Diana DeGette

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment and associate myself with the very powerful statement made by my colleague from Virginia, it is just part of a very extreme agenda that is threatening to hijack the Nation's annual defense bill, which usually passes in a bipartisan way. One of the core things they are trying to do through the NDAA, make no mistake, is to further their agenda to ban abortion on a nationwide basis, and I am here to sound the clarion call. They are going to be trying this week after week through the next few months. The Jackson amendment, amendment No. 5, which we will be voting on in a few minutes, is a direct threat to the health and well-being of our servicemembers and their loved ones. If that amendment were to pass, it would put abortion access even further out of reach for our servicemembers, in particular, for the over 2 million people who are stationed in States where they have little to no access to abortion. Even more appalling, this amendment would force a servicemember who was raped by one of her own colleagues or superiors to travel at their own expense to terminate a resulting pregnancy. Our servicemembers fight for our country every day. As lawmakers, we should be prepared to fight to protect their freedoms, not voting to take their freedoms away. Mr. Chair, I urge objection to this amendment, the Jackson No. 5 amendment, and all of these extreme amendments which are taking us away from the critical functions we should be providing.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Chu), the author of the Women's Health Protection Act.

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, Saturday marks 1 year since the U.S. Supreme Court announced its now infamous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, and for the first time in our Nation's history, it took away one of America's most fundamental rights: the right to privacy. In overturning Roe v. Wade and taking away Americans' right to abortion care, the U.S. Supreme Court has rolled back the clock on women's rights in this country and put the health and lives of millions of women at risk. Everybody in this country deserves the freedom to make their own healthcare choices. Nobody should have to experience the pain and trauma that countless women in this country have now suffered as a result of the GOP's efforts to criminalize abortion care in this country. While poll after poll shows that an overwhelming majority of the American public supports women's rights to abortion care, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle remain intent on outlawing it once and for all. We may not have the majority in this Chamber just now, but there is no doubt that we have the majority of Americans on our side in this fight. If my colleagues on the other side of the aisle aren't willing to stand up for the people they represent, then we must. Today, Representatives Lee and Chu and I announce that we have filed a discharge petition to bring the Women's Health Protection Act up for a vote so that we can restore Americans' fundamental rights to abortion care. This is legislation that was passed by the Chamber not once but twice last year. There is no reason why any Member who doesn't have their head in the sand shouldn't be ready to support it a third time. Now is the time to end the devastation that too many Americans have already experienced. Now is the time to let the American public know exactly where every Member of this Chamber stands. I urge my colleagues to sign this petition that is now at the desk. Madam Speaker, 218 of us is all it takes to bring this bill to the floor and take us one step closer to ending this nightmare. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleagues, Congressman Doug Lamborn, Congressman Ken Buck, Congressman Joe Neguse, Congressman Jason Crow, Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen and Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, to congratulate the Denver Nuggets on their first-ever NBA championship. After an impressive 53 wins in the regular season and a historic run through this year's NBA playoffs, the Nuggets--led by five-time NBA All Star Nikola Jokic--defeated the Miami Heat on Monday night in Denver to clinch the team's first-ever NBA championship. It's a moment that Nuggets fans, including myself, have been dreaming about since the franchise started in 1967, and I couldn't be more proud of everyone associated with this historic team on achieving what many thought was impossible. For more than 56 seasons, Nuggets fans have been cheering our team to victory. While we've had no shortage of talent and victories over the years, this is the first time that Denver can now officially call itself home to the NBA champs. After a spectacular regular season, the Nuggets were able to clinch the top seed in the NBA's Western Conference for the first time in franchise history. The team then went on an incredible run, beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs 4 games to 1; eliminating the Phoenix Suns in the second round 4 games to 2; and then sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers 4 games to none to win its first-ever Western Conference championship. It was the first time the Nuggets had ever beaten the Lakers in a playoff series, the first time they had ever swept another team in the playoffs, the first time they'd ever won the Western Conference Championship, and the first time they'd ever have a chance at hoisting the coveted Larry O'Brien trophy in the Mile High City. Led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, that's exactly what the Nuggets did this week. After a hard-fought series against the Miami Heat, the Nuggets clinched the franchise's first-ever championship trophy on Monday. It was a fitting finale to a historic championship run. Just days earlier, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray made history of their own in Game 3 when the pair became the first NBA teammates ever to record 30- point triple-doubles in the same game during an NBA Finals. They were also the first pair of teammates to ever record a combined 300 assists during the playoffs, and the first pair to score a combined 1,000 points in a single postseason. Nikola Jokic, who was named MVP of the final series, recorded more triple-doubles in this year's postseason than any other player in NBA history. He's the first player to lead the league in all three major statistical categories during the playoffs: points, rebounds and assists; the first center, since Shaquille O'Neal, to lead his team in scoring while winning a championship; and only the second player in NBA history to average more than 30 points and 8 assists while winning an NBA title, a feat that, before now, had been accomplished by only one other player in NBA history--and that was Michael Jordan. Like so many Denverites, I couldn't be more proud of what our Nuggets have accomplished this year--and how, under the leadership of their visionary coach Mike Malone, they were able to put teamwork over personal gain to bring one of the Nation's most coveted prizes to the Mile High City. As Coach Malone said right after Monday night's historic victory, ``I got news for everybody out there. We're not satisfied with one, we want more!'' We couldn't agree more--and we can't wait to see what this incredible team does next.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, due to a long-standing family commitment, I was unable to be recorded for votes today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 208, ``nay`` on rollcall No. 209, ``yea'' on rollcall No. 210, ``nay'' on rollcall No. 211 and ``yea'' on rollcall No. 212.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an institution that has shaped countless lives in my community, Denver's South High School. First established before the turn of the century, this renowned institution has been educating students living in the south side of Denver for more than 130 years, including two generations of my family. South's traditions date back to the city's earliest days, and its storied history has recently earned it a coveted spot on the National Register of Historic Places. What started as a two-room schoolhouse now enrolls more than 1,700 students a year, each and every one of them helping to shape the school's rich history and continuing to build upon its tremendous legacy of success. As a proud second-generation alumna of South High School, I can tell you that what makes it so special is not just the ornate brick and mortar building you see from the outside, or the gargoyle that stands watch over its entrance, it's the people. It's the faculty and staff who have dedicated their lives to giving every student who walks through the door an opportunity to be the very best version of themselves. It's the students who are driven not only to achieve their own success, but to help their classmates and peers succeed as well. Some of my fondest memories are from my time at South High School-- including as the captain of the debate team, where I found my passion for the law and developed a drive that led me down the path to serve my community as a member of this distinguished body. Alumni of South High School have gone on to achieve amazing success-- from Olympians to professional athletes, from actors to filmmakers, from world-renowned scientists to Nobel laureates. That type of remarkable success doesn't come by accident, or by chance. It's the product of tireless dedication by countless people who have made South High School what it is today. The friendships I formed at South remain strong to this day. And I frequently make new South alumni friends from all walks of life who are making a difference in our community. So, I want to congratulate everyone at Denver's South High School for their continued success and becoming one of the newest additions to the Nation's prestigious National Register of Historic Places. Go Ravens.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 1. This bill puts the needs of the oil industry over the health and well-being of the American people. Instead of protecting the communities we are here to represent, the bill will cause real harm to people's health and further degrade our environment. While my colleagues on the other side of the aisle claim the bill will help lower Americans' energy costs and make us energy independent, in fact, the bill does just the opposite. Here is why. By opening LNG exports and doubling down on fossil fuels, this legislation will further increase our reliance on the global oil and gas markets. It will further subject us to the volatility of the global marketplace. Frankly, it will do nothing to increase our security here at home because we simply can't drill our way toward lower energy costs. The only way to bring energy costs down here in America, and to make our Nation truly energy independent, is to expedite the transition to more renewable forms of energy. In addition, any claim that this legislation does not touch some part of our Nation's most important environmental laws is just untrue. The bill decimates the laws that were put in place to protect our air, water, and, most of all, our health. It repeals key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, provisions that actually bring down the costs for Americans and reduce emissions. So now, instead of working with us to find real bipartisan solutions to the crises we face, the majority severely limited amendments to this bill in violation of the promises they made at the beginning. I offered some commonsense amendments to the legislation that, unfortunately, were not made in order. One would have restricted the use of eminent domain for natural gas pipelines to ensure communities have a voice in our energy decisions. The other would have required a simple analysis to eliminate methane emissions from projects under NEPA review. However, we don't have the ability to have those conversations because the majority doesn't want to hear it. I want to say what I said in the committee markup: Mr. Chair, once my colleagues on the other side of the aisle get this out of their system, I stand willing, ready, and able to work on a bipartisan solution that will both help increase our energy security in the United States and will make us independent from a volatile foreign oil market.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, Colorado mourned one of its finest public servants this week when we lost former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder. Pat was a pioneer for women's rights, and she was the first woman ever elected to represent the State of Colorado in the U.S. House. For 24 years, she fought tirelessly in this Chamber to expand the rights of women, families, and children across this country. She cofounded the Congressional Women's Caucus, and she was the first woman ever selected to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. She championed legislation to protect pregnant workers and women in the military, and she was the driving force behind the Family and Medical Leave Act. What made Pat so unique, though, wasn't just the brilliance that she had or her passion for public service. It was her razor-sharp wit. Pat could trade barbs with anybody at a moment's notice on any subject. She could disarm her most harsh critics with humor and grace, and she had an unrivaled ability to light up almost any room she walked into. We can all agree there will never be another Pat Schroeder. I am grateful for the time I got to spend with her and for the friendship and mentorship she provided to me over the years. This is something that doesn't happen very often: Pat was elected to Congress when I was in high school; I never voted for anybody for Congress except for Pat Schroeder and myself. She is a giant whose shoulders we all stand on today, and she will be missed by everybody here, by everybody in the First Congressional District of Colorado, and by millions of people whose lives have been made better because of the legacy of Pat Schroeder. Madam Speaker, I thank you for helping me honor the memory of Pat Schroeder by observing a moment of silence.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jon Asher. As the Executive Director of Colorado's Legal Services, Jon has dedicated his life to helping others and ensuring that Colorado's legal system is accessible to all those who need it, regardless of their ability to pay. I have known and admired Jon for over 40 years. The Colorado legal community will agree that he's not just one of Colorado's greatest legal minds, he's also one of the most selfless. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1971, Jon moved to Greeley, Colorado where he began his legal career as a staff attorney with Colorado Rural Legal Services. Little did Jon know that this was the start of a long career of service. His talent and intellect were evident to all those who worked with him. and Jon quickly rose through the ranks to become head of the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Denver in 1980--a position he would hold for the next 18 years. When Colorado's three legal aid societies decided to come together to form one statewide legal aid program in 1999, Jon was the easy choice to run it; and it was then that he became the first Executive Director of the newly formed Colorado Legal Services--a position he has held ever since. Under Jon's leadership, Colorado Legal Services has become one of the Nation's premier legal aid organizations--with a staff of more than 80 attorneys and 55 paralegals in 13 regional offices across Colorado. Jon's reputation as a tireless and effective advocate for low-income and disadvantaged individuals in our state is seen in the quality of the work that Colorado Legal Services has clone and continues to do to this clay. Throughout his career, Jon has been recognized. both in Colorado and throughout the Nation, for his talent and dedication to providing those who otherwise couldn't afford it with the quality legal representation they deserve. While his professional achievements are far too many to count, those who know Jon will agree that it's not the awards or recognition that drove him throughout his career--it's the thousands of people he's been able to help along the way. After more than 50 years of dedicating himself to providing top-notch legal assistance to seniors and low-income individuals across our state, Jon announced recently that he plans to retire as the head ofColorados Legal Services this summer. While there's no doubt that he will certainly be leaving behind some big shoes to fill. the organization he's helped to build from the ground up has never been stronger, and its ongoing success is all but guaranteed thanks to the tireless work that Jon and his colleagues have put into it over the years. On behalf of the people of Colorado's First Congressional District, I want to express my profound thanks to Jon for all he's done for our state over the years--and his tireless efforts to help so many people along the way. And I want to wish him the very best during his much- deserved retirement.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is focused on the development of the plan in the underlying bill, and therefore, it is germane. We actually narrowed this amendment so we didn't get into actual implementation.

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk, No. 89.

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chair, this amendment requires oil and gas companies operating on our public lands to make one simple pledge to the American people, that it won't gouge consumers at the pump. It requires the Secretary of Energy to secure that commitment before any new permit to increase production on our lands will be approved. It would help prevent some of the damage that this disastrous bill would do to our Nation's ability to address skyrocketing energy prices in the country. Frankly, the bill before us is nothing more than a shameless attempt by my Republican colleagues to help increase drilling. If this bill were titled correctly, it would be known as the big win for Big Oil act, and it would come at a huge price for the American people. As the chair of the Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee in the last Congress, I have been on the front lines to bring down gas prices in this country. I held a hearing last year with the top executives from six of the Nation's largest oil producers to have them explain why Americans were suddenly being asked to pay record-high prices at the pump and why Americans should be forced to provide their companies billions of dollars in subsidies each year when they were reporting record-high profits and hardworking families were struggling hard to fill up their cars. Despite what the supporters of this bill will tell you, not one executive at that hearing claimed that opening up Federal land for drilling would lower prices at the pump. In fact, one executive at that hearing even admitted that opening up more land to drilling in the country would do nothing to bring the cost of gasoline down. Why? Because there is nothing--and I repeat, nothing--preventing the oil industry from expanding its production tomorrow if they wanted to. They just choose not to because of profits. The oil industry currently leases 26.6 million acres of Federal lands. Less than half of that land under current lease, 12.7 acres, is currently being used for production, so there is no relationship between opening up more Federal lands for the production of oil and gas and the price that Americans pay at the pump. None. Instead of helping to bring down prices for consumers, what this bill does is it really makes it harder for future administrations to respond. It takes away the one tool that has been used effectively to help alleviate the pain consumers were suddenly feeling this past summer and the one tool we have to prevent it from happening again. It prevents the President from releasing our Nation's oil reserves on to the market during a crisis. It prevents the administration from taking the steps necessary to curb excessive price increases that can cause real harm to people, family, and businesses across this country. If Republicans were serious about helping consumers, let's do it, but let's do it explicitly. Let's include in this bill a provision that will expressly prohibit these companies from gouging consumers at the pump. My amendment requires the Secretary of Energy to secure from any oil company looking to increase production on Federal lands a commitment that it will not excessively increase its prices during periods of future disruption. It gives the oil companies what the Republicans say the industry wants, which is the ability to increase production on the public lands. So all we ask for--all we ask for--Mr. Chairman, is a simple commitment that they won't gouge consumers at the pump. Sounds like a win-win to me. I would urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment to the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time. Point of Order

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Stephen Berman. Dr. Berman dedicated his life to improving the health and well-being of people around the world. After earning his medical degree from Temple University, Steve moved to Colorado to complete his residency at the University of Colorado. Little did anyone know that this first-year resident, fresh out of medical school, would go on to be one of the university's most influential professors, the Director of the Center for Global Health and a world-renowned leader in the field of public health. Dr. Berman was one of the most highly regarded members of his profession. He received numerous awards and recognitions for his work. He wrote multiple textbooks and authored hundreds of peer-reviewed research articles over the course of his career. He was the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a special advisor to the World Health Organization, to the U.S. Agency for International Development, and to numerous countries around the world. But what made Steve truly special is how much he cared for his patients, and how dedicated he was to both serving his community and giving back. He was determined--with a tireless devotion and every ounce of his being--to make the world a better place, not just for the patients he was treating, or the officials he was advising, but for everyone, everywhere. Steve made a point to form friendships and professional relationships with elected officials across the political spectrum and at every level of government with a singular goal: to make sure that our health care laws ensure access to treatment for every child, no matter their race, economic status or country of origin. Like so many in our community, I was heartbroken to hear of Steve's passing this week. Our community lost a true leader and many of us lost a dear friend. His legacy will continue to live on, not only with the thousands of people he treated throughout his life, but with the untold millions he impacted with his work along the way. During this difficult time, my heart goes out to his family--his wife Elaine, who was his true partner in all he accomplished, his sons Ben and Jim, and his brothers Jim and Ed. He will be missed.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John Parvensky. John has dedicated his life to helping others and, after 37 years as the head of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, there is no doubt that John has done exactly that. John first moved to Denver in 1984 after graduating law school to begin a career helping nonprofit organizations. It didn't take long, though, for John to realize he had another calling in life. And just 1 year after his arrival in the Mile High City, John set out on a mission to provide real help to those experiencing homelessness throughout the city. He arrived at the perfect time. It was at just that moment that then- Denver Mayor Federico Pena was putting together a task force to tackle homelessness. Out of that task force came the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. What John thought would be a temporary assignment has turned into a lifelong passion, and the coalition he started has become a permanent fixture in the state. Thanks to John's tireless work, Colorado's Coalition for the Homeless has grown from a group of 6 people to an organization that now employs more than 750 people across the state. Its budget has grown from $100,000 to more than $10 million a year. And, with John at the helm, the organization that started as a single health care center now serves over 22,000 people every year. John's leadership and advocacy on behalf of those experiencing homelessness, both in Denver and across the U.S., has led to the development of countless new ideas and innovative strategies that are now being used in cities and towns across the country to help those in need. John was instrumental in creating the Denver Housing First Collaborative that provides housing and supportive services to more than 200 people with disabilities experiencing homelessness. And he was the driving force behind the development of Denver's new state-of-the- art Stout Street Recuperative Care Center--a first-of-its kind mixed- use development intended to provide medical respite and recuperative care to hundreds of people experiencing homelessness every year after they are released from the hospital. John's efforts have been widely recognized throughout his career. He currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors for the National Coalition for the Homeless; and he has been the recipient of numerous awards to highlight his many achievements in his quest to help others--including the 2018 Philip W. Brickner National Leadership Award from the National Healthcare for the Homeless; the 2016 Carle Whitehead Memorial Award from ACLU of Colorado; and the 2012 Be More Award from Rocky Mountain PBS. After more than 35 years as the head of Colorado's Coalition for the Homeless, John announced that this summer will be his last running the organization. As he prepares to begin the next chapter of his life, I want to express my profound thanks to him for his tireless advocacy on behalf of those experiencing homelessness and the outstanding work he's done over the years to improve the lives of so many people who call our city home. I offer my best wishes on his well-deserved retirement.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. DeGETTE. What it does is it hopes to deter doctors from providing abortion care in the first place, which is exactly what we saw after the Dobbs decision. This is not what the American people signed up for. I strongly urge my colleagues to reject these extreme measures and instead support my motion to recommit to take up and pass the Women's Health Protection Act to ensure that everybody in this country, no matter where they live, has the access to the reproductive care they need. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to add the text of this amendment into the Record immediately prior to the vote on the motion to recommit.

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 26 and urge my colleagues to instead support my motion to recommit to take up and pass Representative Judy Chu's Women's Health Protection Act that will restore the protections that we had under Roe v. Wade. If there is one thing this last election showed us it is that the American people believe strongly that every woman in this country should have the ability to make her own healthcare decisions, including abortion. Sadly, however, if there is one thing this past week has shown us, it is that the House Republicans just don't care at all about that. They don't care that 61 percent of the American people strongly support a woman's access to abortion care. They don't care that just 2 months ago a record number of Americans showed up at polling locations across the country to overwhelmingly reject the GOP's plan to criminalize abortion care. They don't care that in every State where abortion restrictions were on the ballot they were rejected overwhelmingly--in places like Kansas. They don't care that Americans think that people, not politicians, should be making these decisions. Apparently, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle think they know how abortion decisions should be made, not a woman and her doctor. So instead of taking heed of the will of the American people, my Republican colleagues are intending to do just the opposite. The legislation before us today is part of a concerted effort to fast-track this extreme agenda of anti-choice legislation. It creates new criminal penalties for healthcare providers that fail to provide specific standards of care--that the politicians on the other side of the aisle will enact--after an attempted abortion. It doesn't really protect newborn children in any way. Why? Because if a child is born it is already illegal to kill it--as it should be. Unlike what the majority leader said, it is already illegal in every single State in this country. It is illegal to kill people in this country. Just in case anybody was confused about this, as Chairman Nadler said, in 2002 Congress passed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, and all of us, including me, the co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus voted for it because clearly if the baby is born, we shouldn't kill it. Duh. So what does this bill do? What it does, as I said, it creates criminal penalties for healthcare providers that don't do what the Republicans think they should do, and it creates new, complicated standards that will make it harder for healthcare professionals to do their jobs.

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, the resolved part of our resolution says this, and I think all of my colleagues should be able to join this. Resolved, that the U.S. House of Representatives condemns all acts of political violence; 2, condemns attacks on healthcare facilities, healthcare personnel, and patients; and 3, affirms that all people have the freedom to access reproductive healthcare services and medical advice without fear of violence, intimidation, or harassment. Isn't that what this is all about in this country, fear from violence? No violence, everybody gets the healthcare services they want and they deserve without fear of being killed.

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, if my Republican colleagues want to condemn the growing level of political violence in this country, let's do it together. That is not what this resolution does. What it does is it goes to great lengths to condemn attacks against anti-choice groups, and it says nothing about the growing threat of violence targeting women's health clinics across the United States. It doesn't condemn the numerous bullets that have been fired at healthcare clinics throughout the country. It doesn't condemn the bricks that have crashed through windows at providers' offices or the assaults, kidnappings, and even the murders of doctors and healthcare personnel. It doesn't condemn the arsons, bombings, death threats, or any one of the more than 7,000 acts of violence that have been reported against these facilities. By ignoring these acts of violence, Republicans are sending a very dangerous message that will only embolden the extremists behind them. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a resolution that Congresswomen Lee and Pressley and I have introduced to condemn all acts of political violence, regardless of their target or intent, and I urge my colleagues to support it instead. Whereas workplace violence ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and homicide; Whereas, for decades, health care personnel for women and people who access reproductive health care services have been subjected to intimidation, threats, and violence; Whereas between 1977 and 2015-- (1) nearly 7,000 violent acts were reported against providers at health centers for women, including bombings, arsons, death threats, kidnappings, and assaults; and (2) more than 190,000 acts of disruption, including bomb threats and harassing calls, were reported; Whereas, between 1993 and 2015, there were 11 murders, numerous attempted murders, 42 bombings, and 186 arsons targeted at individuals and facilities associated with care provided at health centers for women; Whereas between 1993 and 2015, the 11 victims of anti- choice violence include Dr. David Gunn of Pensacola, Florida, in 1993; Dr. John Bayard Britton and a volunteer, James Barrett, both of Pensacola, Florida, in 1994; clinic receptionists Shannon Lowney and Leanne Nichols, both of Brookline, Massachusetts, in 1994; Dr. Barnett Slepian of Buffalo, New York, in 1998; clinic securitv guard Robert Sanderson of Birmingham, Alabama, in 1998; Dr. George Tiller of Wichita, Kansas, in 2009; and police officer Garrett Swasey, Ke'Arre Stewart, and Jennifer Markovsky, all of whom were lost during a violent attack at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2015; Whereas, in 2016, two defendants vandalized a Baltimore, Maryland, area abortion clinic on two separate occasions, with one defendant pleading guilty and the other convicted at trial of Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act violations; Whereas, in 2017, a defendant sent several threatening emails to abortion clinics located in Chicago, Illinois, and Hammond, Indiana, and the defendant pled guilty to FACE Act and other Federal offenses; Whereas, in 2018, a defendant directed a threatening social media post to Planned Parenthood facilities and staff and defendant pled guilty to Federal offenses, including a FACE Act charge; Whereas, in 2019, a defendant was indicted for FACE Act violations and other Federal offenses related to a 2015 shooting at a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he shot at several civilians and police officers, killing two civilians and one officer, while injuring several others; Whereas, in 2020, a defendant pled guiltv to FACE Act related offenses in connection with a bomb threat call the defendant made to a Jacksonville, Florida, abortion clinic; Whereas, in 2021, a defendant pled guilty to a FACE Act violation and other State felony offenses for throwing a Molotov cocktail at a Fort Myers, Florida, abortion clinic; Whereas, in 2022, a defendant was indicted for FACE Act violations after he assaulted a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area Planned Parenthood clinic escort twice on the same date, with one assault resulting in bodily injury; and Whereas extreme rhetoric continues to fuel a hate-filled climate that is dangerous for individuals who provide or access comprehensive health care services: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) condemns all acts of political violence; (2) condemns attacks on health care facilities, health care personnel, and patients; (3) affirms that all people have the freedom to access reproductive health care services and medical advice without fear of violence, intimidation, or harassment; and (4) calls upon the Biden administration to use all appropriate authorities to uphold public safety, to protect health care facilities, and safeguard health care personnel and patients.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, if there was any overriding issue of clarity in the last election it was that Americans feel strongly that they should have the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions, not politicians. Apparently, House Republicans weren't listening because just 2 months after a record number of Americans voted to vehemently oppose the GOP's efforts to criminalize abortion care in this country, we have today a set of rules that will make their extreme agenda a reality. These rules will pave the way for the immediate passage of not one, not two, but three bills that will limit women's rights to reproductive care. Mr. Speaker, 25 percent of their initial agenda is anti-choice. This is not what the American people want. Sixty-one percent of this country strongly support a women's right to abortion care. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to stand up to this extremism and stand up for the people who we were elected to serve. Vote ``no'' on the previous question to bring up the Women's Health Protection Act and vote ``no'' on the rule. Let's listen to our constituents.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleagues, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, Congressman Jason Crow, Congressman Joe Neguse, and Congressman David Cicilline, to honor the victims of the tragic shooting that took place at the Club Q Nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado on November 19, 2022. It has been nearly 1 month since the horrific events that unfolded when a shooter, armed with a semiautomatic assault weapon and high- capacity magazine, entered the popular LGBTQ+ nightclub and opened fire, killing 5 people and injuring at least 22 more. It was the latest in a growing number of violent attacks targeting the LGBTQ+ community throughout the country, and it led the Department of Homeland Security to issue a new warning about the growing threat facing the LGBTQ+ community here in the U.S. Let us be clear: no one in this country should have to live in constant fear of being attacked for who they are or who they love. No one should have to experience the unimaginable pain and suffering that so many in our community are now feeling in the wake of this senseless attack at Club Q. Among those killed in the attack was Ashley Paugh, a 35 year old wife and mother of an 11 year old daughter. Ashley was not a member of the LGBTQ+ community but had driven to Colorado Springs to spend time with friends at the popular club and see a comedian who was performing there. Raymond Vance was 22 years old and was visiting the club for the first time that evening with his longtime girlfriend and her family. Raymond, who had just gotten his first job and was excited to have received his first paycheck, was there to help his girlfriend and her family celebrate the birthday of a longtime friend. Kelly Loving was a 40 year old transgender woman from Denver who had driven to Colorado Springs for the weekend. Daniel Aston and Derrick Rump were both bartenders working at the club when the shooting occurred. Daniel, a 28 year old transgender man, had moved to Colorado Springs 2 years earlier to be closer to his mom and dad and started working at the club, which was just a few minutes from his parents' home. Derrick, who friends say was always full of smiles, found more than just a job at Club Q, he had found a community that he loved and a place where he felt he truly belonged. Daniel and Derrick were beloved members of the Club Q family, and together they helped create a space that felt safe for so many who visited there. As we take time to honor the memory of those we lost, we also must honor the bravery and heroism of those whose actions likely prevented even more bloodshed that day. Retired U.S. Army veteran, Richard Fierro, who was at the club with his family that evening to celebrate the birthday of a friend, and Thomas James, who was performing at the club when the shooting began, have been widely credited for their heroic actions to subdue the shooter and save countless lives. We owe them and all those who responded to the scene that evening, including local law enforcement, first responders, and civilians, a tremendous debt of gratitude. We wish all those who were injured in this attack a speedy recovery. And we send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who were lost in this horrific attack. The hate-filled rhetoric that's fueling this rise in violent attacks against the LGBTQ+ community has no place in our society, and neither should the weapons of war being used to carry these awful attacks out. At some point, we, as a society, have to come together and say, `enough is enough.' At some point, we have to realize that the toxic combination of hate and access to guns is resulting in deadly attacks across this country, and the time to end the hate-filled rhetoric that's demonizing the LGBTQ+ community is now. Every single member of the LGBTQ+ community deserves to live their life openly without fear of hate and violence. And every person in this country deserves to live a life free of the constant threat of gun violence that we face. That's why, today, my colleagues and I are introducing a resolution condemning this attack and the growing wave of violence. I'm thankful to the House Equality Caucus, the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and a number of organizations that helped us draft this resolution and who are joining us in pushing for its passage. But, condemning these attacks is not enough. The time to act is now. We need to get these assault weapons off our streets and ban the sale of these high-capacity magazines today. Taking these steps will not bring back all those we have lost to gun violence, but it will save others from meeting the same violent fate. This is our resolve as we continue to fight for commonsense gun safety measures. We send our heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of those we lost at Club Q. They will not be forgotten.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, at the hearing I had on this issue in my subcommittee the other day, Dr. Resneck, the president of the AMA, said he doesn't want to have, when he is in clinic with a patient, a State Attorney General sitting on his shoulder. I know how he feels because many of my colleagues on the other side not only want to stop a patient's ability and decision to have an abortion, they apparently want to tell people now what kinds of birth control they can use. Today I have heard my colleagues on the other side say falsely that IUDs, that chemical birth control, that other forms of birth control are ``abortifacients.'' Not only is this patently untrue, but it harms millions of Americans. I would say that I think everybody listening to this debate is probably confused. My colleagues say, oh, we support birth control. But make no mistake about it, there have been bills in a number of States, and there have been bills in this body to ban common forms of birth control--not abortion, birth control--and that has got to stop. My colleagues across the aisle, they think that the rhythm method or condoms or something like that are okay, but the things women use to stop getting pregnant can't be used, and I think that is important to point out. I think every woman in America needs to know this, and, frankly, every patient in America should be able to make their open decision about their healthcare for abortion and birth control.

Ms. DeGETTE

Ms. DeGETTE. Madam Speaker, the horror of a 10-year-old girl, the victim of rape, re-victimized when her parents were forced to take her out of State because of Ohio's abortion law. A woman who was having a miscarriage, whose doctor refused to give her the medical procedure she needed because of fear of being prosecuted. A woman trying to get long-acting birth control, whose pharmacist refused to prescribe the necessary medication for the procedure. The chaos in the wake of the terrible Dobbs decision is only going to get worse from here. The Supreme Court and the Republican Party have declared a war on Americans' healthcare rights. Every single American has the right and the freedom to make the healthcare decisions that they need, including abortion. We passed this bill last September. We passed it in September after the first decision in the Supreme Court. We are going to pass this bill today in the U.S. House of Representatives. We are going to pass this bill, which codifies Roe v. Wade, every time we need to, to protect Americans' rights to healthcare and to protect everybody's equality.