Tony Cárdenas

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege and an honor to represent the community of the San Fernando Valley here in the United States Congress. I think it is my duty and responsibility to make sure that when something is going on in Washington, people should know what is going to happen to them and how it affects them. I think it is really important for everybody to understand that right now in the workings--and it is probably going to come to this floor in just a few days--is the Speaker Ryan-McConnell tax giveaways to big corporations, which will actually increase taxes for working families, working mothers and fathers. I think it is important for people to understand that this is something that is being sold as a middle-income tax cut. Actually, what it is going to do is it is going to cut the take-home income to middle class families. What it is going to mean is if you are a police officer or a teacher or a waitress, you are going to see less money every week. It might be $5 less a week, it might be $50 less a week, it might be $100. Let me tell you, the opposite of what is going to happen should this become law is that the biggest corporations in America are going to see $1 million less in taxes a week, maybe $50 million less in taxes paid a week, maybe $100 million less per week paid in taxes. Some people are thinking: Well, they earned it. They should keep it. Well, okay. I understand what you are saying. But, see, this is the fundamental problem of this $1.5 trillion reduction in the ability for our Federal Government to fund things like Medicaid and Medicare. Because when we see less money, you are going to see Members on this floor and in committees throughout this House and in the United States Senate saying: Well, we don't have the money. When they see a mother whose child has cerebral palsy and she is saying, ``I go to work every single day, and thank you, government, for allowing my child to be in a program so that he or she can be safe while I go to work,'' they are going to say, ``You know what? I agree with you, ma'am. We should fund that, but since we don't have the money anymore, we are going to stop funding that.'' This is a woman who just wants to work for a living. This is a person who just wants to make sure that she can have the dignity of work and have her child in a safe place, but we are going to cut those programs if we have this tax giveaway go through Congress and signed by this President. You see, it is a multistep process. And what some of my colleagues-- and so far, the only ones voting for this tax giveaway are my Republican colleagues. I say that accurately, not to be partisan, but just to be honest and accurate. They say we have to do this; it is going to stimulate the economy. Well, also, in this package, this plan that they want to make into a law, basically what it will do, it will actually incentivize the biggest corporations in America, American corporations. It is going to incentivize them to go ahead and close up shop in your neighborhood and go set up shop somewhere else in the world. And the only connection they are going to have with you, ladies and gentlemen, is they are going to want to sell those products to you, built by other than American hands in other parts of the world. The only other connection they are going to have is this: They are going to be able to bring their money, their profits, back to the United States, pretty much free and clear, and just count their money here, where they call themselves an American corporation. I think it is important, ladies and gentlemen, that we recognize that this is something that is wrong. This is something that is going to hurt the middle class. This is something, again, if you are a teacher, if you are a police officer, if you are busdriver, this is going to hurt you. If you are a single mother who is working every single day, proud to do that, you are going to see that you are not going to have the support you need to make sure that that childcare continues for your child. If you are a family member that has a mother or father whose only income is Social Security, they probably depend on Meals on Wheels. They probably depend on programs like that. Some of that comes from your Federal Government. But when these Republican colleagues cut $1.5 trillion out of the United States budget, it is going to come out of you, ladies and gentlemen. The people who have worked hard, seniors who are finally retired and should have the dignity of having a dignified life and having at least one darned meal a day, that is where it is going to come out of. Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to warn you, please call your Members of Congress. Please make sure that you let them know: I don't want that kind of giveaway.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Chair, this year, wildfires have devastated the American West. It has been particularly tragic in my home State of California. Entire neighborhoods are gone, and families have been left with nothing. While we know that proper forest management requires burning, we need to be able to contain wildfires that threaten communities. This month, wildfires killed 42 people, burned over 245,000 acres, and destroyed an estimated 8,900 structures, most of them people's family homes, according to Cal Fire. The fires aren't just dangerous themselves, they produce thick smoke, toxic ash, and debris that pose long-lasting risks to our health and to the environment. These wildfires continue to grow in frequency and ferocity. We must ensure that we are using all of the available tools to prevent and contain these fires. That is why I ask that this amendment, which promotes innovation in wildfire management, be adopted. The amendment would require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study evaluating the feasibility, safety, and cost effectiveness of using unmanned aerial vehicles, otherwise known as drones, for the purposes of fighting wildfires. It will also study the use of drones for forest restoration and management, which could be effective for replanting remote areas of forest. The Secretary of Agriculture would have to work with several other agencies that also deal with wildfire suppression and aviation. This amendment would require consultation with the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure safety for our aircraft and the pilots flying in the same airspace. It would also assess the impact of using drones on employment in the U.S. Innovation will take us into the future. But we need to know, eyes wide open, how this affects the employment landscape of our communities. And that is why these studies are also important. The Department is required to report to Congress within 2 years of enactment. If implemented, I look forward to seeing the results of this study. I believe it will help add another tool to the toolkit in protecting American lives, homes, property, businesses, wildlife, and forests from devastating fires. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to adopt amendment No. 4, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Chairman, I like the kind words that my colleagues have said about this amendment, and I hope that it goes forward. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of Mr. Johnny Marines. Mr. Marines is actively involved in the betterment of his community, the Los Angeles region, and in neighborhoods across our great nation. Mr. Marines has been recognized by countless local leaders in both New York and California for his tremendous support to the community and dedication to assisting those in need. Mr. Marines, a native of the Lower East Side of New York, has been a great force in the rise of the popular Latin American group, Aventura and more recently, bachata star, Romeo Santos. Johnny Marines founded JME, a diversified entertainment and media company with ventures in integrating music, film, television and philanthropy. Johnny has made it his mission to grow the number of opportunities for Latino musical artists to be successful and make an impact on the community that listens to these artists. Before becoming involved in the music industry, Mr. Marines dedicated his life to protecting and serving New York City residents. He attended John Jay College School of Criminal Justice until he was recruited by the NYPD on August 30, 1993. In March 1994, Johnny graduated from the New York Police Academy in the top 10 percent of his class. Mr. Marines was promoted to the rank of sergeant in March 2003, retiring with that rank in February 2009. He has not forgotten his humble roots and the neighborhood that had a profound impact on his upbringing. Mr. Marines has committed to dedicating his time and resources to give back to his community. Mr. Marines has worked with elected officials and music groups to provide holiday dinners to needy families, ship food and supplies to struggling families in the Dominican Republic, and visit sick children in hospitals in an effort to lift their spirits. Mr. Marines has led the way in helping others in California in the City and County of Los Angeles, focusing on assisting Angelenos with developmental disabilities. Mr. Marines has established himself as a leader and a charitable American utilizing his talents to create unique opportunities for all ages to thrive and impact the world. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Johnny Marines and applauding his contributions and philanthropic endeavors.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to oppose the inclusion of $1.6 billion that would be a waste of taxpayer money on this useless wall. The funds will go towards an unnecessary wall along the Southern border. This wall that the President promised voters that Mexico would pay for is now being put on the taxpayers' backs. $1.6 billion can be used for better things. It can pay for thousands of jobs in the U.S. and workforce development programs and apprenticeships. And one other thing: agents protecting our border don't even want it. They do not see themselves as defenders of a wall. Mr. President, please come back to reality. This is not ``Game of Thrones.'' This administration needs to stop demonizing people outside of our borders. We need to fix our immigration system, and we can do it in a humane and pragmatic and effective way, and in a way that will supercharge our economy and actually create American jobs.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 806. I call it the ``Smog Is Back'' bill. I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. As a boy, I was not allowed to play outside due to smog alerts, and you couldn't see the mountains just a few miles away. I have told my kids. They don't know what a smog alert is. You get to see the mountains 365 days a year. That is because we got smart about cutting pollution. We passed commonsense regulations, and the impact was remarkable. Yet today, as I stand here, this Congress is trying to strip those protections and take us back to a dangerous time. It is not a joke, and this is shameful. Just over a year ago, my first grandchild was born. It infuriates me that he could grow up with the same restrictions that I had after we have made so much progress. We should be making the world a better place for our children and grandchildren. Mr. Chairman, when it comes to smog, it is not good to go back to the future. It is just wrong. I urge my colleagues to oppose this legislation for the sake of all children.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I have the honor and the privilege of being a United States Congressman, and with that comes tremendous responsibility. We have a country of over 320 million people--men, women, and children. And right now, we may be days away or even a couple of weeks away from watching the United States Senate possibly change healthcare for America like we have never seen before. I hope and pray that my colleagues in both Houses and the President of the United States try their best to make sure that we enhance healthcare access rather than divert more than 20 million people away from being able to see a doctor. Just last week I was visited by some young folks and I was given this red band called ``Will Power'' for a little boy named Will, who has gone through many operations. If these bills see the light of day and the President's desk and gets into law, people like Will just might not be around very much longer. Mr. Speaker, let's hope and pray that we do the right thing

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 2430, the FDA Reauthorization Act. I also would like to thank the chairman and ranking member of the Energy and Commerce Committee for working so hard to get this important bill on the floor here today. This reauthorization bill provides the FDA with the resources to complete an important and difficult job: ensuring timely and efficient drug review processes while maintaining rigorous scientific and safety standards to maintain the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs, biological products, medical devices, and therapies that Americans have access to today and tomorrow. I am lucky to have been born and raised in this great country where we have access to the latest innovation in the life sciences sector. I wish my parents had been raised right here in this great, wonderful country so they may still be here today, so that they could enjoy time with their grandchildren if I have been so blessed to do so myself. The FDA is seen as the gold standard around the world, and this bill keeps us right there, right at the top. I am encouraged to see my colleagues working together to ensure that the FDA is able to continue to fulfill this responsibility, and I look forward to continue working to have this reauthorization passed out of Congress.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I also want to take the opportunity to thank my colleague for all of his diligence and incredible effort to make sure that we are here today with the successful passage of this important legislation. The bill we are considering today, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017, is a bill that puts Congress back in the driver's seat of evidence-based reform of our Nation's juvenile justice system. For far too long, Congress has failed to reauthorize the landmark Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act passed in 1974. The most important Federal juvenile justice statute has been expired for almost a decade. I came to Congress to effect change at a national level and to serve the people of my district and all of the people across this great country. Congress has fallen behind the leadership and the progress of Democratic and Republican States alike and cities, as well, across the Nation who have had to take the lead without us. Passing this bill is a step in the right direction and will demonstrate to States and cities across this great country that Congress is listening and acting. This bill addresses many of the issues that I have been working on in my career as a State legislator, as a city councilman, and now as a Federal elected public servant. For instance, it helps cities and local organizations fund community-based gang prevention and intervention programs. When I was on the Los Angeles City Council, I made sure that organizations receiving taxpayer dollars from our city were actually achieving the results that they had promised. I am pleased that this bill includes a strong emphasis on research and science and making sure that evidence-based programs are prioritized. It ensures that we are supporting programs and organizations that work, which will save the taxpayers billions of dollars in the short run, hundreds of billions of dollars in the long run, and also make our communities much, much safer. This bill supports programs that ensure youth have access to appropriate legal representation and programs to expand access. This bill supports programs designed to educate kids and their families about how they can go about sealing and expunging their juvenile records and to help them do that along the way. This bill supports programs focused on girls in the juvenile justice system. Equally important, this bill makes sure that all ethnicity is recorded so we can get a better understanding of who is in our juvenile justice system and address any disparities if we find them. This bill will put us on a path to ensuring kids are not detained for an offense that would not be a crime if committed as an adult, such as skipping school or running away from home. It is high time we reauthorize the JJDPA, and I hope my colleagues in the House and Senate can come together to advance this critical update to our juvenile justice laws. It is our responsibility to lead. I urge my colleagues to be leaders by voting for the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017. Once again, it is long, long overdue.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged and honored to be a Member of this House, and it is very frustrating for us to come here week after week and to not do the business of the people of the United States of America. One of those impediments is that we have a President of the United States who is trying to force and push this Congress, and many others in his administration, to do things that are not right for the people and this country. I think it is important for us to understand that when and if you get an opportunity to read the legislation called TrumpCare, you will realize that really what it is about is Trump doesn't care about your healthcare. Please, just read it. I apologize for talking about the 24 million-plus Americans who will lose their healthcare if this bill were to become law. I apologize because I need to remind each individual that they will likely lose the ability to see a doctor if this bill becomes law. Please, please, help us. Please, focus on what is going on here in Washington and what is not going on here in Washington for everyone's sake.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, this is National Infrastructure Week; yet, at the same time, our current President promised that, as soon as he took office, he was going to put forth a trillion-dollar infrastructure package. Where is that package? We haven't seen it. The economy is the number one thing we should all be focusing on. Everything else should fall into place after that. Yet this White House is too busy in turmoil to take care of the core business of this country. It is actually White House crisis week again. That is a sad comment, but it is the truth. Once again we hear about a President who is not respecting the fact that we have allies around the world who are there sharing information that should not be shared with the Russians, and yet, at the same time, this President chooses to violate that responsibility. The American people and economy are losing confidence in our President and our White House. They shouldn't be given these disturbing reports that come out almost every day. The actions are undermining our economy. It is undermining the confidence in our infrastructure, and it is undermining our confidence of the United States around the world.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, the Lord works in mysterious ways. Any person today can go online and look at the speech that Jimmy Kimmel made live on television. He talks about his newborn little boy. He talks about how, within a few minutes, they had to whisk him over to another hospital to give him an emergency operation on his heart. He was very emotional. But he didn't just talk about him and his wife and his little daughter and his newborn son. He talked about how no person, no family, or no child should ever have to be denied that opportunity for that lifesaving operation, especially right here in the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, the Lord works in mysterious ways because this is the perfect time for every American to go online and look at the Jimmy Kimmel speech. It is not politics, ladies and gentlemen, it is love. It is respect not only for his little boy, but for this great country and how we can be greater. That is why we need to improve our healthcare system, not tear it down.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Chair, I appreciate all the great work that my colleague, Congressman Conyers, has done not only on this issue, for the many years you have served distinguishably in this Congress, but thank you so much for yielding some time. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1695, the Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act of 2017. I represent the San Fernando Valley, which is in the Los Angeles area. For my constituents, for the families in my district, copyright protections are not an abstract philosophical issue, ladies and gentlemen. The families in my district depend on strong copyright protections in order to earn a living, to feed their family. They work in film and television studios and in music publishing. They are artists, set designers, producers, union drivers; they work on lots, and they work in every aspect supporting this incredible industry. There are 127,000 film and television production jobs in Los Angeles County. According to a recent report, the core copyright industries-- film, television, music, video games, and publishing--make possible 5.5 million jobs and bring in $1.2 trillion of gross domestic product to the American economy. Good copyright laws and regulations mean jobs and whether or not a family can put food on the table and a roof over their heads. We need to give the Copyright Office the respect and authority it deserves as the overseer of 5.5 million American jobs. I have heard from my constituents for years about the need to empower the Copyright Office to keep up with the industry and the technology changes. This is not a new debate, ladies and gentlemen. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill and to continue to stand up for American copyright jobs.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to be a Member of this House and to serve the public. This week I announced that it is National Youth Violence Prevention Week. Preventing youth violence can't happen overnight. It requires change across our society, from our courts to our classrooms. This week I introduced a package of bills to correct these problems that we have imposed upon our children and our communities. I urge my colleagues to get serious about these issues. Our children are our future. We owe our children every opportunity. We owe our children a system that works with them and for them. It is not a system that is out to get them. We do not owe our children a system that allows them to be in our streets and to not be safe. For example, to make sure that our children are safe, means that we have safer communities. Right now the United States of America has a criminal justice system that spends over $80 billion a year to incarcerate men, women, and children. And who do these adults incarcerated become eventually? Well, once they were children. We can correct the system. We are the most incarcerated place on the planet in every sense of the word. We can change this. We must change this for the sake of our communities.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the work of the DIY Girls InvenTeam, a group of 12 incredible young women from the San Fernando Valley. These young scientists invented a tent with solar panels to aid refugees and the homeless. Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to meet these 12 young women at their high school, my alma mater, San Fernando High. As an engineer myself, I recognize how impressive their work is. Not only did these women create something amazing, but it was rooted in a desire to help other people. The DIY Girls InvenTeam has received one of just fifteen $10,000 grants awarded by MIT. It is also noteworthy that these young scientists were able to come together through the help of DIY Girls, a grassroots program that empowers young women to become scientists. As their Representative, I am proud to highlight their work. I know we will continue to see great accomplishments from these bright, young women as they master science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to own up to their bad bill. It is clear this is not what the American people deserve or what the American people are asking for. This legislation guts Medicaid. It steals from Medicare. It crushes our seniors and our working families. And just when you thought it couldn't get worse, they went after veterans and their children. What's more, this bill means insurance companies won't cover new mothers, newborn babies, and prescription drugs. The Republicans are making health care for Americans worse and worse and worse. The Republicans have secretly wheeled and dealed in back rooms at the expense of millions of Americans in our great country, while giving tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to own up to this bill and oppose it for the sake of the American people. God bless us.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I stand here with this simple explanation about what TrumpCare really means for Americans: You pay more for less care. Twenty-four million Americans will lose the access to health care by losing their insurance. It is an age tax on older Americans; and it guts Medicaid that not only goes to seniors now, it goes to young people as well, young families. But it is also a huge tax cut for millionaires. If you look at TrumpCare, you realize the great supposed negotiator actually has a great reputation of being the great bankrupter. What this TrumpCare will do: It will affect tens of millions of Americans, and it will put them into misery, take away the dignity of health care and put them in a place that no one should ever have to be: lacking the dignity of being able to see a doctor. This is going to send us back to the Dark Ages. You probably think I am exaggerating, but when you look at these facts, you realize that is just the truth. These are the facts. Beware of what you are being sold. This is not going to help America.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today gravely concerned for the lives put at risk by the Republicans' repeal scheme. Trump has flip- flopped on his promises to the American people. I recently heard from a person named Nancy who lives in my district. Nancy said: I am not asking for a handout. I have been a gainfully employed taxpayer for close to 40 years. Nancy was able to pursue her dream of opening her own small business because she could finally afford her own health care. This bill breaks Trump's promise to Nancy and to millions of Americans. It does not lower deductibles or drug prices, and it doesn't provide better coverage. Instead, they are purposefully taking away the health insurance from 24 million Americans by cutting $170 billion from Medicare and $880 billion from Medicaid. Why are they doing this? Simply to give a $600 billion tax cut to millionaires. Let me be very clear. This bill hurts kids, women, families, working people, the disabled, and seniors.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against this rule and H.J. Res. 69, which we will be debating tomorrow. Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service updated its regulations for national wildlife refuges in Alaska to prohibit the cruelest killing methods of wolves, grizzly bears, and other native mammals in Alaska. The rule FWS put forward makes sense. It even makes clear that it does not apply to subsistence hunting or restrict the taking of wildlife for public safety purposes or in defense of property. Yet, here we are, just 6 months later, and Republicans are pushing through this resolution to overturn the rule and make egregious and cruel hunting methods common practice in Alaska. They are inhumane methods, such as denning of wolves and their pups, using airplanes to scout and shoot grizzly bears, and trapping grizzly bears with steel-jawed traps. These cruel methods should never be allowed anywhere. This resolution is irresponsible and inhumane. As with other Congressional Review Act resolutions, H.J. Res. 69 will have a chilling effect. This and future administrations would be prohibited from ever issuing a similar rule, making inhumane and reprehensible hunting methods the law of the land. This resolution handcuffs our Federal wildlife managers from protecting our refuges, our national resources, and our wildlife. We must ensure that our children and grandchildren will someday enjoy the majestic national beauty of the native mammals in Alaska and across our great Nation. I urge my colleagues to reject this rule and also vote ``no'' on H.J. Res. 69.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, as a proud American, I ask to bring up H.R. 724, which would rescind President Trump's refugee ban on women like the Yazidi refugee from Iraq whose life is in danger because of her husband's work with Americans and who was refused boarding on a flight to the U.S. out of Erbil.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the incredible work of former-Congressman and now California State Attorney General Xavier Becerra. Attorney General Becerra holds nearly three decades of elected public service as a State legislator, a Member of Congress, and now as California's attorney general. I am proud to call Xavier Becerra my friend. It has been a pleasure to work alongside him as he courageously fought for all Americans, for women, LGBTQ communities, minorities, and comprehensive immigration reform. He is the first Latino to serve as a member of one of the powerful committees in our House, and he is also the first Latino chairman of the Democratic Caucus. Through his leadership and guidance, our priorities have become more defined and have driven the legislative process. Attorney General Becerra, thank you for your tireless service and commitment to our country as you have certainly become one of the most influential leaders of our time.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. ``No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.''

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 573.

Mr. CARDENAS

Mr. CARDENAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Children's Hunger Fund on the celebration of their 25th anniversary. I am proud of what this organization has accomplished over their long tenure of service to our community. Children's Hunger Fund was established in 1991 by president and founder Dave Phillips. Since then, CHF has delivered food and, ultimately, hope to children and families in need in the U.S. and around the world for 25 years. Children's Hunger Fund located in Sylmar, is in my district in the San Fernando Valley, the neighborhood right next door to Pacoima, where I grew up. After the Northridge earthquake struck in 1994, Children's Hunger Fund was instrumental in making sure Valley families had blankets and food. The help provided by Children's Hunger Fund is felt at home and also around the world. In 1998, CHF sent aid to Chernobyl children and boots and blankets to boys in Siberian prisons. CHF helped victims and families after the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, and after the 2004 tsunami. The vision started in the San Fernando Valley has been replicated all around the country. In just 25 years, CHF has built a global network of aid, while never forgetting the need in our local communities. While I regret not being able to attend in person, I am honored to congratulate Children's Hunger Fund on their 25th Anniversary Celebration this Saturday, September 24, 2016. I hope they will continue their record of delivering food and hope to children and families in the San Fernando Valley and across the world.