national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Senator Kamala Harris, the second Black woman to serve in the United States Senate; Congresswoman Robin Kelly, chairwoman of our healthcare brain trust; and so many more who serve in Congress, and who served as mayors of cities, mayors like Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, and so many more. You see, Mr. Speaker, we are a part of that history. We are fighting. And so I tell you, I end with one of my favorite quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr.: ``The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.'' Well, Mr. Speaker, it is clear that we are in a challenging time with the new Trump administration, and so I say to you, we are fighting, we are uniting in a movement to fight for our democracy.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, on February 7, 2017, I did not cast my vote on roll call votes No. 81 and No. 82. Had I been present, I would have voted ``NAY'' on both votes. On February 14, 2017, I was unavoidably absent due to illness and unable to cast my votes on roll call votes Nos. 88 through 92. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll call vote 88 on ordering the previous question; NAY; Roll call vote 89 on agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 99; NAY; Roll call vote 90 on ordering the previous question: NAY; Roll call vote 91 on agreeing to the Resolution, H. Res. 116: NAY; Roll call vote 92 on final passage of H.R. 428, the Red River Gradient Boundary Survey Act; NAY.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, today, I salute Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. For 104 years and counting, Deltas have been strong advocates for our communities, the nation and around the globe. As a proud Delta myself, I had the honor to speak over the weekend to my fellow Sorors at the Columbus Alumnae Chapter's 2017 Founders Day Luncheon. On Saturday, February 11th, I joined a room full of women standing up for civil rights and voting rights, equal pay for equal work, financial literacy, and high-quality education for all children. Women committed to fighting for the 30 million newly-insured Americans through the Affordable Care Act as well as seniors and individuals with disabilities who rely on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Yes, we the more than 200,000 strong, representing 1,000 chapters around the world, are working to honor our rich past by focusing on the future. Thanks to the amazing leadership of Columbus Chapter President Deidra Reese and National President Dr. Paulette Walker, that future looks brighter than ever. Go Deltas.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. The Go Red for Women campaign is an incredible public awareness initiative, spearheaded by the American Heart Association to promote heart-healthy lifestyles. We have great results. Since Go Red for Women started in 2004, more than 627,000 women's lives have been saved, and I am so proud that I was an initiator and supporter of Go Red for Women in my great State of Ohio in the capital city of Columbus. Yes, we have made great progress, Mr. Speaker, but we still have a long way to go in helping to prevent cardiovascular disease, including stroke. Cardiovascular diseases claim more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined, and it is just not women, Mr. Speaker. That includes men, also. However, women do have a higher risk of stroke than their male counterparts. In fact, 90 percent of all women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. Collectively, cardiovascular disease and stroke cause one in three women's death each year, killing approximately one woman every minute. Yet, even with these eye-catching statistics, according to the American Heart Association, almost half of all the women, Mr. Speaker, are not aware of heart disease, and that it is the leading cause of death for women. For African American women like me, the risk of heart disease is far greater. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for African American women, killing almost 50,000 annually. Of African American women ages 20 and older, 49 percent have heart disease, but only 1 in 5 African American women believe they are personally at risk. Mr. Speaker, I was one of them. I suffered a cerebral brain stem stroke in 1999. But after my personal experience, I decided to do something about it. I decided to get more engaged, and I am so proud to say that I was appointed to serve on the American Heart Association Board, and at that time, I was the only non-healthcare professional or cardiovascular physician on the board. That is why, Mr. Speaker, when I came to Congress, I decided that I would be engaged, and I became the co-chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, where my colleagues and I work very hard to raise the awareness about the prevalence and the severity of cardiovascular disease. Last Congress, Mr. Speaker, I introduced the Return to Work Awareness Act, which would assist survivors of stroke and other debilitating health occurrences to be able to return to work. Mr. Speaker, I will always be an active participant in education and awareness. I will reintroduce that important piece of legislation this month, during American Heart Month, and I invite all my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, to join me in sponsoring this piece of legislation. This month, as we celebrate American Heart Month, let us recommit ourselves to becoming more educated about cardiovascular diseases, improving our heart health, and continuing to fight against this devastating disease. Today, Mr. Speaker, I want the Nation to know that women will stand on the Capitol steps, and we will have our photo taken, all dressed in red, because we want to stand united to help educate this Nation, that if we stand together, maybe, just maybe, we can send a strong signal to America that we can fight against this disease. I want to personally thank Nancy Brown for allowing me to serve with her on the Board, and welcome the new CEO, Steven Houser, and so many of the volunteers across this Nation and the leaders because we know, Mr. Speaker, that we need to recognize all Americans who are battling heart disease and express gratitude to all of them.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. I thank the gentleman, my classmate and colleague, Congressman Veasey. And to my colleague, Congresswoman Stacy Plaskett, thank you for convening tonight's Special Order for the Congressional Black Caucus. Mr. Speaker, we are here for two topics tonight, and you will see many of us come and talk about these topics. So to my colleagues, let me just cut my message short and say that we are here because we all witnessed, over the weekend, President Trump's latest executive order barring immigrants, refugees, and legal permanent residents from seven Muslim-majority countries. This has set off a protest across the Nation. I was so proud that I was able to stand in my Third Congressional District with families and individuals protesting his unilateral move that is not making us safe. It flies in the face of the values and the freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. Mr. Speaker, I am here because we had individuals in my district who were held in the New York airport, while many others weren't freed like they were. That is why I will continue to stand up to President Trump and stand with my people. We are also here tonight to respond to another unsubstantiated but extremely dangerous claim made by President Trump. We know that last week he doubled down on his assertion that he would have `` . . . won the popular vote,'' Mr. Speaker, ``if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally.'' Obviously not satisfied with winning the Electoral College, Trump continues to focus on defending his national popular vote loss of almost 3 million votes. He now believes, without any evidence to support his claim, that 3 to 5 million people voted fraudulently in the 2016 election. While this was par for the course for the Trump campaign, but now that he is in the White House, Mr. Speaker, he intends to make this voter fraud untruth the subject of an actual government investigation mandated by a soon-to-be executive order, wasting untold amounts of taxpayer dollars. Well, when the Congressional Black Caucus hears people using terms like ``voter fraud,'' ``illegally voted,'' and ``strengthening up voting procedures,'' we read between the lines; and that is why we are here tonight to stand up against voter fraud that he is saying, because we know it is voter suppression.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, on January 23, 2017, I missed roll call vote 60 due to unavoidable delay. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on final passage of H.R. 423, the Anti-Spoofing Act.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, Sunday, our country recognizes the eighth anniversary of the landmark Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which former President Obama signed into law on January 29, 2009. Congress passed and President Obama signed this legislation into law, the first of his Administration, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 550 U.S. 618 (2007), that severely restricted the time period for filing pay discrimination complaints against one's employer. In the underlying case, Lilly Ledbetter, a production supervisor at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber plant in Gadsden, Alabama, discovered that she was being paid less than her male counterparts for nearly two decades. Then and there, she made the decision to fight back for paycheck equality. Unfortunately, the U.S. Supreme Court undercut her fight in ruling that Ledbetter could not bring a wage discrimination suit under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 simply because she did not file her claim within 180 days of a discriminatory salary decision. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling, Ledbetter's fight was not in vain because Congress, in 2009, passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which helps ensure fair pay for all Americans by expanding the time period in which employees may challenge an employer's compensation decision. Because of this law, women today have the right to pursue legal action for pay discrimination--whenever it occurs. Unfortunately, equal pay for equal work has not become a reality. In 2015, the pay gap between men and women still remains, as women made only 83 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts. And for women of color, that gap is even wider. During the same time, African-American women made 65 cents to every dollar earned by men. Hispanic women, faring even worse than black women, made only 58 cents to every dollar earned by their White male counterparts. Pay disparities not only affect women during their careers, but follows them into retirement, reducing pensions and Social Security benefits because of a lifetime of lower wages and less money to invest. This negative impact is lasting because it affects generations yet unborn. As we mark this anniversary, let us recommit ourselves to ending discrimination against women in all forms. In the 115th Congress, I will proudly join the Democratic Caucus in continuing the fight for equal pay for equal work, investment in employment opportunities for women, and raising the minimum wage. Because as we know, when ``Women Succeed, America Succeeds.''

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Stacy Plaskett, for leading tonight's Special Order hour, joined by her cochair, Congressman Marc Veasey, and also my classmate. Let me say to our chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Cedric Richmond for bringing this Special Order hour here tonight. So much has been said already. But let me say how honored I am to join my colleagues as we address and talk about ``A Response to President Trump's Inaugural Address and New Deal for African Americans.'' Like so many of my colleagues tonight, Mr. Speaker, and the countless Americans who are watching at home, I remain deeply concerned and troubled about several of the statements that Mr. Trump made and also about the stances of Mr. Trump's Cabinet members, comments about minorities and women and immigrants, and, of course, comments about our own colleague Congressman John Lewis. Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, in Trump's inaugural address, he did nothing to ease those concerns or to unite us. On the contrary, all I heard on Friday was another campaign speech of more of the same divisive rhetoric and recycled ideas from his campaign trail, ideas like the new deal for Black America that he mentioned on the campaign trail, a proposal that you have heard a lot about tonight that embraces the same trickle-down economic assumptions that didn't work for African Americans in the past and certainly won't work today. Mr. Speaker, during his campaign speech, Trump talked about gangs roaming the streets and how African American communities are being decimated by crime. He went so far as to say, overwhelmingly, the majority of Black people living in inner cities in the United States are ``living in hell.'' Well, Mr. Speaker, I want President Trump to know that I am Black. I grew up in the United States inner city, but I didn't live in hell. And here I stand now, educated in the public schools, attended a historically Black university and college, and I am a Member of the United States Congress. Mr. Trump said: ``We are one Nation--and their pain is our pain. Their dreams are our dreams, and their success will be our success.'' He was referencing mothers and children strapped in poverty in our inner cities. He was referencing rusted out factories scattered like tombstones across the landscape of our Nation, and an education system flush with cash but leaving our young students deprived of knowledge. Well, Mr. Speaker, I want to see his plans for public education. I want to see his plans for inner-city students. I want to see his plans flush with all that cash that he talked about going into our public schools. I want us to unite to help eradicate the cycle of poverty and eliminate the too-often traveled pipeline from underperforming schools to overcrowded prisons. I want to see Mr. Trump's plan on criminal justice reform. I want a fair Attorney General vetted and confirmed because they will stand up every single day for equal rights of all Americans, for freedom of speech, for freedom to vote, and much more--not an Attorney General who lacks the ability to represent disenfranchised groups, not someone who fails to champion the least of us. I have not seen those things in nominee Sessions. Lastly, I want Cabinet members who will be champions for our seniors--people like my 92-year-old mother. I want Cabinet members who will stand up for minorities and minority businesses. See, we need greater assistance in minority businesses and funds for minority business. I want Cabinet members who will build on and strengthen our healthcare system--yes, to make it greater, not to take away health care from 30 million people. Let me just say that I want to plan for workforce development programs and reentry training programs for those laid-off factory workers. I want to see plans for mothers and families because we certainly know, when women succeed, America succeeds. Yes, Mr. Speaker. I dare ask that women get equal pay for equal work. I don't want recycled, failed policies that will do nothing to heal our communities. I am proud to be a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. We are the conscience of the Congress. Let me end by saying that there are so many programs. We have a task force on poverty, led by Congresswoman Barbara Lee. I won't repeat the program that Assistant Democratic Leader Clyburn has already introduced--the 10-20-30 plan. Let me again thank my colleagues for bringing their powerful voices to this floor. Mr. Speaker, it is incumbent upon all of us to join the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, the entire House Democratic Caucus, and all Americans of every color--in standing up to President Trump and continuing to let him know, as our preamble of the Constitution says-- to form a more perfect Union for all Americans.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, January 16, 2017, our nation will signify the tremendous life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Each year, on the third Monday in January, we remember and celebrate a man who led a non-violent movement that urged our country to become more fair and more just and provide equal opportunity for all. As our nation honors the life of Dr. King, I call to mind his statement, ``Life's most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?'' This year, on what would have been his eighty-eighth birthday, countless people in my home state of Ohio are answering his call to serve by advocating for civil rights and greater access and equal opportunity at the ballot box, inspiring the next generation of community and national leaders, helping the sick, elderly, and poor and many more profound acts of service. Like Dr. King, they understand the power and impact of service--not just on our community and State, but on our entire country and across the world. We all need to be more and do more for others and to promote unity and peace. This is of what Dr. King dreamed. Because this day isn't meant to be a ``day off,'' it is meant to be a ``day on'': a day on of service. In that spirit, as we celebrate the thirty-first MLK Day of Service, I challenge all Americans to make a difference in their community. Indeed, that is how we can best honor Dr. King's legacy and how we make his dream--where we are not judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character--a reality for all people. Happy Birthday Dr. King. He should be pleased his legacy endures.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, what is the message? I rise today because I am fighting for Medicare, and I oppose any attempts to balance the budget on the backs of seniors by privatizing Medicare. For over 50 years, Medicare has guaranteed health care to all Americans 65 years or older and continues to do so for more than 50 million Americans today. Seniors, like my constituent Linda and her mother, who rely on Medicare for their healthcare needs, do not want Republicans to dismantle it. What is the message, Mr. Speaker? In my home State of Ohio, about 2 million seniors and disabled individuals, including 1 million women, 260,000 African Americans, are at risk of losing their Medicare benefits if Republicans privatize it. Mr. Speaker, I am here to fight for Linda, her mother, for Janet and Mary and Robert and many other seniors who count on Medicare for their doctor's visits, their prescription assistance, and many other medical needs. Mr. Speaker, what is the message? We cannot let our seniors down. Democrats will fight to preserve Medicare to protect our seniors for generations to come.

Mrs. BEATTY

Mrs. BEATTY. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor today to join my colleagues from the great State of Ohio. I come here because we have a statement that we want to make to voice to not only the citizens of Ohio but to this great country. I am honored to join Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge, two women who have been in the battle for our citizens, but, more importantly, for our students, for education, and for our teachers. So today, Mr. Speaker, I demand that Betsy DeVos, President-elect Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, repay the $5.3 million-- yes, Mr. Speaker, I am going to say that again--$5.3 million in fines owed by her political action committee, All Children Matter, to my home State of Ohio. The PAC's contempt for Ohio campaign finance laws by illegally funneling contributions from a nationwide PAC to an unregistered Ohio affiliate is troublesome. And its refusal to pay these fines to the State of Ohio is disgraceful as the debt is nearly a decade old. Can you imagine what would happen if a student refused to pay something that they owed to a university or to the State? I don't have to answer that. We all know what would happen. Mr. Speaker, I ask: How can the public trust Ms. DeVos to ensure borrowers repay their student loans in a timely manner when the group she chaired failed to pay fines that were imposed nearly a decade ago? The fines owed to the State of Ohio--the $5.3 million--belongs to the taxpayers of Ohio. And every time, Mr. Speaker, I say $5.3 million, I am going to say it twice because she owes $5.3 million that belongs to the taxpayers of Ohio. This is money that could be used to pay for more teachers and other initiatives to help educate Ohio's children. We cannot let her skirt the system and cheat Ohio taxpayers. No, we cannot let her be nominated and confirmed to be over our educational system. I urge her to repay the $5.3 million in fines prior to her Senate confirmation hearing next week.