Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I am not opposed.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am delighted and relieved to be finally closing out fiscal year 2024, and for that, I thank Chairwoman Kay Granger, Chair Patty Murray, and Vice Chair Susan Collins. I am proud to have made history with such experienced appropriators. Madam Speaker, 2024 marks the first time negotiations on government funding have been led on all four corners by women. I have many others to thank--subcommittee ranking members and chairs and staff on both sides of the aisle--and I will be submitting these names for the record. I strongly support the bipartisan bill, which funds the majority of the United States Government. This bill sides with the hardworking majority of Americans. It helps to lower the cost of living, protects women's rights and access to reproductive healthcare, reinforces America's global leadership, and helps our communities be safe and secure. I am pleased that Democrats and Republicans again united to make government work for the people of this country. Like the funding bill we passed earlier this month, this legislation does not have everything either side may have wanted, but I am satisfied that many of the extreme cuts and the policies proposed by House Republicans were rejected. I am enormously proud that we are providing an increase of $1 billion for childcare and Head Start, expanding access to quality and affordable childcare for hardworking families. We increased title I education funding, protecting 224,000 teachers' jobs that House Republicans tried to eliminate. I am also pleased that we successfully defeated every one of the Republicans' extreme policy riders in the Labor-HHS bill. In this package, we prioritize the men and women in our armed services and their families by securing pay and allowance increases of over 5 percent, the highest increase in decades. We invest in global health and support 12,000 special immigrant visas for Afghans who assisted the United States. Critically, we strengthened our border security. I urge swift passage of this package, and I look forward to moving on to how we can best serve the American people in fiscal year 2025. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), the distinguished Democratic leader.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the distinguished ranking member of the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), the distinguished ranking member of the Defense Subcommittee.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar), the distinguished ranking member of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, I yield an additional 15 seconds to the gentleman from Texas.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I want to give my thanks and appreciation to my Democratic colleagues on the committee, especially subcommittee Ranking Members Sanford Bishop, Matt Cartwright, Betty McCollum, Marcy Kaptur, Steny Hoyer, Henry Cuellar, Chellie Pingree, Adriano Espaillat, Debbie Wassermann Schultz, Barbara Lee, and Mike Quigley, for fighting hard for the American people and for Democratic priorities in each of your bills. In the majority, my thanks and congratulations to subcommittee chairs Andy Harris, Harold Rogers, Ken Calvert, Chuck Fleischmann, Steve Womack, David Joyce, Mike Simpson, Robert Aderholt, Mark Amodei, John Carter, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Tom Cole. I thank you all for engaging in these hard-fought negotiations with respect and patriotism. My deep appreciation goes to the majority and minority staff, especially Minority Staff Director Chris Bigelow, Minority Clerks Martha Foley, Bob Bonner, Jennifer Chartrand, Scott McKee, Matt Smith, Bob Joachim, Rita Culp, Stephen Steigleider, Faye Cobb, Jenny Neuscheler, Erin Kolodjeski, and Christina Monroe. I also want to thank my front office staff, Jason Gray, Raquel Spencer, Adam Wilson, Ryann Kinney, Alex Swann, Tom Tucker, as well as my communications staff Katelynn Thorpe and Ben Cowlishaw. This would not be possible without the hard work of Tyler Coe, Nora Faye, Jocelyn Hunn, Jackie Kilroy, Shannon McCully, Laurie Mignone, Farouk Ophaso, Stephanie Reed, Philip Tizzani, and Thomas Wilson. Their hard work, long hours, and dedication behind the scenes is what makes this possible. And I also owe a great deal of gratitude to my personal office staff, including Becky Salay, Jack Rayburn, King Green, Caitlin Peruccio, Daniel Robillard, Harper White, John Myron, Sam Erickson, Diana Solares, Mia Villiavicencio-Eschinger, and Clay Vaughan. Everyone I have just named keeps my name on the door. I thank them all. Ms. LEE of California, as Ranking Member of the House State and Foreign Operations subcommittee, I am sorely disappointed with this outcome. I have spent much of my time in Congress talking about the 3Ds of our national security--diplomacy, development and defense. Each of these has a role to play in keeping our country safe and secure, and creating a world where kids and grandkids can prosper. The SFOPS bill is supposed to fund two of those Ds--diplomacy and development. But this package slashes diplomacy and development by 6 percent than 15 percent below what the President identified as the global need. Meanwhile, the Pentagon gets a $27 billion increase--despite failing audits. America needs the diplomatic and development tools in the SFOPS bill to prevent wars. I fear this package leaves America weaker and more vulnerable. This funding imbalance undermines both our values and our interests. I hope we can work together to get our priorities rebalanced.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, 11,388 Members have served historically in the United States House of Representatives. We are blessed, and what we are charged with is serving the American people. That is our job. It is not serving our individual philosophies, ideologies, or whatever it is that we believe. We need to govern on behalf of the American people. I am proud to have been working with Democrats and Republicans united to make government work for the people of this country. It is a bipartisan bill, it sides with the hardworking majority of Americans, it helps to lower their cost of living, it protects women's rights, it reinforces America's global leadership, and, yes, it helps our communities be safe and secure. What we do is not about those of us who serve in this Chamber. It is about what we do on behalf of the people of this country outside of this Chamber. This bill serves the American people, and it has Democrat and Republican support to move forward. We are 6 months into this 2024 year. We have been unable to do the work of the people because some people will hold us back. Again, it is our job. The reason why we are elected is to serve the American people. That is what we are charged with. Let us never forget that we are blessed to serve here. We have a duty to perform and to do what is right. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. It makes sense for us to do it, and we do it because we represent hardworking families in this country who put their faith and trust in us to do this job on their behalf. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I am not opposed.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation, which provides funding for domestic programs that curb the rising cost of living, create higher-paying jobs, confront the climate crisis, honor our commitments to America's veterans, and protect women's rights. In a divided country, I am pleased that Democrats and Republicans in the House and in the Senate united and produced this legislation to make government work for the people. Democrats are doing what we always do: put people over politics, follow the law, and reach a bipartisan compromise to grow the middle class and to deliver for the American people. This bill includes a billion dollars to fully fund the Women, Infants, and Children program. It prevents 5 million people from losing their housing. It increases our investments in our infrastructure and creates jobs. It restores funding for rail and transit systems. These funding bills, the product of bipartisan negotiations, help keep our communities safe and healthy. We are keeping government open, protecting the people in need, and moving our country forward. This legislation does not have everything either side may have wanted, but I am pleased that many of the extreme cuts in policies proposed by House Republicans were excluded. House Democrats rejected outright their archaic restriction on women's reproductive healthcare. I am proud that this bill protects the progress we previously made to reverse underinvestment in domestic programs that empower and protect middle-class families. To help Americans contending with an elevated cost of living, this bill fights inflation and fully supports key lifelines such as food assistance, ensuring people in this great country of ours do not go hungry. Mr. Speaker, I urge swift passage of this package, and I look forward to finalizing and passing the remaining 2024 funding bills in due time.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, no.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this continuing resolution, which will provide us with the short time that is needed to fully conclude the 2024 appropriations process. The continuing resolution keeps the government open while the Appropriations Committees in the House and the Senate finalize the 2024 funding bills that are in line with the agreement that has been the law since last June, reaffirmed in the top lines agreed to by Leader Schumer and Speaker Johnson earlier this year. While, at the time of passing our last continuing resolution, I had hoped that we would not need this measure, now we owe it to the American people to do our due diligence in reaching the end of this process. I appreciate the respectful bipartisan cooperation that took place to put forward this continuing resolution and move us closer to the finish line. There is now a shared understanding that the ultimate conclusion to the saga of 2024 funding will be in the appropriations bills that earned the support of Democrats and Republicans in the House and the Senate, bills that will likely need to pass under suspension of the rules, like the bill we are considering today. In addition to passing the 12 appropriations bills, Congress still must respond to President Biden's request for our urgent national security needs. There is no time to waste. We must quickly provide support for Ukraine in their fight against Russian tyranny. We must provide support for our Indo-Pacific and Middle East allies. Crucially, we cannot wait any longer to provide humanitarian aid for the civilians caught in the crossfire of these conflicts. Without this swift action, the legacy of this Congress will be the destruction of Ukraine, the appeasement of a dictator, and the abandonment of starving children and ailing families. We must come to a bipartisan compromise and show the American people that Congress is still able to address urgent needs and show the world that America is still unwavering as a defender of democracy wherever it is being fought for. Congress must avoid a shutdown. We must enact full-year spending bills and emergency assistance for our national security and deliver for the American people as soon as possible. To those ends, let this be our last continuing resolution.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with the fondest of memories and the heaviest of hearts that I rise today to remember author, educator, and my dear friend, Robie Harris, who we lost earlier this year. Robie was an extraordinary woman--a fierce defender of free speech, a dedicated teacher, an inspiring author, as well as a loyal friend and devoted wife and mother. Hers is a remarkable legacy as an advocate for children that will continue to inspire many. Born in Buffalo, New York, Robie discovered her love for the written word very early in life. As she told it, at just six years old she ``published'' her first work, Robie's Stories, an assignment from her kindergarten teacher. It was comprised of pictures and journal memories that each child produced every day that were then compiled into a book at the end of the year. As Robie grew up, so did her love of reading, writing, and learning--so much so that she would go on to dedicate her professional life to them. Robie went on to become the editor of both her high school newspaper as well as her college yearbook. Alter earning her undergraduate degree at Wheaton College, Robie moved to New York City where she initially found work at the United Nations. However, she knew that this was not her passion, so she pursued a teaching degree at Bank Street College of Education. Following the completion of her degree from Bank Street, she became an elementary school teacher at the Bank Street School for Children, where she taught writing and later directed after-school programs in the school's new Head Start program. It was through her work with children, as well as the experience of watching her own children and nieces and nephews grow up, that Robie found a voice as a children's book author. She was inspired by the many questions and curiosities she heard from them and made it her mission to write and produce books that would help them navigate the many changes they would experience as they moved from one stage of development to the next. Robie's first book, a collaborative effort with fellow author and friend, Elizabeth Levy was Before You Were Three: How You Began to Walk, Talk, Explore, and Have Feelings, and her first solo books included the picture books Don't Forget to Come Back and I Hate Kisses. Over the course of her writing career, Robie maintained her commitment to writing nonfiction, age-appropriate books, writing more than thirty titles that covered a multitude of topics including engineering, architecture, nutrition, math, death, and genetics. But it was her groundbreaking work, It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, and Sexual Health, a guided preadolescent children on puberty, their changing bodies, sexuality, and sexual health, that was not only her most successful, but also drove Robie's fierce advocacy for free speech. While praised by medical professionals, child development specialists, and educators for its accuracy, reliability and for offering children clear guidance on the topic, as well as having been translated into 27 languages and sold one million copies, and having been updated numerous times, including a 25th anniversary edition; this title has ranked among the most frequently challenged and banned books in the country according to the American Library Association. Robie was an active member of PEN America, an organization that works to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide and champion the freedom to write because they understand the transformational power of words. Robie was a founding member of PEN America's Children's and Young Adults Books Committee and she was known for her calm, tactful, yet staunch and unwavering advocacy for the freedom of expression. In an essay for PEN, Robie once wrote, ``I write books for children because in some small way I hope that they will find the words I write useful, reassuring, interesting, and at times humorous and also in some small way help them to stay emotionally and/ or physically healthy by giving honest, accurate, up-to-date, and age- appropriate information.'' Robie was fearless in her defense of her work and that of other writers. She once said in an interview, ``This to me is the bottom line on freedom of expression. As a reader, you have the right to speak out for or against whatever you read. As a writer, I have the right to write whatever I want to write--and I am just not going to stop.'' Robie's passion for working with children, particularly in early childhood development, was a shared mission. Her husband, Bill Harris, is the founder of KidsPac, a group that helped to focus legislators at every level of government on the importance of early childhood education. For more than two decades KidsPac was a leader and respected voice in the advocacy for policies concerning childcare, prenatal health, and early education. Robie and Bill's activism was integrated into every facet of their lives, so it is no surprise that both of their sons, David and Ben, both followed in their footsteps. David, taking a page from his father's work, has focused his professional life on research and advocacy for policies that address child poverty. Ben, whose interests more mirrored Robie's, is now Clinical Professor at the Psychological Center at The City College of New York (CCNY), which provides low-to-moderate-cost services to the CCNY and West Harlem communities. In this role, and throughout his career, he has worked with a socioeconomically and culturally diverse range of children and adolescents as well as adults. I found a kindred spirit in Robie. She never stopped, and she never took no for an answer. I will forever be grateful for the friendship, humor, and generosity she bestowed on me over the years. Illustrator and dear friend, Michael Emberly probably described her best when he said of Robie, ``She was smart and sensitive, kind, and generous beyond reckoning. She was a complicated human being in the best sense, and she had one of the best attributes you can say about a human being--she was memorable.'' I extend my heartfelt condolences to her husband, Bill, and her sons, David and Ben. Though we all feel that she was taken from us too soon, Robie Harris touched countless lives and she will be deeply missed by all those who knew her.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart but fond memories that I rise today to pay tribute to the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman and my good friend, Vicki Modell. Along with her husband, Fred, Vicki became a respected leader and fierce advocate for those diagnosed with Primary Immunodeficiency and their loved ones. Though she will no longer be a daily presence in our lives, those fortunate enough to have known and worked with her will most certainly carry on her legacy. In 1986, Vicki and Fred Modell lost their only son, Jeffrey, to Primary Immunodeficiency, a genetic disorder that leaves the body unable to fight off infections. Not long after their son passed away, the Modells created the Jeffrey Modell Foundation--not to commemorate Jeffrey's death, but rather to celebrate his life by giving life to others who suffer from the same illness. Today, the Foundation is a global organization devoted to early and precise diagnosis, meaningful treatments, and research toward a cure. Vicki was the heart and soul of the Foundation, and its continued mission to meet its ultimate goal--to find a cure--is her legacy. I first met Vicki and Fred when they came to me to advocate for increased federal investments in research of Primary Immunodeficiency. From our very first meeting, I was impressed, not only with their determination but their passion. They transformed the devastating loss of their child into a lifelong advocacy effort. Today, the Jeffrey Modell Foundation is recognized as a respected voice for advocacy, education, and research. I could not be more proud of the work we have done together to ensure federal investments in this critical work. In one of many remembrances, Vicki's family recounted the story of Jeffrey asking his parents to ``do something.'' Through her work at the Foundation and her unwavering advocacy, that was just what Vicki did. Whenever faced with challenges or obstacles, Vicki never took no for an answer--she just kept going. In doing so she made such a difference in people's lives. One of her favorite programs, Roots & Wings, provides lifesaving travel and related support to families whose child has been identified with a potentially life-threatening Primary Immunodeficiency requiring lifesaving medical care far away from home. Jeffrey asked Vicki to ``Do Something,'' and she did. As I stand today and extend my heartfelt condolences to Vicki's husband, Fred, as well as her family, friends, and colleagues, I am inspired to continue to work with them and the Jeffrey Modell Foundation to honor Vicki's memory by making a difference in the lives of those diagnosed with Primary Immunodeficiency and their loved ones. I look forward to the day when we realize her ultimate dream of finding a cure. I know I, like so many others, will keep the memory of Vicki Modell close as we continue this important work.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the ranking member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, 122 days ago, Hamas terrorists murdered over 1,000 Israelis and at least 30 Americans in cold blood. They took hundreds hostage in the worst attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust. President Biden's supplemental funding request for Israel, Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and for our border has gone all but completely unanswered by this historic do-nothing majority. For months our colleagues in the majority insisted that any foreign assistance bill must include border policy changes. So spoke Speaker Johnson at the White House several months ago, and he said that we needed a bipartisan border security agreement that would open and unlock the door for funds for foreign assistance. Yet, Republicans have rejected a bipartisan bill that would accomplish exactly what they have asked for. While declaring that bill dead on arrival in the House, the majority has opted to consider a bill that we know the President will veto. This is a political stunt that makes it less likely that Israel gets its funds while endangering U.S. national security. This accomplishes nothing and delays aid getting out to our allies and providing humanitarian relief. Our allies cannot wait, our border communities cannot wait, and our cities cannot wait. I wholeheartedly support funding for Israel. I have written aid to Israel supplemental appropriations over the last several years. However, I cannot support this bill which falls dangerously short of what this moment calls for. Our allies are facing existential threats, and our friends and foes around the globe are watching and waiting to see how America will respond. Putin is watching, Xi is watching, and the Ayatollah Khamenei is watching. Russia, China, and Iran are watching, and our allies are watching. This bill does not provide a penny in humanitarian assistance. We cannot abandon the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire of these conflicts, particularly in Gaza. The costs of Hamas' rule over Gaza and the war against Israel are borne by innocent Palestinians. Israel's harsh response has raised these costs further. Families and children are facing unthinkable circumstances. Millions are facing starvation because of this conflict. No one with clear eyes would say otherwise. Furthermore, if this bill were to become law, there is no path to support Ukraine. We are witnessing the first land war in Europe in a generation, and through inaction, this Congress is handing a sovereign nation over to a ruthless autocrat jeopardizing U.S. national security. Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine. If he overtakes Ukraine and moves against a NATO ally, then we will see U.S. troops in a ground war. If we do not provide Ukraine with what they need, then the ultimate legacy of the 118th Congress will be the appeasement of a dictator and the destruction of a free nation. Our allies and our enemies in Europe and around the globe will know that the United States is no longer a trusted partner in the security of the free world. Yet, we know that a supermajority of this body supports Ukraine. There are unquestionably more than 218 votes in the House for a supplemental appropriations bill that includes Israel, humanitarian assistance, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific assistance. Yet, House Republicans are refusing to take that path. The Senate bill acts now to address the border that is in crisis. The status quo is unacceptable, but Republicans say no to moving forward. We should reject this unserious effort, this political ploy, and insist on a bipartisan product that supports our allies and protects the integrity of our border. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum), who is the ranking member of the Defense Subcommittee.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Lois Frankel), a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Himes), the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Khanna).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Ocasio-Cortez).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Tlaib).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), the distinguished ranking member of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee.