Sharice Davids

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, in its 62-year history, the SBA's 504 loan program has helped thousands of entrepreneurs acquire heavy machinery and equipment, expand to more locations, and hire workers. It has long been a strong-performing SBA program and has enjoyed consistent bipartisanship support. We must continue to take all steps needed to preserve the integrity of the 504 program and ensure it will be an option for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Passing the bill before us today will help us do so. I thank Mr. Bishop and Ms. Craig for their hard work and collaboration in bringing this bill to the floor today. I also thank Mr. Luetkemeyer for his leadership today and his unwavering commitment to our Nation's 30 million small businesses. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers at this time, and I am prepared to close.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the importance of the $31 billion allocated to tribal governments under the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which includes a critical investment of $20 billion for direct relief for the 574 federally recognized tribal nations across the United States. As you know, this funding is a lifeline to Native communities, who have suffered the most devastating and disproportionate impact of the public health and economic crises of the COVID-19 pandemic. This $20 billion fund is critical for tribal governments to address the economic losses and health disparities that were left unaddressed through funding dedicated under the CARES Act, and I applaud your leadership to prioritize tribal nations in the ARP since the federal government's trust responsibility has largely been ignored throughout history. In an effort to strengthen the intended goal of investing these funds into Indian Country, I first and foremost would like to stress that the federal government's trust responsibility to our tribal nations is of upmost importance. It is absolutely essential that in its implementation of the American Rescue Plan Act and in its distribution of funding allocations, the Department of the Treasury fully and properly consults with tribal leaders across the country, as required by law. Additionally, in my conversations with tribal leaders over the last year, I have heard three main concerns about relief fund allocations for Native communities that are addressed in turn below. First, I respectfully suggest clarification of the ARP language of Section 9901, indicating how the $19 of the $20 billion direct relief for tribal governments is to be allocated by Treasury to ensure economic recovery funds can be used in a flexible manner, which was left unaddressed under the CARES Act. The availability of flexible spending is of grave importance since tribal governments faced significant impacts from COVID-19 and, as a result, lost critical government revenue. It is estimated that tribal nations sustained 35 percent revenue loss in 2020 since they lack traditional tax bases enjoyed by state and local governments. Thus, tribal enterprise revenues supply a majority of funding for basic government services to make up for these losses. As it stands, the language in this bill allows the Department of the Treasury to implement this Fund such that tribes are able to meet their individual and unique needs, whether it be addressing employment costs, providing health care or education, or investing in much-needed infrastructure. That flexibility is owed as a measure of tribal sovereignty, and I will work with the Department of the Treasury to ensure that the bill is implemented as such. Second, the Department of the Treasury must conduct robust tribal consultation with tribal nations to determine the most effective and fair ways of measuring tribal population figures. Again, this issue was left largely unaddressed under the language of the CARES Act, and the past administration's decision to utilize the Indian Housing Block Grant formula for its tribal population calculation resulted in inaccurate funding distributions across the country. I urge the Department to ask tribal governments to submit comments on their preferred population metrics, and actually take those comments into account in an effort to strengthen our government-to-government relationship with tribal nations. Finally, Congress's intent for the tribal set-aside in the Fund is to provide an equitable allocation between economic and population-based factors. The Department of the Treasury must provide a strong baseline of support for all tribal governments, ensuring that no tribes are excluded from these funds, in addition to considerations for revenue losses and cost increases. I thank the Speaker for the opportunity to speak to this historic investment in Indian County, and for continued work to uphold the Federal trust responsibility to the 574 federally recognized tribal nations in the United States. I look forward to working with the Department of the Treasury on swift implementation of this landmark legislation.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I'd like to thank my colleague, Chairman Richard Neal for his tireless work on the Butch Lewis Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021 and for providing retirement income security for pension recipients in endangered, critical or critical and declining status multiemployer pension plans. In Kansas, thousands of retirees currently receive pensions through the Central States Plan and they face a crisis--a severe reduction in retirement income through no fault of their own. Without the direct relief provided in this legislation, the Central States Pension Fund would have become insolvent in 2026 and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation would have to reduce 360,000 participants' pensions to pennies. This is unacceptable. As Chairman Neal is all too aware, many of the participants of Central States are frontline workers who have served our country tirelessly and fearlessly in the face of the pandemic. The present structure of these plans is unsustainable and in need of reform. Without modernization of these plans and addressing employer liabilities, I am concerned that multiemployer pension plans and their retirees will certainly face similar circumstances in the future and require additional federal funds. This much needed relief to the plans is designed to forestall insolvency leaving important work that must follow. I believe we must seize this opportunity to reform these plans and take insolvency off the table. I understand the Chairman is committed to working with me to modernize and strengthen multiemployer pension plans with the intent of bringing a reform package to the floor in this Congress. Could the Chairman confirm that is the case?

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Major Jacob D. McElwee for his service in the Kansas Army National Guard and his recent role in sending out troops to Topeka and Washington, D.C. this month to provide additional security support for the inauguration. A resident of the Third District in Shawnee, Major McElwee became a commissioned Judge Advocate General Corps Officer in the Kansas Army National Guard in September 2010. During his service as a Judge Advocate General Corps Officer, Major McElwee deployed to Kosovo in 2014 through 2015 and then again to Kuwait and Iraq in 2018 through 2019. Major McElwee is currently the legal advisor to the Adjutant General Major General David Weishaar. As a fulltime Kansas Army National Guard Judge Advocate General, Major McElwee handles a non-stop flow of requests and questions, while ensuring the highest quality work product possible. He dropped everything to travel to Salina with another officer and two paralegals to help with the rolling out of troops to protect our state and national capitols. One of the most rewarding parts of representing the Third District is hearing about the exemplary service and accomplishments of my constituents. Major McElwee is certainly no exception and I commend him for his dedication to our state and country.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Gale Sayers, who passed away this week. A native Kansan, Gale was a revered athlete in the Sunflower State. Known as the Kansas Comet, Gale played football at the University of Kansas for three years before getting selected by the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL draft. He went on to become the youngest professional football player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame. Though Gale's career was cut short after a knee injury, he was still considered a renowned player for many years and inspired young athletes across the county. Many will remember his accomplishments on the field, but he also contributed to the community in other ways. At KU, Gale joined the student march for fair housing. Most notably, Gale spoke up about the pattern of head trauma football players face over time and its long-term consequences, a topic that was still relatively unknown and unstudied. Madam Speaker, I am deeply grateful for Gale's contributions and I know that even in his death, he will continue to be remembered for generations. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Gale's family and friends.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life of Reggie Robinson, who passed away last week. Reggie was a fixture at the University of Kansas and inspired countless Jayhawks during his time there. He is survived by his wife and their two daughters. Reggie attended KU both as an undergraduate and law student. While there, he served as the student body vice president and went on to work as editor in chief of the Kansas Law Review. But his dedication to KU did not stop after earning these degrees. Reggie devoted nearly 40 years of his life to KU and held numerous leadership roles. He was vice chancellor for public affairs at KU, director of KU's School of Public Affairs and Administration, president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, a faculty member at the Washburn and KU schools of law, and chief of staff to Chancellor Robert Hemenway. Most recently, Reggie served as CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation, a position he deeply loved. Another way that Reggie gave back to the community was through service on several leadership boards, including for the Friends of the Spencer Museum of Art, Hall Center for the Humanities, Kansas Leadership Center, Douglas County Community Foundation, and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. He also was a life trustee of KU Endowment and held advisory roles with the KU Alumni Association. On a personal note, I had the opportunity to meet Reggie several times and I always found him to be incredibly passionate about his job and ready to represent the best interests of his students. Though we didn't serve at the same time, Reggie and I were also both White House fellows. Reggie spent five years in Washington, D.C., including the time he served as a White House fellow assigned to the office of then- Attorney General Janet Reno. Madam Speaker, I offer my sincere and deepest condolences to Reggie's family, friends, and all those who benefitted from his kindness and mentorship. Reggie inspired many who walked the halls of KU and he will be dearly missed.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Mayor Michael Copeland, who passed away on August 19, 2020. Mayor Copeland was a devoted father and husband. He is survived by his wife, Maria, and three children, Olivia, Abigail, and Joshua. As Olathe's longest serving mayor, he was elected in 2001 and held the office until his passing. Mayor Copeland leaves behind a legacy that has touched the lives of many in the Olathe community. Personally, I will miss Mayor Copeland's counsel. I very much appreciated each one of our many conversations since I took office. He was always generous with his time and knowledge, willing and eager to represent the people of Olathe. Mr. Speaker, I offer my deepest condolences to Mayor Copeland's family and friends and to all of those who will miss his kindness and leadership. This truly is a loss for Kansas and our community.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to honor the life and service of Mayor Michael Copeland, who passed away on August 19, 2020. Mayor Copeland was a devoted father and husband, who is survived by his wife Maria, and children Olivia, Abigail and Joshua. Mayor Copeland began his career in public service in 1993, when he was elected as Ward 4 Councilmember in Olathe. He went on to be elected mayor in 2001, an office he held until his passing. As Olathe's longest-serving mayor, he was a wonderful champion for his beloved community. During his tenure, he guided Olathe through a time of unprecedented growth and pioneered several programs to improve the city. One of these initiatives, a children's literacy program called ``I Read with Mayor Mike,'' reached thousands of kids in Olathe and was recognized by First Lady Laura Bush, who visited Olathe in 2008 to celebrate the program. Not only did Mayor Copeland dedicate his life to public service, he also devoted his time to charity work. He created the Olathe Mayor's Christmas Tree Fund, which raised more than $1.5 million for children's charities since 2007. He received numerous accolades, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy Award given by the Olathe Branch of the NAACP, the Olathe Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year Award, and the Daily Points of Light Award. Mayor Copeland leaves behind a legacy that has touched the lives of many in the Olathe community. During his 20 years of service, he added 18 parks and 29 miles of trails, opened the new Olathe Community Center and new Indian Creek Library, and completed the Santa Fe railroad grade separation--among many other notable accomplishments. Personally, I will miss Mayor Copeland's wise counsel. I very much enjoyed each one of our many conversations since I took office. He was always generous with his time and knowledge, willing and eager to represent the people of Olathe. Madam Speaker, I offer my deepest condolences to Mayor Copeland's family and friends, and all of those who will miss his kindness and leadership.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the amendment introduced by Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, which would prevent the Department of Justice from spending taxpayer dollars on a lawsuit that would tear down the landmark Affordable Care Act. To effectively fight the coronavirus, we have to make sure that every person has access to affordable, quality healthcare. But even during a global pandemic, when so many people are finding themselves without health insurance, this administration is determined to eliminate every last protection and benefit afforded by the ACA. These benefits include allowing young adults to stay on their parents' plan until age 26, ensuring women and men are charged the same rates, and protecting people with preexisting conditions, things like asthma and diabetes. If this lawsuit is successful, 94,000 Kansans would lose their healthcare coverage, people like Danny Robeson. I met Danny when he was 7. He lives in Prairie Village, in the district that I represent. He was born prematurely, has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and a cortical vision impairment, health conditions that surely are considered preexisting conditions. Without the protections of the ACA, his family fears that they would go bankrupt and be unable to get Danny the care he needs.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, during this time of uncertainty, no Kansan should have to worry about whether they will afford the care that they or their families need to stay healthy. We should build on the progress of the ACA, not tear it down. I urge my fellow colleagues to support the amendment introduced by Representative Underwood.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to offer my support for a new and exciting technology called hyperloop, a modern innovation to enhance our Nation's transportation infrastructure. Hyperloop consists of a network of sealed tubes where trains carrying cargo or passengers can pass through without air resistance or friction. This could drastically reduce travel time from hours to mere minutes. Benefits of this technology are numerous: in addition to shortening travel time, hyperloop is energy efficient and has the potential to dramatically cut greenhouse gasses from our atmosphere. Additionally, while we enter a time of economic uncertainty, hyperloop represents an entirely new sector of the economy and would provide opportunities for new jobs and could stimulate commerce. Madam Speaker, I am especially excited about this new technology because of its unique tie to Kansas and the Third District. One of our finest constituent companies in Kansas' Third District, Black and Veatch, has been working on hyperloop projects for some time, demonstrating that Kansas City would be a welcome location for any pilot program. Spirit AeroSystems, our neighbors in Wichita, have been tapped to help build the high-tech capsules for Virgin Hyperloop One, which has a project site in Kansas City, Missouri that could serve as the starting point for an eventual Kansas City-to-St.Louis stretch, cutting travel times from a nearly 4 hour drive to just 30 minutes by hyperloop. And Kansas City has long been heralded as a talent center for high-tech and engineering jobs, which aligns well with the growth of this cutting-edge technology sector. Last October, I hosted a Small Business Committee field hearing in my district, bringing together various startups and entrepreneurs to discuss innovation and expanding capital for high-tech small businesses. In that same vein, I would be excited to see hyperloop introduced in the greater Kansas City metro area and look forward to showing what Kansas' Third District has to offer.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to highlight an issue on our southern border, at the Laredo International Rail Bridge, linking the United States to Mexico. This particular bridge is owned by the Kansas City Southern railroad. They are a crucial fixture of the greater Kansas City area economy, employing more than 7,000 people and operating thousands of miles of rail network between the United States and Mexico. Trains that cross the Laredo International Rail Bridge in either direction are required to stop in the middle of the bridge and switch out the crews and perform various inspections before continuing. This often exacerbates the congestion at the busiest rail crossing on the southern border and leaves the sometimes miles-long trains blocking streets and highways on both sides of the border. Moreover, it limits the number of trains that can make this crossing daily. Many of those trains are carrying agricultural goods, some being shipped from Kansas. I understand the difficult situation at this border and the importance of finding a solution. The current status of operations at the Laredo International Rail Bridge is inefficient, time-consuming, and a safety hazard. I am also concerned about alternate solutions that do not take our rail workers' labor rights into account. I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find a solution that will protect workers' rights and maintain safety, while also maximizing time and space so that our railroads can continue to be successful. Safety and efficiency are the watchwords in solving this problem and we need a reasonable and equitable solution.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. From skyrocketing prescription drug prices to rising premiums, too many Kansans are struggling to afford the basic costs of healthcare and access to coverage, a problem that has only grown during this public health crisis. And just last week, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, this administration asked the Supreme Court to strike down every last protection and benefit afforded by the Affordable Care Act. A new report found that a number of Americans would lose health coverage if this lawsuit succeeded. Twenty-three million people, including 94,000 Kansans, would lose their health insurance. We need to build on the progress of the Affordable Care Act to lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, not rip away people's healthcare at such an important time during this global pandemic. And that is exactly what the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act would do. This essential legislation would help lower the cost of healthcare, bring down the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs, crack down on junk insurance plans, and strengthen protections for people with preexisting conditions. Importantly, it would also help States like Kansas expand Medicaid, providing an estimated 150,000 Kansans with affordable, quality healthcare. I have long been pushing for Kansas to join the 36 other States that have already expanded Medicaid so we can lower the costs of healthcare and increase access to health coverage, meaning more people are protected during emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic. I am proud to have helped secure vital provisions in this legislation that would give Kansas more urgently needed money to expand Medicaid. By renewing the ACA's original expanded Federal match, we could both incentivize States to expand their Medicaid programs and ensure a smooth transition for those that do so. While this administration works to tear down the ACA in court, I am working alongside my House colleagues to strengthen the ACA and help ensure that everyone can receive affordable, quality healthcare. Because during this time of uncertainty, no Kansan should have to worry about whether she will receive the care that they need and that their families need to stay healthy.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kent Cornish, who is retiring from the Kansas Association of Broadcasters after serving as the President and Executive Director for 12 years. Kent, a graduate of the University of Kansas, has nearly 25 years of broadcasting experience in Kansas and is a tireless advocate for the local broadcasting community. He started his career as news reporter, anchor and assistant news director at WIBW until serving as executive director of the Kansas Manufactured Housing Institute in 1980. Kent returned to WIBW a few years later and was named program director/ operations manager. He also spent 10 years at KTKA TV in Topeka before becoming vice president/general manager at KSAS/KMTW in Wichita. Kent has left a lasting mark on Kansas. He has earned numerous broadcast awards including the Grover Cobb award from the University of Kansas and General Manager of the Year from the Broadcast Professionals of Wichita. Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Kent Cornish on his years of dedication and outstanding service to Kansas. On behalf of Kansas' Third District, we are so proud of Kent's hard work and wish him the best in the next chapter of his life.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Officer Mike Mosher who was killed in the line of duty on May 3, 2020. Officer Mosher served with the Overland Park Police Department for 14 years and was the President of the Overland Park Fraternal Order of Police. Officer Mosher was passionate about his job and served valiantly in our community. He is described by colleagues, friends, and family as a dedicated father and a true gentleman. In 2018, Officer Mosher was one of two officers to stop an active shooter. He earned the Gold Valor Award and was named Officer of the Year at the Metro Chiefs Awards for Valor. Officer Mosher also loved bringing the community together. He organized events like Shop with a Cop, served as a field training officer, and played a major role in starting the Shoot for the Gold fundraiser, which raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Special Olympics. My thoughts are with Officer Mosher's wife and daughter during this difficult time. I join the Overland Park community in expressing my deep gratitude for Officer Mosher's service as we mourn his passing.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share my support of three important bills that were considered by the House on Wednesday: H.R. 4044, the Protect and Restore America's Estuaries Act; H.R. 4031, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act; and H.R. 2382, the USPS Fairness Act. Regrettably, I was unable to cast my votes for this legislation, but had I been able to, I would have voted to pass all three. I had the pleasure to support Mr. Malinowski's and Mr. Joyce's bills in the full Transportation and Infrastructure Committee markup and would have gladly voted for them on the House floor as well. I am particularly disappointed to have missed the vote on the USPS Fairness Act, offered by Chairman DeFazio, which I cosponsored. Importantly, it would repeal the 2006 mandate that the U.S. Postal Service prefund future retiree health benefits. My mom has had a long civil service career at the U.S. Post Office, and so the issue really hits home for me. No other industry is so unfairly burdened with prefunding benefits in this way, and this bill would help stem the financial losses faced by the USPS. What is more, it would have no effect on the Federal budget. This legislation is not the end of the discussion for how we protect this vital industry and its workers; it is merely the beginning.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the importance of clean water and the dedication of the members of the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to their role in serving our communities. Access to clean water has become a major national concern. With the increased awareness of how environmental changes affect our water supply, as seen in towns like Flint, Michigan, it becomes increasingly important that we value our water and ensure it's safe for the public. In that spirit, today we celebrate a department that has demonstrated commitment to serving their community. The Kansas City BPU has received the ``10-Year Directors Award'' from the Partnership for Safe Water; a program developed by EPA, AWWA, and associated Partner organizations to guide water suppliers towards improving water quality by optimizing system operations. The Partnership is a voluntary self-assessment and optimization program for water treatment plants and distribution system operations. More than 300 utility subscribers, collectively serving more than 100 million people, are committed to the Partnership's goals of providing safe, high quality drinking water through achieving operational excellence in water treatment. Partnership members participate in a rigorous four- phase self-assessment and peer review process, developed by water utility optimization experts, and are recognized for their commitment to deliver safe water to their communities. The BPU plant was one of a select group of utilities honored by the Partnership at the annual conference of the American Water Works Association, the largest and oldest worldwide organization dedicated to safe water. I am honored to recognize William Johnson, BPU General Manager, as well as staff as they celebrate this outstanding award.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague from Illinois for yielding. The first thing I would like to do is thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Chabot for continuing the Small Business Committee's bipartisan efforts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 3734, the Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act, or the SERV Act, which I introduced with Ranking Member Chabot. This bipartisan piece of legislation helps veteran business owners succeed by studying the barriers they face, including lack of access to capital and credit. It also helps ensure that veterans are aware of all of the resources available to them through the Small Business Administration. I was fortunate enough to spend this past weekend on Veterans Day at home in the district I represent in Kansas. I was meeting the brave men and women who have served our country and was hearing about the issues and opportunities that they have. After everything our veterans have done for us, we must have their backs. They deserve nothing less than access to jobs, healthcare, and the services that they deserve. That includes the ability to start and grow a small business. Veterans possess many of the leadership and entrepreneurial skills to start and grow small businesses, but they face unique challenges, including difficulty accessing capital and credit. Since it is tough to accumulate the type of credit needed to start a business during your time in service, those issues are exactly what the SERV Act is intending to address. The SERV Act requires a report from the Comptroller General of the United States on the ability of veteran and reservist small business owners to access credit. The report will include new information and analysis on the sources of credit that veterans and other reservists use to start and maintain their businesses, as well as how deployment and other military responsibilities affect a veteran's and reservist's credit. Studying the problem of access to credit for veterans and reservists is a crucial first step in finding the right solutions. This legislation also helps connect veterans to existing programs in the Small Business Administration that are aimed at helping veterans transition their military skills from service to business, like Veteran Business Outreach Centers, Boots to Business, or the Service-Disabled Entrepreneurship Development Training. These programs provide vital resources for veterans, but they are only useful if veterans know about them. Without understanding the programs, veterans are not going to be able to access them. That is why the SERV Act requires the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development to develop a plan for outreach and promotion of these incredible programs. The task force is responsible for coordinating Federal efforts to improve capital access, business development, and contracting opportunities for veteran and service-disabled small businesses. But the task force has not submitted a report to Congress since 2015. That is why the SERV Act would require an annual report to Congress on its appointments and to outline its plan for outreach on the many programs available to veterans, service-disabled veterans, reservists, and their spouses. I urge all of my colleagues to support the SERV Act and help set our veteran entrepreneurs up for success.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with my esteemed colleague, Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, of Kansas City, Missouri to recognize Travois, Inc:, a Certified B Corporation headquartered in Kansas City, that has been named a ``Best For The World'' honoree by B Lab. Travois focuses exclusively on promoting housing and economic development for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. We are proud to have this socially and environmentally conscious company in the Kansas City metro region. Since its establishment in 1995, Travois has generated $1.4 billion in housing and economic development in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, helping clients build or rehabilitate more than 5,400 affordable homes. The company has brought more than $800 million in private investor equity to more than 200 developments in Indian Country. Travois raises capital for this purpose through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, the New Markets Tax Credit program, and through impact investors. Travois' work promotes public benefits, is designed to solve social and environmental issues, creates economic opportunity for individuals and communities, and focuses on underserved populations. The company also finances critical economic development projects, including infrastructure, healthcare, community centers, education facilities, and senior living centers in 22 states. Additionally, it provides employee benefits like on-site daycare and uses an extensive renewable energy system of rooftop solar panels to power its headquarters building. Travois has been honored in two categories of Best For the World: Overall and Customers. It earned recognition as Best for the World: Overall due to its rank in the top 10 percent of all 3,000 B Corporations worldwide across all six impact areas--environment, workforce, local communities, supplies, customers, and corporate governance. It is one of only 119 U.S. companies that were recognized with this honorary designation and is the only Missouri-based company in this category. The Best For the World recognition is administered by the global nonprofit B Lab, which certifies and supports Certified B Corporations that are dedicated to using business as a force for good. The 3,000 B Corporations are spread across 64 countries and 150 industries, unified by the common goal of redefining success in business. These corporations, including Travois, meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance and are assessed by the overall positive impact of their business model. Madam Speaker, please join Rep. Cleaver and myself in congratulating Travois, Inc. for being awarded as a Certified B Corporation Best For The World 2019 honoree. Travois' outstanding achievement and dedication to sustainability and social justice are truly admirable, and we are privileged to have such an organization in our Kansas City region.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 4405, the Women's Business Centers Improvements Act of 2019, which would increase access to vital resources and opportunities for female entrepreneurs in Kansas and across the country. I thank Ranking Member Chabot and Chairwoman Velazquez for their commitment to small businesses in our country. I thank my fellow Small Business Committee member, Representative Hagedorn, for cosponsoring and co-leading this bipartisan piece of legislation with me. This bill helps to strengthen the Women's Business Center program, which funds more than 100 women's business centers, also known as WBCs, across the country and in the district I represent in Kansas. These centers provide small business owners, many of whom are socially and economically disadvantaged, with critical counseling and training at all stages of their business development. Many WBCs provide multilingual services, maintain evening and weekend hours to accommodate clients who work full time, and allow children to attend sessions with their mothers. The value of WBCs cannot be overstated. Women are the fastest growing sector of entrepreneurs in our country. We often forget that up until 1988, women would have a hard time applying for a business loan without a male relative to cosign it. Now, more than 11.6 million businesses in the United States are owned by women, and more than 5.4 million businesses are majority owned by women of color. But even though we have made great progress, many unique challenges still exist for women, particularly women of color, to start and grow a business. These include things like limited access to funding resources and the support system needed to get a business off the ground and maintain its success. I see this firsthand when I am doing a ``Sharice's Shift'' in my district. It is our outreach program where I work at a local business and spend time with that business owner in my community. WBCs are critical in addressing a whole range of women's entrepreneurial needs. They provide training, mentoring, business development, and financing opportunities for 145,000 women entrepreneurs each year. The Kansas City Women's Business Center, located in Fairway, Kansas-- which I proudly represent--serves over 600 clients annually in both Kansas and Missouri through business trainings, workshops, counseling, and access to capital programs. That is why it is so important to support the WBC program. Despite the tremendous growth of the program since its creation in 1988, its resources have not kept up with the even greater growth of women entrepreneurs. My bill would authorize funding for the WBC program for 4 years at $31.5 million. It is currently at $18 million. This increase ensures the program can reach even more women. It would also increase the cap on individual center grants to $300,000 and index for inflation for the first time since the program's creation. According to a survey conducted by the Association of Women Business Centers, 70 percent of the centers could match at least $300,000. And it would establish an accreditation program to strengthen WBCs and raise the standards of excellence for training and counseling women entrepreneurs. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Women's Business Centers Improvements Act and help ensure that we can create a level playing field for female entrepreneurs that sets them up for success.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, today, during Building Safety Month, I am pleased to recognize the importance of safety in the built environment and the dedication of the members of the International Code Council (ICC) for their roles in protecting our communities. With natural disasters only expected to increase in frequency and severity, building codes include important safeguards to protect the public from tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, snowstorms, wildland fires, and earthquakes. In January 2019, the congressionally-established National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) released a study finding that adopting modern model building codes save $11 for every $1 invested through earthquake, flood, and wind mitigation benefits, with a $4 to $1 wildfire mitigation benefit. These benefits represent avoided casualties, property damage, business interruptions, and insurance costs, and are enjoyed by all building stakeholders--from developers, titleholders, and lenders, to tenants and communities. Vulnerable and underserved populations are most effected by increases in utility costs. And they often have the most to lose in the event of a disaster or health emergency. Building codes establish minimum requirements that ensure safe, resilient, and energy efficient schools, childcare and healthcare facilities, housing, and places of employment, regardless of the income or background of the facility's ownership and occupants. These protections are required by law for public safety, and enforced by code officials to ensure everyone enjoys the same protections and plays by the same rules. Year round, building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, laborers, and others in the construction industry work to ensure the safe construction of buildings though the use of model building codes. The dedicated members of the International Code Council, a national standards developing organization, come together with local, state and federal officials to develop voluntary consensus codes that protect Americans in the buildings where we worship, live, work, learn, and play. The International Codes, the most widely adopted building safety and fire prevention codes in the nation, are used by most U.S. cities and counties and in all 50 states, including the State of Kansas. I commend the city of Lenexa in my district for adopting the 2018 International Codes and the other cities in my district that are undertaking efforts to update their building codes. Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the critical role of our communities' code officials in assuring us safe, efficient, and livable buildings. ``No Code. No Confidence,'' the theme for Building Safety Month 2019, encourages all Americans to raise awareness of the importance of safe and resilient construction, fire prevention, disaster mitigation, and new technologies in the construction industry. I am honored to recognize International Code Council Board President William R. Bryant, ICC's Chief Executive Officer Dominic Sims, the International Code Council leadership, and ICC's Members and staff as they celebrate Building Safety Month.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Madam Speaker, today we come together to celebrate 100 years since the United States House passed the 19th Amendment prohibiting the government from denying the right to vote on the basis of sex. It was a milestone in the evolution of women's suffrage, but the hard work of making sure that all women could vote continued long after its passage. Women still had to fight to build a system where Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans and all women of color could not only register to vote but could actually cast their ballot. In 1924, when Native Americans were granted U.S. citizenship, we took a big step toward Native American women's suffrage. And in 1964 when the Voting Rights Act was passed, we took another step in breaking down obstacles that prevented Black women and other women of color from voting. The history of women's suffrage, like the history of our Nation, is complex, but it is a history that we must acknowledge and that we absolutely need to reckon with, because we know that people all over this country today still face voter suppression. So let's take this opportunity to celebrate this historic day but let us also recognize the full movement for women's suffrage has continued long after, and let's recommit to making sure that every citizen in this country can exercise their constitutional right to vote and participate in our democracy.

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas

Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this bill. I have heard a lot of rhetoric today about the role of Congress and the role of the administration in recognizing or not recognizing Tribal lands, Tribal governments, reservations, and the ability of Tribes to participate in whatever kind of economic development they so desire. I have also heard a lot of talk and discussion. I am pleased to hear talk and discussion on this House floor about the need to make sure that Tribes are recognized, that Tribal sovereignty is recognized, and that this government needs to do right by Native people and indigenous people to this land. But the basis for support of this bill today is not necessarily rooted in whether or not we are doing the ``right thing.'' Congress has a duty to properly exercise our plenary power over interactions with Tribal people and with Tribal governments. The Constitution gives Congress plenary power over interactions with Indian Tribes. What is at stake here today is how Congress and the Federal Government are going to continue to interact with Indian Tribes. Tribes don't need Congress Members' sympathy. What Tribes need is for us to properly exercise our duty. This bill does that. This bill exercises Congress' proper power to recognize a Tribe, to recognize Tribal reservation lands, and it has nothing to do with what happens afterwards. This bill wouldn't abrogate or alter the application of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act or any other piece of legislation. This bill would simply do exactly what Congress' job is to do: recognize the Federal-Tribal relationship that exists and the Tribal lands that are properly held in trust and should be held in trust for an Indian Tribe. That is what we are doing right now. All the talk and discussion about other pieces of legislation that might be called into question after this bill is passed should be debated later. That has nothing to do with what this specific bill applies to. Our role here is very simple. We have got to recognize the Mashpee Tribe's reservation. We have got to recognize their sovereignty and their self-determination.