Nanette Barragán

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans are coming after the food benefits of disabled veterans who receive food assistance or SNAP, part-time college students and single moms on SNAP. House Republicans' farm bill would make the largest cuts to SNAP and food assistance programs in 30 years. Many American families are on the brink. They rely on SNAP to put food on the table. Eighty-six percent of all SNAP benefits go to households that have children or households with older Americans or individuals with disabilities. As chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I am also concerned about the harm SNAP cuts will bring to communities of color, including Latinos. Forty percent of Latino adults report not having enough food to eat, more than any other ethnic or racial group. Over 5 million Latinos in the United States receive SNAP to put food on the table. Right now, a single person will receive at most $9 in SNAP assistance for food per day. To those in need, $9 can determine whether they can eat that day. Three square meals a day should not be a partisan debate. Without SNAP, hungry Americans will be forced to choose between food to eat and necessities like electricity, running water, or medication. It is a cruel and inhumane choice we should not force on the American people. House Democrats will continue to fight to preserve and expand access to SNAP so that no family goes hungry. Mr. Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues to put people over politics and join House Democrats to protect SNAP. We must stand together for compassion, dignity, and the well-being of all Americans.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I rise today to oppose H.R. 7109. It is a bill that threatens equal and fair representation of immigrant communities. This bill requires a citizenship question on the U.S. Census, which directly undermines the Constitution's mandate for a fair and accurate count of all residents. This requirement would deprive tens of millions of immigrants their rightful access to representation and resources, even though they pay taxes and contribute to our economy. A citizenship question would have a chilling effect on participation in the Census. Its accuracy would be destroyed. The Census count affects where the Federal Government appropriates funds and resources to our communities. Republicans are effectively saying: If you are not a citizen in this country, you don't count. Even legal permanent residents, you don't count. This is absurd. Let me be clear. Immigrants are the backbone of this economy. They work the fields, they build our cities, and they contribute tirelessly to the fabric of our society. They pay over half a trillion dollars in taxes, including taxes for Social Security and Medicare, even though undocumented immigrants can't receive benefits. Despite their invaluable contributions, Republicans want to deny immigrant communities access to even more vital services and resources that they help fund through their hard-earned tax dollars. As Representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure that all members of our communities are treated with dignity and respect. Every individual, regardless of their immigration status, should have the opportunity to thrive, but H.R. 7109 does the opposite. A citizenship question on the Census threatens to further marginalize immigrant communities. An undercount of the immigrant population would not only result in an unfair distribution of resources, but it will also undermine the very foundation of our democracy--that is fair representation from our government. I urge our colleagues to reject this extreme Republican bill and instead focus on policies that uplift and empower all members of our society.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the name of freedom, the freedom that women should have to make decisions about their own bodies and have that ability, a sacred freedom that House Republicans are fighting to take away from your mother, your sister, your daughters, and every woman in America. This week, Republicans are holding votes to say the government should not be involved in households having more efficient appliances, yet they have no problem saying government should tell women what to do with their bodies and limit their access to women's healthcare. While House Democrats will continue to fight to restore Roe v. Wade so women have the freedom over their bodies, we must call out the extreme Republican agenda that is focused on a nationwide ban to access women's reproductive healthcare. This assault on women and our freedoms is already underway in many Republican-led States where women are now subject to cruel abortion bans which have brought fear and danger, but also have brought heartbreaking experiences that will have lasting impacts. For example, in Mississippi, a 12-year-old rape victim was forced to carry a baby to term. In Ohio, a woman was criminally charged for having a miscarriage after she went to the hospital to seek care when her doctor said that the fetus was not viable. Republican-controlled States throughout the South and Midwest have passed extreme laws that leave no options for women to access reproductive healthcare. These women have no choice but to travel hundreds of miles to a State where access to care is still available. A Missouri woman had to travel to Illinois to save her own life after both the States of Missouri and Kansas health systems refused to provide care when her water broke at just 4 months and doctors said she was at risk of losing her uterus. Mothers who cannot afford to travel out of State for reproductive care have been forced to endure painful pregnancies and risk their own lives when advised of serious consequences. Bans make access to reproductive care unobtainable for low-income women, many of whom are Latinas and other women of color. Over 6.7 million Latina women live in States that have banned, or are likely to ban, abortions. More than 3 million of these women come from families that earn below 200 percent of the poverty line. Access to reproductive healthcare is a women's rights issue, and it is a racial justice issue. Republicans in Congress also want to strip women of their fundamental right to decide when to start a family. Just look at their policies and their voting records. Mr. Speaker, 127 House Republicans are cosponsors of a bill that will threaten access to IVF nationwide and have blocked legislation by Democrats that would protect IVF access, and 195 House Republicans have voted against legal contraception. House Republicans voted unanimously against the restoration of Roe v. Wade. Moreover, extreme MAGA Republicans plan to go further and let States monitor women who are pregnant to restrict their ability to access reproductive care. House Democrats will not stand by and let MAGA Republicans restrict the freedom of women from getting the lifesaving care they need. We will continue to fight to make reproductive freedom the law of the land and allow women to make decisions about their own healthcare again.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Parkinson's Awareness Month. Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that makes it a challenge to move, speak, and perform everyday tasks we often take for granted. Parkinson's slowly robs people of their independence and mobility. Nearly 1 million people in the U.S. live with this heartbreaking disease, and my father was one of them. I watched him battle Parkinson's for the last 10 years of his life. I also want to recognize our colleague, Jennifer Wexton, who shared last year that she was diagnosed with a form of atypical parkinsonism, PSP. She has shared her story and been a strong advocate of the National Plan to End Parkinson's Act, which passed the House as the first-ever legislation solely dedicated to ending Parkinson's. The House has done its job. I call on the Senate to pass this bipartisan bill. Together, let's honor our caregivers, advocate for research and better treatments, and create a future where Parkinson's is overcome.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Baltimore for today's special hour. On March 26 in the early hours of the morning, I remember watching in horror as a cargo ship ran into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. As we all assess what happened, how we will rebuild and what the impact of its collapse will have on trade and ports like mine in Los Angeles, let us stop and take a moment to recognize the lives lost that night. As we watched in horror, we did not know that 185 feet above the river on that bridge in the dark of night that there was a construction crew bravely working to fix potholes so the 30,000 motorists who crossed the bridge each day could do so safely. Six members of the construction crew died or are presumed dead. We have come to learn something that is of no surprise to me, they were immigrants who came to America for a better life, for an opportunity to provide for their family--much like my own parents. Today we stand in solemn remembrance of them. In their honor, we not only mourn their loss but celebrate the invaluable contributions that immigrants like them make to the American economy and society. Let us first remember, Maynor Suaza Sandoval, a father of two from Honduras. He came to the U.S. when he was 18 years old. He was an entrepreneur who came to the United States and worked three jobs to provide a better life for his family. He was described by family as ``a joyful person'' and ``a generous man'' who sent money to his hometown soccer team in Honduras. He also contributed to his community by working with the nonprofit immigrant organization, CASA. He is survived by his wife, and two children, ages 5 and 18. Jose Mynor Lopez, also left behind his homeland in Guatemala to seek a better life in America. He worked hard to provide for his family and was a wonderful husband to his wife, Isabel, and a caring father and stepfather to his four children. Miguel Luna, from El Salvador, was a proud immigrant and father of six, who worked in his spare time with CASA to help other immigrants from Central America create a better life for their families in the United States. Dorlian Castillo Cabrera moved here from Guatemala to support his mother, Marlon. He loved his job and worked hard to give his mom a comfortable life in America. Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, a father of four from Mexico, was working to help his sister join his family here in the United States. And finally, we remember Carlos Hernandez, a 24-year-old construction worker from Mexico, who is the nephew of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes. He died with his uncle on that bridge. Minutes before the bridge collapse, Carlos left a voicemail for his girlfriend, Jasmine saying, ``yes, my love, we just poured the cement and we're just waiting for it to dry.'' His shift was almost over, and he was looking forward to heading home to see her. They had planned to get married in a few months and start a family. These men came to this country in pursuit of a better life and to support their families. They made a critical contribution to maintain our Nation's infrastructure. Their loss underscores the risky jobs Latinos and immigrants endure to build and maintain our infrastructure, produce food, and keep our country running. Latinos and immigrants are often demonized for political purposes. It is wrong. As Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, we will continue to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that prioritizes the safety, dignity, and rights of all immigrants, regardless of their status. As we reflect on the lives of Jose, Miguel, Maynor, Dorlian, Alejandro, and Carlos, let us also recognize the countless other immigrants who, like them, contribute immeasurably to the fabric of our Nation. From the fields to the factories, from the construction sites to the corner stores, immigrants are the backbone of the American economy. Let us honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the bridge collapse by committing ourselves to building a nation where all people, regardless of their background, can pursue their dreams and achieve their full potential. We say to those lost: ``May you Rest in Peace.'' ``Decansen en Paz.''

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, today Congress will consider the EXPLORE Act. It is a bipartisan bill that will improve outdoor access and recreation opportunities for Americans. This legislation includes my bill, the Outdoors for All Act, which updates the Outdoor Legacy Partnership program and codifies it into law. I am proud to lead this bipartisan bill with my House colleague, Representative Michael Turner. With Outdoors for All, we protect the urban park funding in the Outdoor Legacy Partnership program. We modernize the program to include Tribes, smaller cities, and to fully account for the benefit parks provide. Access to urban parks and the outdoors is a bipartisan issue because every community wants parks for its residents. Urban parks are good for our economy, our environment, and our physical and mental health. However, not every community has access to parks, especially low- income communities and communities of color. This is a challenge in my district in Los Angeles, where far too many kids cannot walk to a park. Now, this disparity is personal. When I was a kid, I grew up in the Harbor Gateway. I had to take a bus to go to baseball practice because there was not a field I could walk to. My district also includes the L.A. Harbor community of Wilmington, which has the highest concentration of refineries throughout California. Close to 20 percent of the total land area in Wilmington is occupied by refineries. For context, that is 3\1/2\ times more than is available for parks and outdoor space. With passage of the Outdoors for All Act, we can fund new trails, parks, green spaces, and playgrounds to bring nature's benefits directly to our communities. Mr. Speaker, I thank the coalition of environmental groups, outdoor recreation advocates, businesses, and local governments that have worked day in and day out to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I also thank Natural Resources Chairman Westerman and my friend, Ranking Member Raul Grijalva, who have worked together on today's bipartisan outdoor recreation package. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the EXPLORE Act and to work with the Senate to get a strong outdoor recreation bill passed this Congress.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, this Women's History Month it is my honor to spotlight an exceptional woman from my district whose story embodies compassion and determination, Dr. Gabriela Lopez. A San Pedro native, Dr. Lopez shattered barriers from the start. Born to immigrant parents, she became the first in her family to graduate from college and earn a doctorate in medicine. During her time at UCLA, she recognized a critical need for inclusivity in healthcare for non-English speaking patients. She led efforts to provide translators for patients at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital so that language barriers did not prevent access to quality care. Her actions exemplify empathy and service. Dr. Lopez remains deeply involved with our community. As a dance instructor for a local group in San Pedro, California, she celebrates her heritage and encourages unity and belonging. Dr. Lopez' remarkable journey has been featured on platforms like UCLA Newsroom and La Opinion. Her story serves as a beacon of inspiration for women everywhere. Her story reminds us that with determination and heart, committed to service, women can overcome any obstacle and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Let us honor Dr. Gabriela Lopez and all the trailblazing women who continue to shape our world with their courage and compassion not just this month but every month.

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of Women's History Month, I stand here to celebrate a remarkable woman from my district whose dedication to equity and justice has made a profound impact: Margot Taylor. Margot serves as vice president of strategy and advocacy at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, where she has been and continues to be an integral part of the community since 2009. Margot is a driving force for advancing reproductive health education, access to contraception, and defending the fundamental right to safe, legal abortion. At the University of Houston, she witnessed firsthand disparities faced by Black and Brown communities. Motivated by these injustices, Margot is dedicated to dismantling systemic racism through advocacy and action. Margot's experiences fueled her passion to ensure equitable access to healthcare and community services, especially for marginalized groups. As the leader of Planned Parenthood's Black Health Initiative, she has championed successful approaches to address disparities in underserved communities. With unwavering dedication to our community, Margot embodies the spirit of Women's History Month, a trailblazer dedicated to advancing reproductive rights and healthcare access for all. Honoring Dr. Gabriela Lopez During Women's History Month

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, Republicans refuse even to consider $1 billion in ICE detention beds, something I don't even agree with. They refused money to put new fentanyl detection technology at the ports of entry. It is Republicans who have said no to all of this. Then the Biden administration helped craft a punitive, conservative, bipartisan Senate immigration bill that I don't even support. House Republicans said no before the ink was dry. Why? It is because Donald Trump called and said: Don't consider it. We don't want to do anything at all. I need a campaign issue. That is what this is about. Time and time again, Republicans have had a chance to do something. They failed to act every time. They mislead, they fearmonger, and they demonize immigrants and try to convince the American people that they are not responsible for their own failures to act. Democrats are rejecting these tactics and this dishonest resolution. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jayapal for being a leader in this space. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to oppose yet another anti-immigrant resolution from House Republicans. It is Republicans who refuse to vote for additional resources to address challenges at the southern border and, instead, spend their time on empty messaging resolutions such as this. Worse yet, they continue to lie. Just take a look at the resolution. This resolution says that the Biden administration suspended and terminated asylum cooperative agreements with El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras established by the previous administration. The fact is two of these agreements were never implemented by the previous administration, and one was paused at the start of COVID, the pandemic. The resolution says the Biden administration has refused to use its authority to detain inadmissible migrants. The resolution claims the Biden administration is intentionally not enforcing the mandatory detention requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The fact is that no administration, including the Trump administration, has fully complied with this Act because no Congress has ever provided the funds and the previous administration never even asked for the funding that would have come close to having this mandatory detention for all. That is something I don't even agree with, yet even the prior administration didn't do that. Now, this administration, the Biden administration, is actually detaining migrants. The fact is the Biden administration is detaining approximately 39,000 inadmissible migrants. The resolution also says the Biden administration has the authority to use expedited removal and is refusing to use expedited removal. Again, that is not true. Let's look at the facts. The Biden administration has expanded expedited removal to remove hundreds of thousands of people. Our point today is this just goes to show you, Mr. Speaker, Republicans are not serious about the border. If they were serious, then they would stick to the facts and they would stick to solutions. This resolution is not about solutions. It is all about politics. They have consistently opposed legislation to increase funding to address the needs at the southern border. It is Republicans who refuse to consider President Biden's $13.6 billion funding at the border. Let me talk about some of what is in that. Republicans refused to give $850 million to combat fentanyl from crossing the southern border. It is Republicans who refuse to consider $723 million to hire additional Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to applaud and support the full funding of WIC in the fiscal year 2024 budget. For 50 years, WIC has delivered quality nutrition benefits and breastfeeding support for almost 10 million American families, including almost 1 million pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children in California. As chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I hear stories every day of how essential WIC is to Latino families in America, with more than 6 million Latino women and children enrolled. Last year, the Hispanic Caucus joined the Congressional Black Caucus and the Democratic Women's Caucus to send a letter to congressional leadership to urge them to fully fund WIC. For months, House Republicans insisted on harmful funding cuts, which put women and children's health at risk. House Democrats worked tirelessly for a $1 billion funding increase to meet the basic needs of the program. This week, House Democrats were successful in our efforts. Moms and their babies and pregnant women who rely on WIC can breathe a sigh of relief. Their access to their benefits will continue. House Democrats will continue to keep up the fight in Congress toward an America where no one goes hungry.

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my guest for the State of the Union. He is a leader in the fight to make healthcare more affordable and equitable. Fat Joe is a Grammy-nominated artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is also a partner with Power to the Patients, to advocate for healthcare price transparency. Confusing health information, language barriers, and lack of insurance are challenges that make our healthcare system difficult to navigate, especially for communities of color. Because of high out-of-pocket costs, insured patients can still face enormous medical bills, and uninsured patients are more likely to face unnecessary hospital fees. Healthcare is the only service where someone does not know the cost until after you purchase it, until after receiving the healthcare services. We must remove barriers that restrict families from getting care, including knowing your costs up front. This builds upon the work of President Biden and House Democrats to put people over politics, to lower the cost of healthcare coverage and lower drug prices. Fat Joe's work to highlight the need for price transparency is necessary to reduce healthcare costs for American families. I am proud to welcome him back to the Capitol as my guest. Full Funding for WIC

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, while they once again push us to the brink of a government shutdown, extreme MAGA Republicans are attacking our freedoms and pushing to ban in vitro fertilization, or IVF. We have seen the devastating consequences of the Republican march toward a nationwide abortion ban on display in Alabama where extreme Republican-appointed judges have issued a ruling that prevents women from accessing IVF. House Democrats believe women and their families should be allowed to make these personal decisions about when to have children. Republicans claim to support IVF, but Americans should look at their actions, not their words. Led by Speaker Mike Johnson, most House Republicans are sponsoring a bill that would threaten IVF nationwide and criminalize reproductive healthcare for women. Republicans have appointed judges to overturn reproductive freedoms for women. This week, Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would protect IVF nationwide. House Democrats are united to ensure that women, not politicians, can make their own reproductive healthcare decisions.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, extreme MAGA Republicans are focused on chaos and dysfunction. Their agenda does nothing for everyday Americans. Republicans continue to push sham impeachments and political stunts to distract from their radical agenda. They have made this Congress the least productive since the Great Depression. We have seen that on full display this week, where Republicans have canceled another workday in D.C. because they cannot get anything done. House Democrats are fighting to cut through the chaos. We are focused on lower cost, a stronger middle class, and safer communities. Under President Biden and House Democrats in Congress, we have focused on real change. Democrats have capped the price of insulin at $35 a month for seniors on Medicare and provided student debt relief to 3.7 million Americans. Month after month, our economy has seen strong job growth. President Biden's economic policies are working. House Democrats know that we have more work to do, and we stand united to put people over politics and do the work of the American people.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Pallone for yielding. Mr. Speaker, do we want to talk about gifts to Putin? Which party is preventing any aid going to Ukraine to fight Putin and Russia? Mr. Speaker, don't come up here and talk about the hypocrisy of who is giving a gift to Putin because it is your party, the Republican Party, that is doing that. Today, I rise in opposition to H.R. 7176 which would strip away the Department of Energy's ability to examine the full impacts of liquefied natural gas export projects on our climate, consumer energy costs, and communities. LNG exports are an environmental injustice and a climate disaster. They pollute minority and low-income communities along the Gulf Coast. We have heard directly from communities in these regions that they do not want any LNG facilities to be built in their backyards. Roishetta Ozane, a mother of six in Sulphur, Louisiana, is surrounded by oil and gas infrastructure, including three LNG export facilities. She has said: ``Our air smells like rotten eggs. There is constant flaring. . . . It sounds like trains are coming back and forth. I have two children who suffer with asthma. I have children who suffer with other respiratory and skin conditions. . . . There are several families dealing with the same thing.'' For far too long, her community's voice has been ignored as these LNG export facilities were built. I commend the Biden administration for taking an important step to pause the consideration of new permits for LNG export terminals. It gives us a chance to make sure that people like Roishetta have a voice. The Republican bill in front of us is an attempt to silence communities overwhelmed by pollution. It forces the Federal Government to ignore what is in the public interest and instead blindly approve LNG export projects to create profits for the fossil fuel industry. Mr. Speaker, I urge my Democratic colleagues to oppose this bill and stand up for our consumers, our climate, and the health of our communities.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise to oppose this baseless, politically driven impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas by extreme MAGA Republicans. House Republicans have failed to meet the constitutional standard for impeachment and have failed to provide evidence for high crimes and misdemeanors because no evidence exists. Republicans rant about the challenges at the southern border, and their only solution is to remove the person who has been in the room trying to work on a bipartisan basis to get tough on border policies that I don't even agree with. Republicans are not serious about border security. This is all about politics for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. House Republicans have consistently opposed legislation to increase funding for more Border Patrol agents at the southern border, more Customs and Border Protection, more money to combat fentanyl from coming across the southern border, something Republicans love to talk about, but they want to give no resources to make sure that it is not coming over. Of course, they have even said no to a billion dollars in ICE detention beds. This is a Republican talking point, and they have said no to this, too. So why are we wasting floor time on political games with a fact-free impeachment resolution instead of legislation to improve the lives of Americans? It is because House Republicans can't govern. They want to distract from their weekly embarrassments. Their own Members admit they have not accomplished anything. Mr. Speaker, this sham impeachment is not an accomplishment. It is just another embarrassment because they are a do-nothing Congress.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, if we defeat the previous question, we will bring up H.R. 16, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2023. This is bipartisan legislation that would lift up our immigrant brothers and sisters and do more to address our broken immigration system than anti-immigrant bills offered by Republicans today. H.R. 16 would give certainty to Dreamers who were raised here in America and are an integral part of who we are as a Nation. As one Republican said: This is not a Democrat issue or a Republican issue. It is an American issue. Our doctors, our teachers, our caregivers, our friends, and our families are Dreamers. They are American in every way, and they continue to make significant contributions to society and our economy. America is their home. H.R. 16 also protects those with TPS and DED. This is a humane, fair, and just approach so our immigrant communities can live in dignity. Rather than take a humane approach to bestow protections upon our Nation's Dreamers, our colleagues across the aisle would rather penalize them by introducing a package of bills that would do nothing to fix our broken immigration system. Instead, these bills only further criminalize those who already live in America--and take away their due process rights--to make it easier to deport them. These Republican bills are anti-immigrant. These bills will not make us safer. If you are undocumented and you are convicted of committing a crime, you are already deportable. Let's not burden our law and immigration enforcement officials, and, instead, allow them to focus their resources on finding those who seek to harm this country. Let's get serious about fixing our immigration system and stop with the gotcha messaging bills that do nothing to make us safer. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, as MAGA Republicans work overtime to attack the reproductive rights of women, launch sham impeachments, and give tax breaks to big corporations, House Democrats are listening to working families. House Democrats continue to work for lower costs and grow the middle class. House Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act to lower drug prices and the jobs and infrastructure law to rebuild our roads and bridges. House Republicans show up at ribbon cutting ceremonies to take credit for infrastructure projects in their districts, even though they voted against the infrastructure law. Some Republicans try to hide the fact that they voted against the very bill they are claiming credit for by saying, when asked, that they don't remember how they voted. While Republicans continue their hypocrisy, Democrats are hard at work to lower costs for childcare, high-speed internet, and energy. House Democrats will continue to put people over politics to deliver for everyday Americans.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, Americans want Congress to focus on lowering costs and growing the middle class, but extreme MAGA Republicans continue to create one crisis after the next. The bare minimum is for Congress to keep the government open, yet Republicans have repeatedly threatened government shutdowns. Republicans want a shutdown unless they get harsh and ineffective border policy changes. They are willing to hold hostage pay for our troops. At the same time, Republicans have rejected billions in funding from President Biden to help secure the border and to create a more orderly process. Republicans prefer to play politics rather than solve problems. This week, Democrats will once again provide the majority of votes to keep the government open. Democrats are here to do our job and put people over politics. We need to keep the government open so that American families are not hurt by Republicans' failure to govern.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Tonko for his leadership. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson's Act. More than 1 million people in the U.S. live with Parkinson's disease. Without a cure, this number will only continue to grow. Every 6 minutes, someone is diagnosed with Parkinson's, and their life changes forever. This diagnosis is devastating to patients and their loved ones who deal with the physical, emotional, and financial toll of this disease. I know this and its impacts firsthand. As a teenager, I watched my father battle Parkinson's for the last 10 years of his life. I also recognize and thank our colleague, Jennifer Wexton, who earlier this year shared that she was diagnosed with a form of atypical parkinsonism, PSP, and she has shared her story and has been an advocate to make sure that the bill got to where it is today. The National Plan to End Parkinson's Act, the first-ever legislation solely dedicated to ending Parkinson's disease, is sorely needed. This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to lead a national project to prevent and cure Parkinson's. Our fight against this heartbreaking disease is nowhere near done, but we have the tools to start. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and to support this bill.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this bipartisan en bloc, which includes my amendment to increase funding for the Research Endowment Program at the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. This program has bipartisan support. Earlier this year, Democrats and Republicans called for an increase in funding through a letter I led to House Appropriations. My colleague Representative Buddy Carter in the House and Senator Cassidy in the Senate worked hard in the last Congress to pass my bill, the John Lewis NIMHD Research Endowment Revitalization Act. It was signed into law, but now we need to increase the funding to this program so schools like Charles R. Drew University, Moorehouse School of Medicine, and many others, can continue to conduct critical research into minority health disparities. Increased funding will support existing and new grantees. Mr. Chair, I urge support for my amendment so we can fund research to reduce health disparities and save lives.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of an environmental justice champion, fighter for workers' rights, and former southern California assemblymember, Cynthia Montanez. Cindy's activism started at UCLA, where she participated in a 14-day hunger strike to help establish the Chicano Studies Department. At 25, she became the youngest councilmember of her hometown of San Fernando. At 27, she became mayor. At 28, she was the youngest woman elected to the State legislature. Cindy used her talents to create immediate change for our communities. As an assistant general manager of the L.A. Department of Water and Power, she helped transition the Nation's largest publicly owned utility to cleaner energy. As CEO of TreePeople, she transformed the organization into the fastest-growing environmental nonprofit in southern California. Madam Speaker, I thank Cindy for her tireless advocacy for Latino communities in California. She is gone way too soon. Rest in power.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I rise in support of designating the Month of September as ``National Leading Entertainment and Arts through Diversity Month'' or ``National LEAD Month.'' Despite growing diversity in the United States, minorities and communities of color remain underrepresented in the television and film industries. Although Hispanics make up 18 percent of the population, we hold about 12 percent of the jobs in the media industry. Greater diversity on and off-screen is critical to promote the lived experiences of marginalized groups. Through authentic storytelling, diverse representation provides audiences with narratives they can better empathize with. That's why I'm a cosponsor of House Resolution 191, which recognizes the need for diversity in the entertainment industry and establishes September as National LEAD month. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution on this critical issue.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus in opposition to H.R. 3941, which is what I call the anti-student, anti-family, anti-immigrant act. This bill is another attempt by Republicans to dehumanize migrants under the excuse of student safety. Give me a break. First, this bill does nothing to protect our students. In fact, it does the opposite. It cuts funding for schools that dare to provide shelter for those who escape oppression and seek protection in our country, even if the school is empty or closed down with no students. Republicans claim they are the party that protects children, but they are the same party that is directing Texas State troopers to push migrant children back into the Rio Grande River to drown. They should be ashamed. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this anti-student and anti-immigrant proposal.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes on the House floor. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 58; YEA on Roll Call No. 65; NAY on Roll Call No. 284; YEA on Roll Call No. 290; YEA on Roll Call No. 291; and NAY on Roll Call No. 310.