Yvette Clarke

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia for yielding. ``Our society is not unlike the children in that house, rocked again and again by the winds of one storm or another. . . . The people of conscience never left the house.'' In his memoir in 1998, ``Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement,'' the great Congressman John Lewis recounted a childhood memory of being caught in a terrifying storm with a group of children in his Aunt Seneva's small house in Pike County, Alabama, near the town of Troy. As the storm tried to lift the house, John and the children held hands and worked together, using their unity as their strength to stabilize the home. This was, among many things, a metaphor for how society, especially in moments of discord, upheaval, and conflict, requires people to come together, hold on, and stand firm against forces trying to tear it apart. As it happens, Congressman Lewis' timeless words speak directly to the unique moment we find ourselves in today. With the unprecedented assaults on our voting rights and the slow erosion of our constitutional and democratic norms, the house most certainly is in danger. Voting rights are, and have always been, the CBC's North Star, and right now, the franchise, this tool, the foundation of our democracy, is under threat. At a time when our democracy is under constant siege by the Trump administration, we must do all we can to protect it. As we speak, extremist Republicans at the local, State, and national levels are running the table with every tactic in their arsenal to disenfranchise Black and minority communities. To date, hundreds of bills to restrict voting access have been introduced in States around the country, with the aim of closing polling locations, curbing early voting and vote by mail, and imposing stricter voting ID requirements. These efforts are coordinated, well funded, and targeting our communities with laser-like precision. The question now is: What are we going to do to stop it? For generations, we have marched, fought, and even died for the right to vote. Congressman Lewis certainly knew this. It is a shame that partisan politics have brought us to the point that we cannot agree that access to the ballot box should be a right afforded to every American. Congressman John Lewis devoted every day of his life to fighting to make our country live up to its highest ideals and to the promise that all men, and may I add women, are created equal. From the Edmund Pettus Bridge to the Halls of Congress, the boy from Troy never stopped making good trouble. It is in that spirit that the CBC and House Democrats will always fight back against the voter suppression that plagues our country and impedes access to the ballot box, particularly in Black communities. It is in that spirit that we will not stop until we pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore and modernize the protections of the Voting Rights Act to prevent States from erecting new barriers to the ballot box. As our beloved John said: The people of conscience never left the house.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, in light of the fact that we don't have this briefing on the Iran-Israel war that will be taking place today, I move that the House adjourn until such time that we are briefed.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, the Constitution requires that Members of Congress be consulted in all matters and be authorized for any wars that are declared by the United States of America. We have not been briefed.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, parliamentary inquiries.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed. It is indeed.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, why is that?

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, has the Speaker been informed that today the briefing for the Iran-Israel war has been canceled, and why is that?

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, my inquiry is: We were informed that we would have a briefing on the Iran-Israel war this afternoon, and it has been canceled. Why is that?

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I am.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, okay. Let me state it again. We were informed today--

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, why is it that the Israel-Iran war briefing we were supposed to be having today has been canceled?

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Virginia, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, for setting the tone for this evening's hour and for anchoring this evening's Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight with my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus in recognition of national independence, Juneteenth National Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, more than 2 years after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, 2,000 Union troops reached Galveston Bay, Texas, with the news of the President's decree. On that day, more than 250,000 Black Americans were officially free. From that day on, the newly freed people of Galveston established Juneteenth as a day to celebrate the long journey to freedom, and our Nation's second Independence Day, when all citizens were finally declared free. To this day, the impact of Juneteenth on our community remains unparalleled. On Juneteenth, we celebrate Black joy, culture, and the unbreakable spirit of our community that has overcome so much across generations. Today, we continue to uplift values of hope, determination, and the preservation of our history and our people. We celebrate and pay homage to our history and those who have gotten us here today, figures like Texas native Opal Lee, known as the Mother of Juneteenth, who campaigned for decades to make Juneteenth a federally recognized holiday. We also remember the role of the Congressional Black Caucus and how they played that role to solidify Juneteenth as a Federal holiday. In 1996, former Congresswoman Barbara-Rose Collins, a CBC member, introduced one of the earliest bills in Congress to designate Juneteenth as a national holiday. Following this effort, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee picked up the mantle, reintroducing legislation from 1997 to the year 2000 to commemorate the holiday, pushing for broader recognition and funding for education and celebrations. In the wake of the tragic murder of George Floyd, nationwide protests renewed national conversation around this legislation, creating a path for CBC members to, once again, call for Federal recognition. Among other demands from the caucus during this nationwide social justice movement, the U.S. Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, led in the House by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and signed into law by President Joe Biden. The Juneteenth holiday offers us not only a time for reflection but also a time to mobilize to protect our communities from the endless assaults from the Trump administration that seek to erase our history, cut off access to economic opportunity, and roll back the clock on progress in our communities. On Juneteenth, and every day, the CBC continues our commitment to Black liberation and unity by fighting to make our communities safe, prosperous, and free. Juneteenth as a national holiday exemplifies the values of this caucus. As the conscience of the Congress, the CBC remains steady in our goals of centering issues of equity and justice for our communities, always remembering that freedom delayed is freedom denied.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and Congressman Troy Carter for anchoring the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour. I rise tonight with my colleagues of the CBC to recognize Gun Violence Awareness Month and to bring attention to the impact of gun violence on Black communities around our Nation. For decades, gun violence has been an epidemic that has had disproportionate and devastating impacts on Black communities. In fact, the facts are sobering and clear. On average, more than 13,000 Black people die from gun violence each year. In the United States, Black Americans die from gun violence at nearly three times the rate of White Americans. In 2023, firearm homicides against Black Americans rose over 23 percent. In that same year, firearm suicides in Black communities increased 50 percent, and unintentional shooting deaths rose 11 percent. In the 5 years since the police murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, police shootings of Black Americans have continued to rise. These are not simply statistics. These are the heartbreaking stories of tragedy and loss that should shake our collective conscience as Americans of goodwill. From the racist murder of nine parishioners at the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, to the racist mass shooting at the Tops grocery store in Buffalo, New York, that claimed the lives of 10 people, to countless police shootings of unarmed Black men, women, and children, our Nation has, unfortunately, bore witness to far too many horrific acts of gun violence against Black communities. This crisis of gun violence requires action, not thoughts and prayers as the American people have become far too accustomed to hearing from many of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Instead of working to pass legislation to keep our communities safe from gun violence, the Republicans included in their reconciliation package a provision that calls for the elimination of registration and ownership requirements for silencers that have been in place since the National Firearms Act went into effect in 1934. By contrast, when House Democrats were in the majority in the 117th Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus was instrumental in passing the most significant piece of gun reform legislation in nearly 30 years with the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden. With that historic legislation, we took meaningful steps to protect our children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the overall threat of gun violence around our country by extending background checks for firearm purchases, clarifying licensing requirements, funding red flag laws and crisis intervention programs, and weakening the boyfriend loophole. While we have made strides toward commonsense gun reform, more needs to be done to keep our communities safe. During this National Gun Violence Awareness Month and throughout the year, the Congressional Black Caucus recognizes the critical need for reforming our gun safety laws to protect all of our communities. Our caucus remains committed to meeting this crisis with the urgency of now to end the senseless acts of violence that take thousands of innocent lives every year. That time for reform is now.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Let me first start by thanking Jennifer McClellan of Virginia and Jim Clyburn of South Carolina for anchoring this evening's Special Order hour on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus. I rise on this day in opposition to President Trump's unprecedented and alarming efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. With no consideration for the will of Congress or the will of the American people, Donald Trump has commenced an attack on education that we haven't seen the likes of since the racist segregationist Plessy versus Ferguson decision declaring separate but equal as an educational doctrine. At a time when racial segregation is increasing in our schools to levels not seen since before the Supreme Court ruled that separate but equal had no place in the United States, Donald Trump's actions will not only make our schools more segregated and less equal but they will put quality education out of reach for countless young Americans today and in the years to come. No matter what justification the President gives, we know the real reason he is tearing apart the Department of Education. That is to steal money from public schools and funnel it into private ones that don't care about teaching our kids, only indoctrinating them into the cult of Trump. Mr. Speaker, make no mistake. These attacks on the Department of Education are deeply, deeply unpopular in every corner of the country. In fact, two-thirds of Americans oppose them. They oppose them because families from all walks of life rely on the Department of Education to meet their children's needs. Districts with high rates of poverty depend on Title I funding to serve their students, just as parents of children with disabilities or special needs depend on IDEA funding to give their kids the care they deserve. In New York's Ninth District alone, the administration has already clawed back $4 million in funds that our schools were entitled to. That figure is as much as $300 million across our State. Because of Trump's war on education, classroom sizes will balloon. Teachers' recruitment will plummet. Higher education will be inaccessible for thousands of students. Money will be taken from students with disabilities and special needs and given to the President's allies. Let's be clear. The President's actions represent a disturbing new step in his crusade against public education and all it represents. I reject his war against education, just as I will reject whatever bill comes before Congress to further damage the Department of Education.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. Only days ago, New York State and our Nation lost a giant, an icon with the passing of Dr. Hazel Nell Dukes. I have known Dr. Dukes for most of my life, and I consider it one of my greatest blessings to have called her my friend, mentor, soror, Link Sister, and inspiration. When we look back on Dr. Dukes' remarkable life, we will remember her tireless advocacy and work to further racial diversity, equity and inclusion, and prosperity for the Black community. We will remember her leadership as president of the NAACP and its New York chapter, which solidified her as a source for social action and change. We will remember how she stood tall against the oppressive status quo of Jim Crow and paved the way forward to a more enlightened, more accepting, more loving era for our country and world. I know I will remember the image of her arm in arm with my mother, Dr. Una Clarke, at the Democratic Convention, where they stood in the trenches together, fighting for the Black community at each other's sides. Truly, Dr. Dukes lived a life of courage, resolve, and unmatched tenacity. We owe her a debt of gratitude that can never be measured or repaid, and I will miss my friend's warmth and wisdom so dearly. Ma Dukes, we will never forget you. May you rest in power. May you rest in peace.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Janelle Bynum from the great State of Oregon and Congressman Shomari Figures from the great State of Alabama for co-anchoring tonight's Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour. I rise today with my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus to commemorate Black History Month and to reflect on the innumerable contributions to our country that Black Americans have made throughout our Nation's history. During Black History Month, we celebrate the generations of Black Americans whose courage, advocacy, sacrifice, and patriotism have moved our Nation and the world forward. From Reconstruction and the Great Migration to the success of Black Wall Street, the jazz age, the Harlem Renaissance, the civil rights movement, and beyond, there is no time in history that Black people have not contributed to the vitality and success of our country. As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, I am proud that as our caucus has grown from 13 visionary members in 1971 to a historic 62 members in the year 2025, 4 of whom serve in the United States Senate, we have continued fighting to dismantle barriers, create opportunities, and protect the rights of our communities. Throughout our Nation's history, the Congressional Black Caucus has been called to confront countless threats to our communities, our educational attainment, our economic prosperity, and our health and well-being. Time and again, we have answered the call and stood in the breach on behalf of Black America and the values that make our country strong. Under the shadow of the Trump administration, we are being called to yet another unprecedented and consequential time in the history and life of our country that we must address head-on. With the creation of the 14th Amendment, America took one step toward rectifying its original sin of slavery and protecting the birthright citizenship of all Black Americans. Threats from President Trump to the 14th Amendment have put Black America, once again, in a perilous position. Today, we are facing cruelty and threats to the very fabric of our democracy and existence. As the Trump administration seeks to continue to take our country back in time, the Congressional Black Caucus stands at the front lines of protecting our communities and calling out these and other thinly veiled attempts to erase centuries of progress for Black America. This administration's recent actions aimed at taking away critical tools of success and our fundamental freedoms will not go unanswered. On the shoulders of our Founders, we will continue to push back against efforts to impede our progress, erase our history, and cut off our access to capital and better opportunities in our communities. This month and every month, we will continue to make clear that the contributions of Black Americans will not and cannot be erased, undermined, or undone. We will continue to fight for access to the ballot box, fair representation, diversity initiatives, and our fundamental freedoms, which are, sadly, under threat each and every day. As the conscience of the Congress, we will not sit back and be silent as these attacks on our communities continue. Our history, Black history, is American history, and we are not going back.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to recognize the Mo Better Jaguars of Brownsville, Brooklyn, who capped off an undefeated season by overcoming their opponent 13-7 in the national Pop Warner Super Bowl in Orlando. Truly, these exceptional young men have defied all the odds and proven precisely what Brooklyn is capable of. While the team's skill, cohesion, and passion were never in question throughout their sensational season, when challenges brought upon by high travel costs arose that would have prevented the Jaguars from competing for the D2 Title, their community stepped in. Through their support, the team succeeded in raising the funds they needed to reach the championship game, where they ultimately prevailed. I extend my sincerest congratulations to every player, coach, family, and fan whose collective efforts led the Mo Better Jaguars to their well-deserved victory. Our community is incredibly proud of their achievements and their dedication, and we look forward to watching their athletic careers continue as they reach new and exciting triumphs.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Strong and Suozzi for leading on this bill, I urge all Members to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi), who is the bill's Democratic lead.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the actions of the Chinese Communist Party at home and around the world have shown us that China is intent on undermining the global standing of the United States and weakening democratic institutions and norms. According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, China is expanding its covert influence and aims to sow doubts about U.S. leadership and undermine democracy, including by interfering in our elections. The FBI director has stated that the CCP poses a broad and unrelenting threat to the United States critical infrastructure. H.R. 9668 would require the Department of Homeland Security to establish a working group to coordinate its efforts to address threats that the CCP poses to the homeland. The working group would evaluate threats posed by the CCP, identify what DHS is doing to address these threats, identify what more could be done to address these threats, and then facilitate coordination across DHS to holistically address the threats from the CCP. By supporting this bill, Congress can ensure that DHS has a strong and unified response to the Chinese Communist Party provocation and aggression. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. CLARKE of New York

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing. Mr. Speaker, we owe our disabled veterans not only our gratitude for their service but our commitment to their continued care. This is a sensible bill that would help ensure disabled veterans are provided the benefits and dignity they deserve. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, during this era of partisanship and discord, there is one issue on which I hope we can all agree: that veterans who are disabled while serving our country should be provided the utmost care and respect. Unfortunately, our current airport security screening systems cause unnecessary delays and intrusions for many disabled veterans. The VETS Safe Travel Act, H.R. 7365, would help address these challenges by allowing veterans with service-connected disabilities and severe injuries to enroll in the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck expedited screening program at no cost to the veteran. Doing so will allow disabled veterans to move through airport screening quickly and with minimal hassle. Importantly, such veterans will still be required to undergo the background checks required for all passengers enrolling in the PreCheck program, thus maintaining the integrity and security of the program. In addition, during committee consideration of this bill, Democrats offered an amendment that would ensure the bill does not unintentionally require TSA to increase PreCheck enrollment fees for all other passengers to pay for the enrollments of disabled veterans. By passing this bill, Congress will improve everyday life for disabled veterans as they travel. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.