Nanette Barragán

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I regret to inform you that I am unable to be present for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 81 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 82. Personal Explanation

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for holding this Special Order to address the impact of the fossil fuel industry on Latinos and how a Green New Deal can address the needs in our communities. From sea level rise, to the location of power plants, to fossil fuel extraction, to the urban heat island effect, the inequities from our energy system and who bears its consequences are everywhere. People of color are on the front line of this issue. We are hit first and worst. We need a climate bill that rises to the scale of both the climate crisis and the damage from environmental racism that impacts my district and the districts like it across the country. The best way for us to understand these challenges and how to overcome them is to meet environmental justice communities where they are. Our local challenges can provide useful information for Federal climate policy that can address environmental justice issues across the country. America needs to lead on a just transition away from fossil fuels, and climate solutions must account for what that means for communities like mine. We deal with pollution from oil refineries and ongoing urban oil drilling, which has a direct impact on the quality of the air we breathe. At the same time that the fossil fuel industry has a disproportionate footprint in minority communities, these industries often provide jobs, including union jobs, to my constituents. As we work to unwind the fossil fuel economy, we need our climate policy to ensure a just transition includes the needs of communities of color. This means creating union jobs in the clean energy industry with great benefits, and it means opportunities for minority-owned businesses to play a role in the clean energy future of tomorrow. We must also focus on air emissions from ports and the communities near them bearing the burden. In my district, I have the Port of Los Angeles, one of the most ambitious ports in the country when it comes to reducing emissions. At the same time, the port is a significant source of air and climate pollution, and communities in my district believe the best path forward is for the port to achieve zero emissions as quickly as possible. These are challenges that face ports throughout our country. Our climate policy must invest in America's ports to keep them competitive and on a pathway to zero emissions. As Democrats are in the majority, we are in a position to move swiftly and boldly on this issue, and we must do so. Madam Speaker, I look forward to working with my colleagues this year to craft bold climate solutions that leave no community behind.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Too often our communities of color are left behind. Too often, they are on the front lines of environmental injustice. That is why I am proud to cosponsor this bill with Representatives Tlaib and Ocasio- Cortez. Our amendment makes sure that help gets to the people who need it the most. It requires the newly established PFAS community water systems grant program to prioritize communities that are disproportionately exposed to environmental harms and public health impacts from pollution. Many of those communities are communities like my very own district. Communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately exposed to PFAS contamination. They often face a variety of environmental threats, such as: exhaust from congested highways, water runoff or air pollution from toxic chemical facilities, and close proximity to landfills. When a grant application to address PFAS contamination is under consideration, these communities that have exposure first and worst should get priority. It shouldn't be an afterthought. That is why this is a critical first step to ensuring the Safe Drinking Water Act prioritizes environmental justice. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, it is with a solemn sense of duty that I rise today in support of impeachment. As this Chamber debates two Articles of Impeachment against the President for his abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, I want history to know that I stood up to say that I stand for the Constitution and our democracy. When my immigrant mom became a United States citizen, she took an oath of allegiance to our country and Constitution. When I stood on this floor as a new Member of Congress, I took an oath to uphold and defend our Constitution. The President abused his power when he used his official office and power to ask a foreign government to interfere in our elections. When he asked a foreign government for a personal favor to dig up dirt on his political opponent so he could cheat, the President got caught, and then he tried to cover it up. Today we say no more. Today we say we will not allow this President to abuse his power and endanger our national security. I stand to say that no one is above the law, not even this President.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I regret to inform you that I am unable to be present for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 668, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 669, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 670.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I regret to inform you that I was unable to be present for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 671, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 672, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 673, and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 674.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for having this special hour and for all of his work. As the Supreme Court deliberates this administration's attempt to end the DACA program, it is easy for the average American to see the term ``DACA'' as a case, a policy, a set of immigration statistics, or a political bargaining chip. But DACA is 700,000 living, breathing people who consider America to be their home, the only home most of them have ever had. Over 8,000 of these DACA members live in my district, and I consider them amongst my most valued and vulnerable constituents. They are our brothers and sisters, our friends and schoolmates, our neighbors and workmates, and, in my instance, my cousin. And in my case, they are also dedicated and talented interns working in both my district office and right here in my Washington office. Irene Garcia-Brizuela is a DACA recipient who has lived in the United States since she was 10 years old. She is earning her bachelor's degree at Cal State Dominguez Hills. She is a part-time barista, as she is working hard in my San Pedro office. Even as a young girl, Irene dreamed of working in our government. Very sadly, she worries that interning for me might be as close as she will ever come because she can't work for the government she respects, reveres, and pledges allegiance to without proof of legal residency. Juan Hinojos is an outstanding member of my D.C. office as an intern. He has lived in this country since he was 2 years old. Of course, it is the only home he has ever known. When Juan graduates Arizona State, he will be the first in his family to do so. Juan just spent two nights camping out to be in line to get inside the Supreme Court so that he could witness yesterday's oral arguments, not only as an observer wanting to witness history, not only as an appreciator of our government in action, but as a participant whose fate may rest in the hands of that moment. These are just two examples of the wonderful and meaningful contributions that all DACA recipients make to our communities, our economy, our society, and our American culture. Our Nation made a promise to them that if they work hard, study hard, play by the rules, and follow the law, they can become American citizens and travel as far as their talents take them. It is quite literally the promise of America. Madam Speaker, I want to say to DACA recipients nervously awaiting their fates: You are valued. You are appreciated. You are loved. You belong here.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, currently military families who send all-important care packages to their loved ones overseas have to pay some postage. These families are already paying a lot just by enduring the absence of their loved one. That is why I am reintroducing the Military Care Package Program Act which would waive these postal fees for family-sent care packages. In this spirit, I would like to take a moment to recognize an organization in my district called San Pedro's Packages for Patriots. Packages for Patriots have been sending care packages, letters, and comfort items to our Armed Forces members overseas since 2008. These packages symbolize love and hope. For some soldiers, it truly means the world. This amazing organization was started by San Pedro residents Mike Walker and his wife, Shirley Vojkovich. Together, along with their group of dedicated volunteers, Packages for Patriots has shipped over 16,000 care packages with over 200,000 pounds of supplies to American servicemembers deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am sure every Member of this body would like to join me in applauding their efforts in support of our servicemembers overseas.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3525, the U.S. Border Patrol Medical Screening Standards Act. Mr. Speaker, I have been to the southern border a number of times. I have seen the cold concrete holding cell where Felipe Gomez Alonzo, an 8-year-old boy, spent his last days. He was apprehended on December 18, 2018, and did not receive proper medical testing, screenings, and care. Six days later, on Christmas Eve, while Americans were celebrating family and a holiday, Felipe would go on to suffer from a 103-degree fever. Felipe would also start vomiting and become weak, then die while in custody of the U.S. Government. I wish I could say that he was the last child that died in U.S. custody, but he wasn't. In the 17 months since the Trump administration implemented their zero-tolerance policy at the southern border, inhumanely jailing migrant children and cruelly separating children from their parents, six--let me repeat that, six--migrant children have tragically fallen ill and died in Federal custody: Darlyn Cristabel Cordova-Valle was 10 years old; Jakelin Caal Maquin was 7; Felipe Gomez Alonzo was 8; Juan de Leon Gutierrez was 16; Carlos Hernandez Vasquez was 16; and Wilmer Josue Ramirez Vasquez was a 2\1/2\-year-old baby. The death of these children demonstrates the dangers faced by migrants at the hands of the very government they hoped would save them. The inadequate medical recordkeeping is dangerous and is a huge gap that we must fix. How many more kids will have to die before DHS makes effective changes in the way they improve medical screenings and track medical records? How many? Ms. Underwood, a nurse and the author of the bill, has been to the southern border with me to see the problem firsthand. It is her medical training and background that led to this bill so that we could research ways to improve medical screenings and improve the tracking of medical records, something that is not happening right now. Mr. Speaker, this body and this Nation has a moral obligation to make sure that no more children needlessly die in detention at our southern border and, in doing so, to perhaps bring some measure of meaning to the tragic deaths of those six children. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3525.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 1146 and protecting one of our Nation's greatest treasures from becoming the spoils of an industry that recklessly puts profits ahead of risks to the environment. After nearly four decades of protection, earned by virtue of its diverse wildlife habitats and scenic wonders, the Trump administration wants to sell off the heartbeat of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the highest bidders. Buried in the small print of a tax giveaway, the President removed critical habitat protections with the stroke of a pen, leaving more than 250 wildlife species, like the polar bear, exposed to potential disaster at the hands of the oil industry. This action is not only a complete failure of the government's stewardship of these natural habitats, but completely unnecessary, considering the United States is already the world's largest producer of petroleum. Why threaten a fragile ecosystem that is already under terrible threat from climate change? We owe it to the planet, to future generations of Americans, and to the two-thirds of American people who are opposed to drilling in this iconic landscape to pass this protection act.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Chair, earlier this year, I introduced a bill called the Safe COAST Act to protect our coasts from offshore oil and gas drilling. A vital element of that bill was to protect the offshore oil and gas operations program. This critical piece of the Safe COAST Act is offered in this amendment. As this body may remember, in December 2017, the administration placed a stop-work order on a critical study of the inspections program for offshore oil and gas operations, in an attempt to delay the study and alter its management. The administration later changed its mind and resumed the study, but it doesn't mean the administration can't change its mind again and halt it or take away the study from the National Academy of Sciences and contract it to an oil and gas industry-friendly entity. We can't take that chance because this study is too critical. For example, this study ensures that vital aspects of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement's regulatory mission are being met. The study would evaluate the Bureau's current risk assessment inspection process and provide recommendations for its improvement. It will also evaluate and migrate best practices into the Bureau's inspection protocols. Lastly, it will assess the potential role of safety-enhancing technologies, such as remote and real-time monitoring. In short, it will assess the use of emerging technologies, potential risks, and improved safety and environmental protection practices. Our coast needs these protections. My amendment will ensure the study remains operational and in the objective and trustworthy hands of the National Academy of Sciences. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to help protect our oceans and support my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Chair, the bottom line is this administration cannot be trusted when it comes to protecting the coastline. This administration already issued a stop order and changed its mind. Again, there is nothing to prevent this administration from changing its mind again or, as I mentioned, from taking it away from the National Academy of Sciences. This amendment just ensures that the study remains operational and in the hands of the National Academy of Sciences so that there can't be a change. This is a protection we need for the coast. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the extraordinary life of the Honorable Margie N. Garrett, Trustee of the Compton Unified School District Board of Education. Beginning as a Noon Duty Aide before going on to be a Head Start Teacher, State Preschool Teacher and Kindergarten Teacher at Carver Elementary School in Compton, Garrett's career as an educator spanned four decades prior to her retirement in 2009. During her decades-long career as an educator, Garrett served as President and Vice President of the Board of Directors, Bargaining Committee Chairperson and as Political Action Chairperson for the Compton Education Association--she was honored for her work with the California Teachers Association Southeastern Service Center. Margie N. Garrett was first elected to the Compton Unified School District Governing Board of Trustees in 2009 and was re-elected in 2013. As a trustee, Garrett served as President and Vice President to the Board and led Compton Unified School District's legislative advocacy in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California. Garrett's fight for and commitment to educational excellence and a cleaner and safer learning environment for students was unwavering. Her passion and dedication improved working conditions and installed career pathways for district employees. Her advocacy and leadership helped decrease Compton Unified School District's dropout rate and improved access to early childhood education. I, along with the residents of California's 44th Congressional District, mourn the passing of the Honorable Margie N. Garrett and celebrate her service and the indelible impact she has had on the students of the Compton Unified School District.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the extraordinary life of the late Reverend Dr. W. Jerome Fisher, pastor of the first black church in Compton, California. Reverend Dr. W. Jerome Fisher was born March 11, 1924 in the small town of Merryville, Louisiana in an era of sharecropping and Jim Crow. After accompanying his father to Chicago, Illinois as a child, Jerome Fisher honorably served his country as a medic in Normandy during World War II. After serving in World War II, W. Jerome Fisher moved to Compton, California where he built the City's first black church, Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church. Under the leadership of W. Jerome Fisher, Little Zion's congregation grew from 13 members to over 2,000, forming several community outreach programs to meet the needs of the greater community. As pastor, Jerome Fisher, led Little Zion and the Compton community through times of pain and triumph for more than 50 years--including offering the opening invocation for the 100th Congress in 1988. Sixty-five years after its founding, Little Zion Missionary Baptist Church now stands as Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church--a beacon of Jerome Fisher's indelible legacy of distinguished service. That legacy lives on through its current pastor, Dr. Michael J. Fisher, his son, who took on the mantle of pastor in 2005. I, along with the residents of California's 44th Congressional District mourn the passing of Reverend Dr. W. Jerome Fisher and celebrate his service and remarkable work.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, we lost a pillar of the Compton community and a dedicated champion for our students, Hon. Margie Garrett. Although she will be greatly missed by her friends, family, and our community, we take comfort in knowing that her accomplishments in her mission for educational excellence has forever left a mark on the life of every child in the Compton Unified School District. Let us honor her legacy by providing everyone with the highest quality of education they deserve.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, terrorists continue to pose a significant threat to transportation systems. Since 9/11, Congress has supported efforts to strengthen the security of our transportation systems. Working with the private sector and state and local governments, we have invested substantial resources to prevent attacks and improve our intelligence around potential threats. Still, terrorists continue to probe critical infrastructure- looking for ``soft targets'' to attack. Worldwide, increasingly, terrorist have turned their attention to mass transit systems, bus stations, and freight and passenger rail systems. In America, surface transportation systems transport millions of passengers and tons of freight every day. In my district, my constituents rely on L.A. Metro rail and bus systems to get them to their offices, doctor's appointments, places of worship, and homes every day. According to L.A. Metro Monthly Ridership stats, over 31 million riders travel by bus or rail each month. Due to the high accessibility of transit systems, protecting passengers and personnel is difficult. Law enforcement agencies rely on credible, timely intelligence to keep systems secure. My bill seeks to enhance security in two key ways. First, it requires DHS to prioritize the assignment of officers and intelligence analysts to State, local, and regional fusion centers areas with a high-risk surface transportation asset. Such deployments would help ensure that intelligence relating to threats is shared with appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner, improving the chances of preventing the next attack. Second, my bill authorizes DHS to develop a training program to enhance the protection, preparedness, and response capabilities of law enforcement agencies that operate at surface transportation assets. Surface transportation systems are unique in their layouts and use, and training tailored to the uniqueness of these systems would help improve law enforcement capabilities. This transportation security bill is supported on a bipartisan basis and, when it was considered last month in the Committee on Homeland Security, was approved unanimously. As such, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, as Co-Chair of the Congressional Croatian Caucus, I rise today to bring attention to a very special milestone scheduled to take flight this coming Friday. On June 7, 2019, for the first time in twenty-eight years, non-stop transatlantic air travel will occur between the United States and the Republic of Croatia. American Airlines will have the honor of transporting passengers directly from Philadelphia International Airport to Dubrovnik International Airport in Croatia. This event is especially momentous to me because my congressional district is home to the largest concentration of Croatians living in the United States. In fact, several of my constituents from San Pedro, California, will be on hand in Philadelphia to witness the inaugural flight and celebrate this exciting partnership with fellow Croatians, Croatian government officials, diplomats, and prominent civic leaders from Philadelphia. The return to direct non-stop air service is yet another example of the United States' strong economic and political relationship with Croatia, a very important NATO ally. For me and my constituents, this new chapter will not only enhance these relationships but create opportunities to connect our communities and cultures. With this in mind, I am including in the Record a letter from Steven Rukavina, President of the National Federation of Croatian Americans, to Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney underscoring the significance of this first flight from Philadelphia and the strengthened relationship that will result between our two countries. I wish this new endeavor between the United States and Croatia every success and look forward to one day soon being a passenger on this flight. National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation, Washington, DC, May 10, 2019. Hon. Jim Kenney, Mayor, Philadelphia, PA. Dear Mayor Kenney: On behalf of the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCA), and as a proud resident of Philadelphia, please allow me to share with you a quickly approaching milestone for our City. The Croatian American community is so pleased that we will see the Croatian flag raised at City Hall on Friday, June 7th. Of course, we are thrilled that you and so many of Philadelphia's civic and business leaders will attend the Croatian gala celebration at the National Constitutional Center on June 6th, too. These events will salute the first commercial non-stop flight in twenty-eight years from the United States to Croatia, which will depart Philadelphia International Airport on the evening of June 7. This historic American Airlines flight will touch down on Croatia's Adriatic coast in the City of Dubrovnik the next morning. I must say that I am very honored to be able to fly on this inaugural flight that night. The non-stop flights that will follow will directly connect our World Heritage City of Philadelphia to the City of Dubrovnik--which is known as the ``Pearl of the Adriatic'' and which has also been included as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. This important Croatian city holds historic relevance as a significant Mediterranean port and sea power since the 13th century. Dubrovnik flourished really well throughout the 15th and 17th centuries and was lauded internationally for its skilled diplomacy and wealth! It is also historic and coincidental that the Republic of Ragusa-- an aristocratic maritime republic that once included Dubrovnik--was one of the first political entities to recognize the independence of the United States of America in the 1770s. In the coming years tourism between our two countries will only grow, and Americans will be able to further engage in the rich culture and history of Croatia. These newly inaugurated American Airlines non-stop flights will specifically allow Philadelphians the ease and comfort of non-stop travel to the Adriatic Coast. This will prompt many in our City to take a unique trip that they may not have before considered. This kind of unprecedented access will also draw many tourists to visit Philadelphia, too, as the departure city for their travels to and from Croatia. The Croatian American community has also held a significant place in the history of the State of Pennsylvania. Croatian American immigration helped to significantly propel the steel industry in the western part of our Pennsylvania during the Second Industrial Revolution. Significantly, the Croatian Fraternal Union of America (CFU), which is now headquartered in Monroeville PA, will celebrate its 125th anniversary from September 21-25 in Pittsburgh. The special bond between the U.S. and Croatia has been further strengthened during the past ten years with Croatia's 2009 ascension into full membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This multilateral Euro-Atlantic security alliance membership and treaty, now has only further cemented the strong bilateral relationship between our two nations over the last ten years. Looking to the future--with Croatia assuming the Presidency of the European Union in January, 2020--we hope to build on the success of these important air flight activities beginning in June via additional global-oriented events within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania during 2020, especially in our City of Philadelphia. We applaud all your efforts to promote Philadelphia as a global destination for tourism, for international business growth, and now as a bridge to the City of Dubrovnik, another World Heritage site with a special bond to our historic American city! Sincerely, Steve Rukavina, President, National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, this week I have the honor of travelling to the beaches of Normandy, France, along with a congressional delegation to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day on the exact site where over 2,500 brave Americans were to, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, give their last full measure of devotion. Several among those fallen were some of the nearly 500,000 Latino soldiers who served in World War II. By the end of that war, 17 Mexican Americans received the Congressional Medal of Honor, a source of great pride for the Latino community and a legacy of honor that has continued throughout modern history, which now counts 60 Medals of Honor awarded to soldiers of Hispanic heritage. Among the military units with Hispanic representation that participated in the D-Day invasion was the U.S. Army 79th Infantry Division, which landed at Utah Beach. The D-Day forces included men like Nick Alvarez from California, who led a tank crew that broke through the German defenses that day, helping to put the Allies on the offensive and, ultimately, helped lead to the fall of Nazi Germany. Those D-Day forces also included Private Andrew Ortega from Anaheim, California, who was one of the very first Americans to land on Omaha Beach as part of a team of engineers tasked with finding and neutralizing land mines ahead of the infantrymen taking part in the assault. Under relentless fire from German guns, Private Ortega searched for and defused land mines no bigger than eggs. His heroic efforts in the face of horrific danger no doubt saved countless American lives. As we make ready to honor all the troops participating in the D-Day invasion, I would like to make special mention of Private Louis Martin, who was a resident of my home district in Wilmington, California, and who is pictured here in this photo provided by his family. Private Martin was born in Deming, New Mexico, in 1914, and moved to Wilmington as a young adult. By the time Louis was drafted into the Army, he was married and had a 2-year-old daughter. Louis was a member of the U.S. Army 1st Infantry Division, which landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. It was there, on the sands of that beach 75 years ago, that Private Martin gave his life, for the freedom of his family, his countrymen, and for future generations of Americans. We, as a nation, are forever indebted to him, and it gives me great pride to have him remembered here today. I thank those who have served, and I extend my deepest condolences to Private Martin's family and friends. I thank Private Martin and all members of the Armed Forces who so bravely fought and so gallantly sacrificed their lives in the service of our Nation during the D-Day invasion. It is with the greatest appreciation for their courage, determination, and fierce belief in this Nation, for which it stands, that I pay tribute to these fallen soldiers today. It is in their honor that I pledge to endeavor within this body to strive ever harder to fulfill the promise of this Nation proposed by our Founders and paid for with the blood of soldiers like those who fell 75 years ago on the sands of Normandy.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The 19th Amendment played a pivotal role in paving the way for a new agenda that would finally put women's issues at the forefront of our democracy. Not only did it help women move closer to equality, it created more opportunities for jobs, fairer wages, access to education, and more health benefits. Eventually, more women began to run for office. Madam Speaker, 100 years later and women have made an impact at the ballot box like never before, electing a record-breaking number of women to Congress. But there is still work to be done. We are still fighting for full equality for all women, including LGBTQ women. We are still fighting for reproductive rights. We have seen countless States enact laws that strip away a woman's reproductive freedom, criminalizing a decision that should be between her and her doctor. But core to women's constitutional liberties is autonomy over their own body and well-being. In order to truly support women, we need to safeguard and improve, not limit, access to comprehensive healthcare. As we celebrate the strides that women have made in our country, we also recommit ourselves to the fight that women have endured since the founding of our Nation.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chair, I rise today on behalf of the millions of Americans who are struggling to afford their lifesaving medications. Every day, millions face the tough decision of having to pay for their prescriptions or other basic costs of living like groceries and rent, Americans like Victoria Stuessel from Los Angeles, a mother of three who was just diagnosed with MS. Because of the high cost of her medications which she uses to delay the progress of her disease, she was forced to skip doses. But this is just one of many stories of people like Victoria who ration their care or stop taking their medication altogether. Not only is this dangerous, but it could result in death. The Strengthening Healthcare and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act is the first step to stop the rigging of the system so there is no delay to get generics to consumers faster. That will increase competition, and it will keep drug prices down for consumers. While there is still much more work that needs to be done to drive down the price of prescription drugs, this bill is a strong first step in ensuring that all Americans can afford the medication they need. Let's pass this bill and move forward in helping consumers.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chair, I am proud to join my colleague, Congressman Brown, in cosponsoring his amendment, implementing outreach and educational activities in areas with high health disparities. I know about this all too well. I represent one of these districts, a district that is a majority minority. It is 88 percent Latino and African American, combined. These are the types of districts where you have higher health disparities happening, where Latinos and African Americans have more diabetes than anybody else. My district also happens to be 357 out of 435. That is where we land as far as income of all the congressional districts in Congress, where people need this information. They need the outreach so that they know what kind of access they have to healthcare so that they have those options. Providing opportunities to underserved communities to learn about their healthcare coverage options will result in more people signing up for affordable care. More people will get treated when they become sick, and more people will be able to live healthy and productive lives. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today for my mother, my sister- in-law, and the millions of Americans living with diabetes. Diabetes is an epidemic in which one in five healthcare dollars in the United States is spent caring for patients with this disease. Communities of color are disproportionately affected by the disease. I know because, in my congressional district, we have the highest rate of diabetes, higher than any other congressional district in the State of California. Those with diabetes use insulin to maintain blood sugar levels. Without it, it becomes a matter of life and death. This is why I am especially appalled at the skyrocketing cost of this lifesaving drug. At this very moment, the Committee on Energy and Commerce is having an oversight hearing about the rising cost of insulin. Tomorrow, the whole committee will mark up legislation, which, if passed, will help reduce the cost of prescription drugs. This should not be a partisan issue, and I call on my Republican colleagues and the President to work with us to help all Americans and work for the people.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, my colleague on the other side of the aisle said this was a partisan whack job. Yet, Congress has come together, which is rare to see these days, on a bipartisan basis, in the House and in the Senate, to vote to terminate this alleged crisis that is happening at the border. This is a constitutional issue. This is about the separation of powers. This is about Congress' ability to appropriate money and the President saying he wants something, Congress doesn't give it to him, and him going around Congress. Again, this is not a partisan issue. This should not be a partisan issue. My Republican colleague in the Senate said: Never has a President asked for funding and then had Congress not provide the funding, just to have the President come right back to use the National Emergencies Act to get around Congress. This is a dangerous precedent. This is not a messaging vote. Again, on the House and on the Senate side, on a bipartisan basis, our colleagues are arguing today that we should stand with the President. I urge my colleagues: Stand with the Constitution. Stand with the Constitution. Let's override this veto. A wall will not stop the drugs that are coming in, the majority, through the ports of entry; a wall will not stop migrants who are coming to present themselves for asylum, legally, at the ports of entry; and a wall will not stop the inhumane treatment that migrants are receiving at the ports of entry. Let's work together on a comprehensive immigration bill. Let's work together to address this problem, not to fund a wall against the will of Congress which is being done on a bipartisan and a bicameral basis.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and to wish her a happy 86th birthday this Friday. During this Women's History Month, we celebrate visionary women like Justice Ginsburg, whose work ethic and achievements have motivated me and many women across this country. Throughout her career, Justice Ginsburg has been a pioneer for gender equality. As a first-year Harvard Law student, she was one of nine women in a 500-person class and became the first female professor to have tenure at Columbia. She would later cofound the ACLU's Women's Rights Project, paving the way for groundbreaking work around issues like pregnancy and parenting, education equity and equal pay. Undoubtedly, Justice Ginsburg has set a precedent for women everywhere and continues to do so as a Supreme Court Justice. I wish Justice Ginsburg many more years of health and happiness. She truly is an American hero.