Judy Chu

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Chairman, the Small Business Administration's, or SBA's, Women's Business Centers, the WBCs, fill a critical gap in our economy. Despite being more than 50 percent of the population, women own just 30 percent of all businesses, and the same obstacles that keep some from starting a business keep others from growing theirs. By providing specialized resources, Women's Business Centers are designed to make sure women-owned businesses succeed. That is why it is imperative that female entrepreneurs are able to access these resources in a convenient way. The reality is that in large, densely populated areas, the need for these centers is greater due to the higher concentration of women entrepreneurs. In fact, Los Angeles County was home to more women-owned businesses than any other county in the entire country in 2012, yet some women had to wait weeks or months or were forced to travel long distances in order to visit a WBC because the center closest to them was unable to meet the demand. My amendment would address this reality by ensuring that the SBA considers the population density of the area to be serviced when reviewing and selecting eligible organizations for the Women's Business Center grants. We must continue to work to ensure that these centers are convenient and accessible for all women because, when women succeed, America succeeds. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, this month marks the fifth anniversary of the death of my nephew, Harry Lew. While deployed in Afghanistan, Harry was hazed and brutally assaulted by his fellow marines for almost 4 hours. Twenty minutes later, he took his own life. He was 21 years old. Harry's story is not unique. I have now heard from families and servicemembers across the country who have their own tragic stories and tried to seek help, but many are at a loss of where to turn. That is because the Pentagon's guidance on hazing is unclear, inconsistent, and imperfectly applied. Without an accurate system of tracking hazing incidents, we have no way to actually know the full extent of the problem. This failure costs lives. It is time the military treat this problem seriously. My bill, the Harry Lew Military Hazing Accountability and Prevention Act, would require the Department of Defense to track and report annually on the problem of hazing in the military. Our men and women in uniform protect us. We must do what we can to protect them.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Don T. Nakanishi, a renowned professor and pioneer of Asian American Studies, who passed away on Monday, March 21, 2016. Dr. Nakanishi's vision and contributions to the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, the most renowned research and teaching institute of its kind in our nation, forever changed the national dialogue surrounding Asian Americans in politics and academia. His legacy will live on long past his 35 year tenure at UCLA through this Center and the community of students and mentees he guided. Dr. Nakanishi was no stranger to injustice. His mother, father, and elder brother were interned during World War II as a part of the policy against Japanese Americans. While he was born after the war, Dr. Nakanishi was raised in the multi-ethnic neighborhood of East Los Angeles, California and attended Theodore Roosevelt High School. It was in this diverse community that he found his roots and sense of belonging. He eventually became student body president and was selected as boy mayor of the City of Los Angeles during his senior year. While studying political science at Yale University, Dr. Nakanishi cofounded the Amerasia Journal, the top academic journal in the field of Asian American studies. He would continue his work on Asian American issues as a professor at UCLA, eventually becoming the Director for the Asian American Studies Center. It was at the Center that Dr. Nakanishi transformed the understanding of Asian American engagement in politics. When Dr. Nakanishi retired in 2009, the Center's faculty, students, and alumni worked together to establish an endowment in his honor. Every year, the ``Don T Nakanishi Engaged Research Prize'' is awarded to UCLA faculty and graduate students in Asian American Studies who are pursuing ``outstanding, community-based research.'' Throughout his distinguished career, he published over 100 books, reports, essays and articles about the political participation of Asian Americans and other minority ethnic and racial groups in the United States. His work influenced and contributed to the rise of Asian American participation in all levels of government and politics in the later part of the 20th century. In 1976, he began what is now known as the National Asian Pacific American Political Almanac, which lists every Asian American elected official across the nation, and has been called ``an indispensable guide to Asian American politics.'' Due to his accomplishments, President Bill Clinton eventually appointed Dr. Nakanishi to the Civil Liberties Public Education Fund Board of Directors, which administered a nationwide public education and research program designed to inform people of the history surrounding Japanese internment. I was honored to teach the Asian American Contemporary Issues and the Asian American Women courses while Dr. Nakanishi was Director of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center. He was dedicated, insightful and compassionate, and I will always remember his incredible sense of humor, despite the seriousness of the many issues that we had to face. Dr. Nakanishi was a devoted mentor to his students, a stalwart champion for Asian American scholars and activists, and a loving husband and father. The field of Asian American studies has lost one of its great leaders, and we will continue to honor his legacy and commitment to representation for many years to come.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) on their continued efforts to eliminate hunger in the United States by creating and sponsoring the ``Stamp Out Hunger'' Annual Food Drive, the largest one- day food drive in the country. On the second Saturday of May, letter carriers across the United States collect food donations on their postal routes to deliver to community food banks, shelters, and pantries. Each year, over 175,000 letter carriers in more than 10,000 cities and towns participate in Stamp Out Hunger, which collected 71 million pounds of food nationwide in the last year. Stamp Out Hunger began as a pilot program in just ten cities. But soon it became clear that the food drive was a resounding success, and it was expanded nationwide. The program asks postal patrons to place a box or bag of food next to their mailboxes. The food is then picked up, sorted at postal stations and then delivered to local food banks by letter carriers. In my state of California, The California State Association of Letter Carriers is among the top contributors in the nation to the food drive, collecting over 6 million pounds of food in 2015 alone. It is my hope that during the month of May, more Americans will consider becoming involved in the NALC Food Drive to help those members of our communities who face hunger every day. I express my strong appreciation for America's Letter Carriers, and their tradition of community service and commitment to improving the lives of needy citizens. I also wish to acknowledge the NALC's organizing partners--the United States Postal Service, United Food and Commercial Workers International, National Rural Letter Carriers Association, United Way Worldwide, AFL CIO, Valpak, and Valassis for their assistance and support for the Letter Carriers Food Drive. Finally, I urge each American to leave a can of food by their mailbox on the second Saturday in May. Together, we can Stamp Out Hunger and make a difference in the lives of millions of Americans.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Louis Van Iersel by introducing a bill to rename the Sierra Madre post office in his memory. Mr. Van Iersel's incredible life is a true example of the American Dream. He arrived in the United States as an immigrant from the Netherlands in 1917 and enlisted in the U.S. Army the very next day. He learned English while working in the kitchen before moving on to the battlefield. For his acts of bravery that saved over 1,000 American lives on a single mission, Mr. Van Iersel was awarded our Nation's highest recognition, the Medal of Honor. After the war, Mr. Van Iersel moved to my district, in the city of Sierra Madre, to raise his family. But when World War II began, Mr. Van Iersel, along with his three sons, reenlisted, this time serving in the Marines. An immigrant, veteran, father, and husband, Mr. Van Iersel exemplified courage and service to his country. It is my honor to memorialize him forever in this way.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, this morning I stood in front of the Supreme Court with hundreds of passionate voices rallying to defend our right to choice. Before the Court today is one of the most significant abortion cases to be heard in years. For over 40 years now, Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land, recognizing a woman's right to a safe abortion when she needs it and where she needs it. But State laws, like the Texas law in question, chip away at that right so that women must drive hundreds of miles and face serious delays before exercising their right to choice. What is worse is that preventing women from accessing safe medical care has led to a sharp increase in self-induced abortions. We cannot accept putting women at risk by returning to the horrors of the back alley that harmed so many. Today I call on the Supreme Court to keep women safe and recognize that our constitutional rights should not depend on our ZIP Code.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, January 7 and Friday, January 8, 2016, I was unavoidably absent. Had I been present on the House floor on January 7, 2016, I would have voted ``aye'' on Roll Call 13, Rep. Johnson Amendment No. 4; ``aye'' on Roll Call 14, Rep. Cummings Amendment No. 6; ``aye'' on Roll Call 15, Rep. Cicilline Amendment No. 7; ``aye'' on Roll Call 16, Rep. DelBene Amendment No. 8; ``aye'' on Roll Call 17, Rep. Cicilline Amendment No. 9; ``aye'' on Roll Call 18, Rep. Pocan Amendment No. 10; ``aye'' on Roll Call 19, On Motion to Recommit with Instructions; ``no'' on Roll Call 20, On Passage of H.R. 1155, ``Searching for and Cutting Regulations That Are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2015 or the SCRUB Act of 2015; ``no'' on Roll Call 21, On Ordering the Previous Question on H. Res. 581, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1927) to amend title 28, United States Code, to improve fairness in class action litigation; ``no'' on Roll Call 22, on Passage of H. Res. 581, Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1927) to amend title 28, United States Code, to improve fairness in class action litigation. Had I been present on the House floor on Friday, January 8, 2016, I would have voted ``aye'' on Roll Call 23, Rep. Cohen Amendment No. 1; ``aye'' on Roll Call 24, Rep. Conyers Amendment No. 3; ``aye'' on Roll Call 25, Rep. Deutch Amendment No. 4; ``aye'' on Roll Call 26, Rep. Moore Amendment No. 5; ``aye'' on Roll Call 27, Rep. Moore Amendment No. 6; ``aye'' on Roll Call 28, Rep. Waters Amendment No. 7; ``aye'' on Roll Call 29, Rep. Johnson Amendment No. 8; ``aye'' on Roll Call 30, Rep. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 9; ``aye'' on Roll Call 31, Rep. Nadler Amendment No. 10; ``aye'' on Roll Call 32, On Motion to Recommit with Instructions; and ``no'' on Roll Call 33, On Passage of H.R. 1927 to amend title 28, United States Code, to improve fairness in class action litigation or Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2015.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concerns with S. 1177--the Every Student Succeeds Act. I cast my vote in favor of the Every Student Succeeds Act because I believe it is an improvement from No Child Left Behind (NCLB), our nation's current law. However, I strongly believe this legislation falls short in many areas--specifically resource equity, federal authority, and data disaggregation for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students. While I am pleased that S. 1177 requires schools where students are consistently struggling to report on resource inequities, it does not hold states accountable for these inequities. States with dramatic investment disparities will be required only to identify gaps, not necessarily to close them. Additionally, this legislation significantly limits secretarial authority by relinquishing much of the responsibility for monitoring and enforcing protections for vulnerable students from the federal government to the states. History shows us that strong federal oversight compelled states to identify and address achievement gaps faced by minority and low-income students. Without this strong oversight, I am concerned that these vulnerable groups will once again fall through the cracks. Finally, I am very disappointed that S. 1177 does not require that data collected and reported on AAPI students be disaggregated by ethnic subgroups. As the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), I have worked to combat the so-called ``model minority myth,'' which leads people to believe that AAPI students are all high- achieving and successful. In reality, the AAPI population includes over 40 distinct ethnic groups who speak over 100 different languages. However, this diversity in experience and success is often masked when data is not disaggregated by AAPI subgroups. As a result, many AAPI students fail to receive resources that would help them succeed academically. I believe that S. 1177 is an improvement over the patchwork system our country is currently operating under in the wake of NCLB, but it falls short on the promise to serve all of our children. I will continue to work to ensure that every child, regardless of economic background, race, gender, sexual orientation, family history, or ability receives a free, high-quality education that enables them to achieve the American Dream.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, my constituents in San Bernardino County are still reeling from the horror of last week's attack in the city of San Bernardino, as is everybody throughout the Nation. Fourteen people died, at least 21 were injured, and thousands are asking: What now? There are people who are afraid that their office, shopping plaza, or community could be next, which is why already country officials in my area and elsewhere are seeking ways to tighten and improve security so that an attack like this does not happen again. They cannot be alone in this endeavor. It is time for Congress to act. We cannot let terrorists on our own U.S. terrorist watch list buy guns. If you are considered too dangerous to board a plane, you are too dangerous to buy a gun. That is why closing this loophole is just common sense. Yet, over the past 11 years, 2,000 suspected terrorists have walked out of stores with a lethal firearm. Ninety percent of them have been able to buy guns, no questions asked. We have left a huge hole in our counterterrorism efforts, and it is time we close it.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, this week something historic is happening. Leaders from 195 countries are meeting in Paris to discuss a global solution to a global problem: climate change. There is no denying it anymore. Climate change is real. Human activity is contributing to it. Without action, the results will be catastrophic. Yet, while the nations of the world gather in agreement and concern, what are the House Republicans doing? They are rejecting science and reversing what progress we have made. These disapproval resolutions effectively gut EPA's Clean Power Plan and carbon pollution standards for power plants. By attacking the EPA, Republicans are opening the smokestacks to release more of the dangerous emissions we know contribute to global warming. This is reckless. Not only do these resolutions ignore the warnings of the scientific community by reversing progress, they also block the EPA from issuing any standards in the future that are substantially similar. Republicans must accept that our country is evolving. In fact, many States are already running on an increasing amount of renewable energy, reducing energy waste, and decreasing carbon pollution. My own State of California has set a goal of 50 percent renewable energy by 2030, and others are developing their own plans to meet pollution reduction targets. Each new goal towards a cleaner environment only encourages the investments and innovations that will help get us there. That is a benefit to our economy and our world, which is why two-thirds of Americans support a climate change pact. It is time we listen to our constituents, to the vast majority of scientists and experts, and to the tens of thousands of world leaders, experts, and advocates who are seeking a path toward a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. I oppose these resolutions and these reckless attacks on our environment.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a dedicated leader in the labor movement and entertainment industry, Bruce C. Doering, on his retirement as the Executive Director of the International Cinematographer's Guild, IATSE Local 600. His retirement marks the end of a remarkable three decades of improving the lives and working conditions for thousands of entertainment industry union members across the United States. Bruce Doering has been actively involved in the union movement from an early age. As a young steel worker in Chicago, Bruce helped start a union newspaper to expose poor working conditions. He was instrumental in a Chicago Sun Times expose that led to stronger safety regulations and increased incentive bonuses for employees. In 1985, he went to work for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) to begin a career that would have a significant influence on a rapidly expanding creative industry. After initially serving as the Executive Director of Local 659, in Hollywood, Bruce oversaw the merger of three camera unions into a powerful national Cinematographers Guild in 1996. Members are now able to work around the country on projects and still receive their health and retirement benefits. While retirement funds were being slashed around the country, Bruce pushed hard to maintain member eligibility and helped to grow a retirement fund based on a percentage of members' hourly earnings. As a member of the Board of Directors at the Motion Picture Pension and Health Plans since 1986, Bruce has served on numerous committees protecting and enhancing the benefits workers and their families receive. Bruce's tenacity has helped create more job opportunities for members, and ensured them a path into the middle class. During his tenure, Local 600 expanded its reach considerably into reality television. In 2001, he was in the vanguard of the industry's rapidly changing technology, helping recognize the Digital Imaging Technician classification. After a decade-long fight, unit publicists this year finally won the ability to earn their health and pension benefits across the United States. The Local's political presence has been particularly felt in California, where Bruce led Local 600 campaigns supporting time and a half overtime pay, the doubling of unemployment benefits, and supporting union member voices in politics. Bruce's success in guiding IATSE Local 600, and his exceptional career as leader in the union movement is a true inspiration for all of us. We thank him for his service, his leadership in the community, and for being a role model for so many.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak for veterans as we approach Veterans Day this year. These brave men and women risked their lives to protect us all. Yet, today we have companies actively preying on veterans. This is appalling and needs to end. Some of the worst offenses come from payday lenders. Payday loans are high-cost, small-dollar loans, averaging $300 per loan. What makes these loans so dangerous is that they have average interest rates in the triple digits--at times as high as 391 percent. If at the end of the loan period, which typically spans two weeks or the next payday, the borrower cannot pay it off, he or she will be forced to take out another loan to pay off the first loan in addition to the exorbitant accumulated interest. This is the beginning of a cycle of debt. Veterans are highly susceptible to these practices and have become a customer base for these loan schemes. In fact, payday lenders have been known to set up around military bases. In 2006, Congress passed the Military Lending Act to cap interest rates for military loans, but even so, these lenders find ways to exploit servicemembers, veterans, and military families. One study found that 10 percent of veterans leave military service with more than $40,000 in debt. If our men and women heed the call to defend our country, they should not be led to financial traps that could prevent them from transitioning to civilian life successfully. This Veterans Day, I stand with veterans and urge both the private lending sector and Congress to do more to protect our veterans, who deserve our utmost respect.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, we depend on immigrant workers to take some of the toughest jobs. They pick our food, clean our houses, and wash our cars. As U.S. workers, they deserve to freely exercise their labor rights; yet when immigrants want to organize for fair pay or decent working conditions, they are often silenced by unscrupulous employers who retaliate through harassment, abuse, and threats of immigration enforcement. This is unacceptable. When I hear about it, I think of Asuncion Valdivia, who died after 10 hours of grape picking in 105 degree heat. Asuncion did not have the opportunity to report a violation. We cannot allow any voice to be stifled, especially when that voice is speaking out against dangerous or unfair practices. That is why I am introducing the POWER Act this week. This bill expands U visa eligibility for victims of retaliation, strengthens labor agencies' investigative powers, and allows a stay of removal for workers who filed a workplace claim. We must protect our workers, no matter who they are.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, acupuncture is one of the oldest medical treatments in the world. Here in the U.S., the demand for acupuncture has grown significantly in recent years. In fact, about 4 in 10 American adults use alternative medicines. When other treatments may not help, acupuncture can treat chronic pain, mental health issues, substance abuse, and many other illnesses. I will never forget hearing the testimony of a woman who had severe back pain, but did not want invasive surgery, as suggested by her doctor, and possible addiction to morphine. Instead, she sought acupuncture, and it worked for her. Indeed, the National Institutes of Health indicates that, for some medical issues, acupuncture can provide the needed relief. It is my goal to make this treatment available to all Americans, including seniors, our brave servicemembers, and respected veterans. Today I am introducing a bill to do just that. This bill, the Acupuncture for Heroes and Seniors Act, will expand access to acupuncture services to these communities because they deserve to have all the tools at their disposal to live long and healthy lives.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to protect a national treasure. The San Gabriel Mountains are the crown jewel of Los Angeles County, but, for decades, they have suffered from a dire lack of resources. This has meant that the 3 million yearly visitors who have flocked there for the trees, trails, and streams have been greeted with graffiti, trash, and safety hazards. For over 10 years, I and others who love these mountains have fought to get the San Gabriels the resources they deserve; and, just 1 year ago, we celebrated as President Obama declared them a national monument--opening the door to new funding. Today, I am introducing the San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills and River Protection Act to expand that monument and to create a new national recreation area. This bill, with the support of local water, conservation, and recreation groups, will complete the vision of a city seamlessly and sustainably connected to its mountains, mountains that are accessible for all.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, here we are again with Republicans attacking women and Planned Parenthood on the House floor. But now the attacks are taking the form of yet another politically inspired committee. As with the Benghazi committee, Republicans are not seeking out truth or better policy. Instead, they want to use taxpayer-funded resources for a political witch hunt. Here are the facts: Abortion today is protected by our Constitution, and we have found no wrongdoing by Planned Parenthood so far in the three House investigations that are already taking place. Another fact: Planned Parenthood helps women. Every year Planned Parenthood provides 2.1 million patients with family counseling and contraception. They are trying to prevent unwanted pregnancies from occurring in the first place, something that my Republican colleagues should support. Let's not use lies and edited tapes to unfairly color and bring down this organization. We should be better than that. Mr. Speaker, I oppose this committee. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, another day, another attack by Republicans on women's health care in the House of Representatives. But this one is different. It goes beyond the typical attacks on women and endangers their health and the health of entire communities. By holding Medicaid hostage, this bill seeks to intimidate doctors and hospitals into not providing a safe and constitutionally protected service. I am appalled by how far Republicans are willing to go. The language in the bill is so vague that it would allow States to exclude entire providers from the Medicaid program. Minority and low-income women would be disproportionately impacted and would stand to lose access to critical health services like birth control and family planning. It is time to stop the attacks. Women must be free to make their own healthcare choices in consultation with their doctors and without threats from Republican politicians in Washington, and we must have as one of those choices Planned Parenthood. For many, it is the only place they can turn to for even the most basic care. Women--especially low-income women--turn to Planned Parenthood for affordable and dependable primary care services. They fill a vital gap that community health centers can't fill by themselves. We are all better off because of their cancer screenings, STI testing, and wellness exams. Republicans are trying to hold our health care hostage by using baseless attacks to shut down Planned Parenthood, using heavily doctored videos. It is time to stop using health care as a weapon to bully women. We must vote against this bill.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, this bill politicizes women's health and limits women's access to abortion. It interferes with the sacred doctor- patient relationship and substitutes a physician's best judgment with the judgment of a handful of politicians--and, in fact, male politicians. I would note that not a single woman on the other side of the aisle has spoken on this bill. Let me note, it is already illegal to fail to provide care to an infant born alive. There was a bill passed 13 years ago, the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, and that bill was not intended to affect abortion practices or a woman's right to choose. In fact, that is why Judiciary Committee Democrats voted to support it. But what this bill does is to vilify abortion providers. This bill is so broad and the penalties are so severe--up to 5 years in prison--that one can only conclude that the real purpose of this bill is to intimidate abortion providers out of practice. This bill requires doctors and employees of hospitals and clinics that provide abortion services to report any violation of the bill's standard of care to State or Federal law enforcement authorities, and any person--remember, we are talking doctors, cleaning crew, receptionists--that fails to comply with these requirements is threatened with fines and up to 5 years in prison. That is why the 58,000 physicians of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists oppose this bill and says: ``This legislation represents gross interference in the practice of medicine, inserting a politician between a woman and her trusted doctor.'' Let us not forget, politicians are not doctors. We should be concerned about doing our jobs and fully fund high-quality women's health care instead of trying to keep doctors from doing theirs. I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose this dangerous bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler), an outstanding and leading member of our Judiciary Committee.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I have one speaker remaining, and then I will be prepared to close. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.