Joaquin Castro

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, human trafficking, better termed modern-day slavery, has grown into a sprawling and complex billion-dollar criminal enterprise. An estimated 25 million people are currently victims of trafficking, having been forced into abusive situations involving forced labor, sex exploitation, and involuntary domestic servitude. The House Foreign Affairs Committee has a long history of confronting modern-day slavery, and the LIFT Act continues that legacy for this committee. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend and the ranking member of the committee, Mr. McCaul, for authoring this bill, and Mr. Smith for his leadership on this issue for over two decades. In 2000, President Clinton signed into law the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act, now hailed as the most comprehensive legislation on human trafficking to date. That landmark piece of legislation came out of the Foreign Affairs Committee and was authored by our colleague, Chris Smith. That legislation gave the State Department the responsibility of drafting the annual Trafficking Report, which has been a critical resource in pushing countries to take action to combat human trafficking. The bill before us ensures that the State Department has adequate time to prepare the annual Trafficking Report. It streamlines data sharing among bureaus on visa denials for human traffickers and engages trafficking survivors in our policymaking process. We must continue to fight modern-day slavery and work to enact legislation that brings us to a brighter future free of this horrific injustice. Today's measure is a step in that direction, and I hope all of my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, will join me in supporting it. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Judiciary, Washington, DC, July 30, 2020. Hon. Eliot L. Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Engel: This is to advise you that the Committee on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to review the provisions in H.R. 5664, the LIFT Act, that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate your consulting with us on those provisions. The Judiciary Committee has no objection to your including them in the bill for consideration on the House floor, and to expedite that consideration is willing to waive sequential referral, with the understanding that we do not thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over those provisions or their subject matters. In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar legislation is convened, the Judiciary Committee reserves the right to request an appropriate number of conferees to address any concerns with these or similar provisions that may arise in conference. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our committees. Sincerely, Jerrold Nadler, Chairman.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume for the purpose of closing. Combating human trafficking is a global challenge, and we are proud of the State Department's critical role in that effort. This legislation will ensure that the Department has the tools and resources necessary to counter these heinous human rights abuses. I would like to thank the ranking member, Mr. McCaul, for his work on this important issue. This is a strong bill that I am pleased to support, and I urge my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, to do the same. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6210) ensuring that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China do not enter the United States market, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include in the Record extraneous material on H.R. 6210.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The human rights atrocities the Chinese Government is perpetuating in Xinjiang are now well-known. More than 1 million Uyghur and Muslim ethnic minorities have been thrown in detention camps, where they face torture, brainwashing, sexual abuse, and even forced sterilization. These atrocities are horrific, and the Congress has acted to hold perpetrators of these crimes accountable by passing the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act. But we must not stop there. The legislation we are considering today focuses on a specific form of abuse in Xinjiang: forced labor, an abuse of human rights which also has grave implications for supply chains and consumers worldwide. Importing goods made from forced labor violates U.S. law, and Americans certainly would not want to contribute to the PRC Government's human rights abuses by unwittingly purchasing apparel or hair products made by a detained Uyghur. Among other things, this legislation reaffirms U.S. policy to reduce the number and types of goods made from forced labor, mandates reports surrounding the U.S. Government's strategy to spread awareness of forced labor in Xinjiang and address that challenge, and requires the Secretary of State to determine whether the practice of forced labor in Xinjiang constitutes crimes against humanity or even genocide. This measure builds on what Congress has already done to hold the Chinese Government accountable and to end the mass detention, repression, and surveillance of minorities in Xinjiang. I thank Chairman McGovern, Mr. Smith, and other bipartisan champions for their consistent leadership on these issues, and I hope Congress can, as we have before, take a strong stand against Beijing and its crimes. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of the bill. This is a good measure. I am pleased to support it, and I am also pleased that it has, I believe, bipartisan support. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC, September 17, 2020. Hon. Eliot Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Engel: This is to advise you that the Committee on the Judiciary has now had an opportunity to review the provisions in H.R. 6210, the ``Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act,'' that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction. I appreciate your consulting with us on those provisions. The Judiciary Committee has no objection to your including them in the bill for consideration on the House floor, and to expedite that consideration is willing to forgo action on H.R. 6210, with the understanding that we do not thereby waive any future jurisdictional claim over those provisions or their subject matters. In the event a House-Senate conference on this or similar legislation is convened, the Judiciary Committee reserves the right to request an appropriate number of conferees to address any concerns with these or similar provisions that may arise in conference. Please place this letter into the Congressional Record during consideration of the measure on the House floor. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our committees. Sincerely, Jerrold Nadler, Chairman.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), our distinguished Speaker of the House.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline), a valued member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4864) to develop and implement policies to advance early childhood development, to provide assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children in developing countries, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 2166.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, pandemics don't respect borders and they don't care about nationalities. We have witnessed that this year with the spread of the coronavirus. That is why this bill comes before us at a critical time. I want to say a very big thank you to Gerry Connolly from Virginia for authoring this important legislation. In the last 8 months, we have watched this pandemic spread around the world, upending the global economy, disrupting our lives and creating grave uncertainty about what happens next. Unfortunately, the administration's catastrophic response to the current COVID-19 pandemic has led to nearly 200,000 American deaths. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Washington, DC, July 30, 2020. Hon. Eliot L. Engel, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Engel: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 2166, the ``Global Health Security Act of 2020.'' There are certain provisions in this legislation that fall within the Rule X jurisdiction of the Armed Services Committee. In the interest of permitting your Committee to proceed expeditiously to floor consideration of this important bill, we will not formally consider H.R. 2166. We do so with the understanding that by waiving consideration of the bill, the Committee on Armed Services does not waive any future jurisdictional claims over the subject matters contained in the bill which fall within its Rule X jurisdiction. Please ensure that our exchange of letters is included in the Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill. Thank you for the cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this matter and others between our respective Committees. Sincerely, Adam Smith, Chairman.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and that is undoubtedly true in global health. We have seen firsthand the dangers of a lack of preparedness. Today's legislation will prepare a coordinated response for future pandemics. I give a special thank you to Mr. Connolly for authoring this important legislation and, of course, I thank Mr. McCaul of Texas and the others who have worked in a bipartisan way to get this bill to the floor today. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, for far too long, far too many people have lost their lives to police brutality. And for far too long, the government has failed to protect the people. That changes today. This is a first, yet significant step to save lives, especially Black lives. In my hometown of San Antonio, police violence has existed for generations. In just the last few years, Marquise Jones was killed by an off-duty officer during a routine fender-bender. Antronie Scott was killed by an officer who thought a cell phone was a gun. Charles Roundtree was killed by police. He was only 18 years old. The Latino community has also suffered from police brutality. Andres Guardado and Carlos Lopez are the latest to be killed. Forty years ago, in San Antonio, Hector Santoscoy was killed by a police officer who had also killed a Black man, Bobby Jo Phillips, in 1968. The cases we see on video are only a fraction of the misconduct and abuse that occurs every day, leaving long-lasting physical, mental, and sociological damage. The good, lifesaving work of police is undercut by the blue code of secrecy, officers who refuse to tell on each other, police unions that never admit when they are wrong, and politicians who have been afraid to take on police unions. This Congress must have the courage to act now and pass this legislation.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of United States Navy Veteran and Firefighter Paul Garcia who passed away on February 14, 2020 at the age of 93. Mr. Garcia hails from my hometown of San Antonio and is survived by his wife, Aurora Garcia; children, Marie Diaz de Leon and husband, David; Leroy Garcia and wife, Carrie; grandchildren, David Diaz de Leon Jr. and Frank Diaz de Leon; and 17 great grandchildren. A World War II Navy Veteran with over 25 years of civil service, Mr. Garcia's life represents honor and commitment. His journey is one of true distinction that warrants the highest praise. He will be greatly missed. Paul Garcia was born on February 9, 1927 in San Antonio, Texas to Policarpio and Maria de Jesus Garcia, who migrated from Mexico in 1915. At an early age, he was interested in serving the country that he so loved, and he carried such adoration throughout his life. He joined the United States Navy at the age of 17, where he eventually served in the Pacific Theater and in the liberation of the Philippine Islands from Japanese Forces during World War II. Mr. Garcia's honorable service earned him the World War II Victory Medal, The American Campaign Medal, The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Honorable Service Lapel Button and the Honorable Discharge Lapel Pin. Eventually, his journey led him back to San Antonio where he worked in civil service for 25 years at Kelly Air Force Base. Madam Speaker, I am thankful to have known such a remarkable person who dedicated himself to service and family. Although I am deeply saddened by his loss, I am comforted by knowing that his memory will live on though his many loved ones.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of United States Army Sergeant First Class Javier J. Gutierrez who died on February 8, 2020, in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Sergeant First Class Gutierrez is from my hometown of San Antonio, Texas and is survived by his wife Gabriela Gutierrez, four children, and parents Sylvia and Javier Gutierrez. I am deeply saddened by his passing but also confident that his memory will live on through his many loved ones and our entire community. Javier Jaguar Gutierrez was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, on August 12, 1991. At an early age he demonstrated an interest in joining the military and following in his father's footsteps. His father, Javier S. Gutierrez, served in the United States Marine Corps as an enlisted combat engineer during the Gulf War. His great-grandfather, Thomas Ortiz, served in the Army Air Forces as a bombardier during World War II. He was a prisoner of war, taken by the Nazis after his plane was shot down. Shortly after graduating from Luther Burbank High School in 2009, Gutierrez enlisted in the United States Army, where he was stationed at the 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He later went on to attend Special Forces assessment and selection, graduating in 2015 as a Communications Sergeant and assignment at the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Airborne Group at Eglin Air Force Base of Florida. Sergeant First Class Gutierrez was a person of high quality whose humility was only matched by his commitment to service. During his 11 years of remarkable service, he received several awards, which included the Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Expert Infantry and Parachutist Badges; and the Special Forces Tab. Sergeant First Class Gutierrez was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and promoted to the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize the life and service of a person who dedicated themselves to family and country above all else. The entire San Antonio community mourns the loss of an American hero. We will be forever indebted to this true patriot whose sacrifice cannot be measured. I thank Sergeant First Class Gutierrez for his service, his bravery, and for his unending commitment to our great country.

Mr. CASTRO

Mr. CASTRO. Mr. Speaker, this month, the American people were unwillingly taken to the brink of war at the reckless direction of this administration. As a coequal branch of government, we must ensure that no President can take any military action without coming to Congress first. Repealing the 2002 AUMF and passing the No War Against Iran Act will prevent any future escalation or military action without the full consideration and consent of this body. At the same time, they preserve the military's ability to take actions in self-defense to protect our forces. The American people are tired of unnecessary wars that leave our country less safe. It is our responsibility as elected Representatives to prevent our Nation from entering an unnecessary war with Iran. These measures are critical in that respect. We cannot allow recklessness to lead us into a protracted conflict that is not in our interests and will lead to suffering.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of Judge Ray Olivarri who passed away on January 15, 2020 at the age of 64. A community leader and lifelong public servant, Judge Olivarri hails from my hometown of San Antonio, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Olivarri; two children, Lauren and Jeffrey Olivarri; and grandson Jeffrey Olivarri, Jr. He will be greatly missed. Judge Ray Olivarri was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Upon graduating from Luther Burbank High School, he went on to become a probation officer with Bexar County and served on the City of San Antonio Zoning Commission. Later, he went on to pursue a law degree from Texas Southern University in Houston. After practicing as a criminal defense lawyer, Olivarri was elected to serve in 2006 as judge for Bexar County Court at Law No. 6. In 2012, he was elected to serve on the 399th State District Court for four years. Eventually, his journey led him to serve as state judge for the 144th District Court upon his election win in 2018. Judge Olivarri served on the 144th before illness compelled him to step down. Olivarri was a person of high caliber whose kindness was only matched by his dedication to his family and career. Olivarri was a compassionate justice, sensitive to the vulnerabilities of those who came before him. Madam Speaker, I am proud to have known such a remarkable individual who defined what it means to live in the service of others. The entire San Antonio community mourns this tremendous loss. I know his legacy and memory will live on in every single life he changed. Judge, thank you for your many years of public service and commitment to our community.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the last few days, the American people have been unwillingly taken to the brink of war at the direction of this administration. Through reckless actions, the White House has unified the Iranian public, alienated our partners in Iraq and Europe, undermined the fight against ISIS, and left the United States more isolated than before; all in just 1 week, and without the consent of this Congress. This is a grave and serious moment in our country. Two days ago, our brave men and women in uniform came under fire from 22 Iranian missiles, in harm's way because of their Commander in Chief. Every American owes a debt of gratitude to our military for its courage and sacrifice. For that reason, a decision that risks troops' well-being must only be made thoughtfully and with the informed consent of the public and this Congress. As a Member of Congress, my biggest priority is to protect the safety of the American people, at home and abroad. This can only be done by defending Congress' constitutional authority over declaring war. For that reason, I urge us to support this resolution.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, as my colleagues have said, the evidence of the President's abuse of power and obstruction of Congress is uncontested. But let's outline a few key events involving the nearly $400 million in military aid that was held up by President Trump and for President Trump despite congressional mandate. The summer of 2019 was a summer of shame at the White House. On July 3, the White House first blocked security assistance money for Ukraine with no explanation. On July 10, Gordon Sondland states, during a White House meeting with Ukrainian officials, that they will get a White House meeting only after announcing an investigation into President Trump's political rival. On July 18, a White House staffer announces the freeze on Ukrainian aid, per direct Presidential order. And just one day after Robert Mueller's testimony before Congress, President Trump makes a now infamous phone call with Zelensky asking him to investigate the Bidens. Then, things start to fall apart. The White House learns that a whistleblower has reported President Trump's phone call with President Zelensky in a complaint. On September 9, Congress starts to investigate the President's actions, and then the jig is up. On September 11, the aid is suddenly released without explanation-- over 2 months later. When you read the call transcript and follow the timeline I have laid out, guilty is guilty. Nothing changed during that time regarding the President's supposed concerns over corruption. So let's be clear. The military aid was released because the President got caught. But getting caught doesn't get you off the hook. And I ask my colleagues: Is attempted murder a crime? Is attempted robbery a crime? Is attempted extortion and bribery by a President a crime? Yes, it is. The only question now is whether we will find the moral courage to stand up for our country and impeach the President of the United States.

Mr. CASTRO of Texas

Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5038, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019. I am very proud to support Congresswoman Lofgren, members of the Hispanic Caucus, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who helped make this bill possible today. There are, in the United States, four or five major industries that would not exist the way they do but for immigrant labor, documented, and undocumented. One of those industries is the agriculture industry. This bill would recognize the important work that undocumented workers do in our agriculture industry. It would recognize that their work deserves respect; that it is dignified; that it has a place in our country; and that they have a place in our country. It would do so by allowing for a path to legal status for these workers. For 2 million folks, it would mean that they would no longer face the threat of deportation; that they and their families could rest assured that in the middle of the night they would not be taken away from their children. This legislation is important to our country, and I hope that all of my colleagues, Republican and Democrat, will support it today.