Ted Deutch

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jones), an Ethics Committee member.

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/4\ minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Phillips), an Ethics Committee member.

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild), an Ethics Committee member.

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark), the Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Aguilar), who is the vice chair of the Democratic Caucus.

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Jeffries), who is the chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield 45 seconds to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Leger Fernandez).

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Madam Speaker, none of us wants to be here today revisiting the violent imagery and the vile, hateful content that Representative Gosar delighted in disseminating over his official social media accounts-- material defended over and over and over today by our colleagues. Had Republican leadership acted as they should have to hold their own Members accountable when they breach the most basic standards of decorum and decency, we wouldn't be here. Yet, the House cannot ignore Representative Gosar's conduct as Republicans would have us do. January 6 must serve as a reminder of just how important this action is that we are about to take. On January 6, violence stoked by hateful imagery and inflammatory rhetoric over social media found its way to the steps of the United States Capitol and the doors of this Chamber. On that day, insurrectionists broke those windows right near where I stand. Capitol Police officers drew their weapons, and Members bravely blocked the entrance. Heroes valiantly repelled the attack on our democracy. On this day, with our votes on this resolution, let us reject the notion that it is ever acceptable for a Member of Congress to threaten the safety of a fellow Member or depict the murder of a fellow Member. Let this resolution serve as an unwavering statement that never in this House should this type of horrific, violent imagery be deemed acceptable. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to smash the partisan lens through which they view this behavior and this debate. I ask all of my colleagues to support safety, civility, and decency by voting for H. Res. 789. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary trailblazer, philanthropist, and public servant in south Florida, Mrs. Norma Fink, on her 100th birthday. Born Norma Mager, in the Bronx, New York, on November 16, 1921, Norma has spent a century giving back to those around her. In 1942, Norma graduated from New York University with a bachelor's degree in economics and a minor in geology, the only woman to graduate with that honor at the time. Shortly after, she put her degree to work by joining the Department of War to assist with the military supply chain while her husband, Robert Fink, served in our Nation's Armed Forces during World War II. After the war, Norma worked in her father's bakery, Mager and Throne Bread Bakery. During this time, she became enamored with jazz music and made friends with many local musicians who were involved with the civil rights movement. Inspired by their work, Norma began contributing the money she made to support civil rights initiatives in the South. This became an ongoing passion of hers. After moving to Plantation, Florida, in 1972, Norma continued her legacy of supporting the enrichment of the community by joining the city's Parks and Recreation Department, where she still works at the age of 100. Additionally, she began spending her time and money supporting local charities. Following the loss of her daughter, Marian, to breast cancer in 2002, Norma dedicated herself to helping others suffering from cancer. Norma's spirit of persistence, generosity, and service to her community is an inspiration to all of us in south Florida. It is an inspiration to generations of Americans. To honor her legacy, the city of Plantation, her home for nearly half a century, has designated Norma Fink Day in honor of the oldest and longest part-time employee in that city's history. I join the entire south Florida community in wishing Norma Fink a happy 100th birthday surrounded by her loved ones. I thank her for her dedication to bettering the lives of everyone in south Florida. Making History With Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the historic day yesterday in this Nation's history. The legislation that the President signed into law was overwhelmingly bipartisan in the Senate, and it was overwhelmingly supported by the American people. Why? Because it is the largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the Interstate Highway System. It is the largest investment in public transit and passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak. It expands broadband to every corner of our country so that every American has access to reliable, high-speed internet. It secures clean water, making the largest investment in clean drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in American history. This is what we have been clamoring for, in a bipartisan way, as long as I have been serving in this Congress. Yesterday, President Biden delivered. He did it with the bipartisan support of the Senate and the overwhelming support of the American people. Unfortunately, in this Chamber, my colleagues on the other side view any sort of bipartisan effort like that as too difficult to support, too difficult to stand with the Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, too difficult to stand with Democrats here, and too difficult, apparently, to stand with the America people in moving forward with a massive infrastructure plan that will help strengthen every community across our country. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud that this House joined with the Senate in sending this legislation to President Biden. Yesterday, as I said, was a historic day as President Biden signed the infrastructure bill into law and as we move forward to the Build Back Better Act. Again, I note for my colleagues here, this too is so popular throughout America because everyone understands that if we invest in the American people, if we take the kind of action that is necessary to lower healthcare costs and childcare costs, provide universal pre-K, and make investments to combat climate change that we will be making America more competitive on the global stage, something that my colleagues in this Chamber often talk about. I hope that they will recognize the opportunity to do exactly that in passing the Build Back Better Act when we vote on it this week.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar).

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Florida.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 760) expressing solidarity with Cuban citizens demonstrating peacefully for fundamental freedoms, condemning the Cuban regime's acts of repression, and calling for the immediate release of arbitrarily detained Cuban citizens.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 760.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 760, introduced by my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, together with my friend, Congressman Diaz-Balart, and chair of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Congressman Sires, supports the basic human rights of the Cuban people and stands with them in their right to peacefully protest their own government. In July, the largest protest in decades swept the island of Cuba. Activists, in turn, were beaten and jailed by the government. Many remain jailed. According to Human Rights Watch, many have been subjected to abuse and torture simply for standing up for access to food, to medicine, to information, and to have their rights respected. This resolution expresses solidarity with the Cuban people ahead of planned nationwide protests for November 15. The organizers of these protests sought approval from the government, as the Cuban constitution allows for legitimate protest. They were denied. We must stand with the people of Cuba as they exercise their right to free expression. We must condemn the violent response to peaceful protests by the Cuban people. That is what this resolution does. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for working to bring this resolution to the floor, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1064) to advance the strategic alignment of United States diplomatic tools toward the realization of free, fair, and transparent elections in Nicaragua and to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to protect the fundamental freedoms and human rights of the people of Nicaragua, and for other purposes.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on S. 1064.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1064, the RENACER Act. I thank my good friend, Albio Sires from New Jersey, for his tireless work in championing this bill and continuously drawing attention to the antidemocratic actions taken by the Ortega regime. This legislation makes clear that the United States will not sit by quietly as another country in our hemisphere slides further away from our democratic values. Working with our friends and partners in the international community, this bill will allow us to continue applying pressure on the Ortega regime ahead of the elections later this month. Sadly, all signs indicate that these elections will be far from free and fair. Passing this bill will demonstrate the United States Government's strong belief that a commitment to upholding human rights and free expression are key pillars of promoting and preserving democracy. The legislation takes a number of important steps. It restricts the Ortega regime's ability to access capital for corrupt purposes via international financial institutions and will bolster transparency mechanisms to ensure any that funds Nicaragua receives are not siphoned off for illicit or illegal purposes. The RENACER Act will also ensure our sanctions policy is thoughtful and effective by focusing targeted sanctions on bad actors undermining the rule of law and democracy and not on the Nicaraguan people. Crucially, the legislation requires the Secretary of State to work with partners to make our sanctions multilateral and even more effective. The RENACER Act also serves a crucial factfinding purpose by including important reports on regime corruption, human rights abuses, arms sales, and Russia's role in the country. Just as this bill builds on the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018, these report provisions will help Congress develop and mold additional responses should the Ortega regime continue down an illiberal and undemocratic path. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. House of Representatives, Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC, November 2, 2021. Hon. Gregory Meeks, Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: I am writing concerning S. 1064, Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform (RENACER) Act of 2021. In order to permit S. 1064 to proceed expeditiously to the House Floor, I agree to forgo formal consideration of the bill. The Committee on Financial Services takes this action to forego formal consideration of S. 1064 in light of our mutual understanding that, by foregoing formal consideration of S. 1064 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as this or similar legislation moves forward with regard to any matters in the Committee's jurisdiction. The Committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation that involves the Committee's jurisdiction and request your support for any such request. Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding, and I would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the Congressional Record during Floor consideration of S. 1064. Sincerely, Maxine Waters, Chairwoman.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, RENACER is an excellent piece of legislation. I thank my colleagues who, in a bipartisan way, worked together under Representative Sires' tireless leadership, and for his work with Senator Menendez in getting this bill across the finish line. The United States must stand for democracy. We must stand for democracy in Nicaragua. This legislation shows that we will not abdicate our responsibility to do so. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.