Madeleine Dean

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, last week a fire in Philadelphia killed 12 people, including 8 children. While our city mourned, just days later, a fire in New York killed 17, including 8 children. These two events have at least three things in common: a high loss of life, an extraordinary number of children killed, all in public housing overcrowded with families who cannot afford to move. Too many families are in this position because of our Nation's housing crisis. We say we need affordable housing, so let me speak plainly. We need more housing, affordable public and private housing, that families with low income can actually afford. In the Philadelphia area, there are tens of thousands of people on waiting lists that are nearly a decade closed or years long. We in Congress have a role to play. In the Build Back Better Act is $150 billion to repair and restore existing housing and to build more public and affordable private housing. That will be a powerful start. As the Senate stalls, more families are in danger. It is time this House, and their house, helps others find theirs.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for yielding. Madam Speaker, speaking of running roughshod, no President-- Republican or Democrat--is above the law, but some have tried to be. The previous President and his sad followers ignored subpoenas, punished whistleblowers, and invited foreign interference in our elections. Congress--Republicans and Democrats--must act to protect our democracy from any future reckless Presidents, which is why the Protecting Our Democracy Act is crucial. This bill will strengthen our institutions against future Presidents who seek to abuse their power. January 6 showed us that Presidential abuse can find its way to a joint session of Congress in a deadly way--140 police officers injured; several police officers dead; desecration; trauma. That is why the work of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol is so critical. Their subpoenas cannot be ignored. My Congressional Subpoena Compliance and Enforcement Act, which is included in this bill, will standardize and streamline the process so that no one can ignore a subpoena with impunity. The previous President's abuses reveal the dangerous fault line.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, another week, another week of gun deaths. No matter where you live--Oxford, Michigan; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; or, most recently, in my district, Pottstown--no matter where you are--a school, a place of worship, or your parked car--gun violence hunts down far too many innocent Americans and, quite frankly, can find any one of us. Our inaction on gun safety, ghost guns, and gun violence has created a tragic version of Groundhog Day. Too often we and our children wake up to another headline about senseless, needless gun violence; one slaughter bleeding into the next. Last week, Oxford High School became the 30th school shooting in 2021, with four dead and seven injured. Thirty times this year alone. These are not isolated incidents. They join a long history of our Nation's failure to have an honest discussion about guns and gun violence. Lawmakers have the responsibility to legislate and to protect our children and our neighbors from gun violence. When will we wake up to a new day?

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce H.R. 5677, which makes technical amendments to the United States Code to ensure clarity and accessibility of our laws. As Members of Congress, we have a duty to oversee the revision and codification of our laws, making these types of bills incredibly important. My bill edits titles 2, 50, and 52 of the United States Code, the Americans with Disabilities Act, War and National Defense, and Voting and Elections, respectively. Though it is important to introduce new laws in Congress, it is equally important to look back and ensure existing laws keep up with our times. That is why my bill will ensure there is uniformity in our code, making necessary technical updates to ensure accuracy. The updated code must be maintained in a bipartisan manner. These discrete changes are important in maintaining order in these three important codes, for example, and order and justice in this country under the law, allowing for clearer and more accessible laws for all Americans. This seemingly routine process is nothing less than urgent and essential. We are ensuring our laws are accurate and clear. It is required in the pursuit of justice. I thank our committee for the work in maintaining our laws, and I especially thank the Office of the Law Revision Counsel for their work. I ask everyone to vote in favor of this bill.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, 2 weeks ago, Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, and the entire Montgomery County community lost a distinguished educator and community leader, Lower Merion High School Principal Sean Hughes. Coming from Harleysville, Principal Hughes dedicated himself to Montgomery County throughout his life, serving as a teacher and athletic director, and last serving as principal for 14 years. As a teacher, Mr. Hughes taught with compassion, personality, and an open-door policy, shaping thousands of students' lives with his kindness and leadership. One student called him ``the light of the school.'' His trademark phrase was: ``Character counts.'' If the outpouring of love and support from the Lower Merion community, from students past and present, is any indication, Mr. Hughes' character was one to emulate. His life was taken too soon. May his memory and light continue in the hearts and minds of his students, peers, and family. Though it is profoundly difficult, I pray for his family, especially his wife, Kristi, and their children, Jack, Nolan, and Kate, and the Lower Merion High School to find solace in the thousands of lives he has touched. Rest in peace, Principal Hughes. Your character has counted and will continue to. May your memory be a blessing.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I am so excited about this bill that I have gone hoarse talking about it, so I apologize for my gravelly voice, but it is not from any lack of enthusiasm for the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which is really a jobs bill. I want to just commend my colleagues from Pennsylvania and from around the country, as we fought for this bill, as we fought for this infrastructure investment, and as we voted on it, and then yesterday had the historic day of watching our President sign it into law. Madam Speaker, it was 10 years ago that I first ran for public office. I ran for township commissioner, and what I said then was that I wanted to build a more buildable, walkable, commutable, bikeable infrastructure for my older-ring suburb of Philadelphia. Little did I know that I would then go on to serve as State representative for 6\1/2\ years. My proudest vote as a State representative was Act 89 of 2013, a bipartisan, multiyear investment in our infrastructure. My proudest vote. And look at us today. We now have the chance to make this much-needed investment in Pennsylvania and across the country in every district where dollars will be flowing to modernize our infrastructure, to make it greener. Here are just some of the estimates for what will be coming to Pennsylvania: $11.3 billion to upgrade roads and highways. We know that in my older-ring suburb our highways, our roads are in grave need of upgrading for safety and other purposes; $2.8 billion for public transportation. Again, in my suburbs, we rely upon public transportation, and we want it to be more reliable so that more people will be using it with ease to protect our climate and our streets; $1.4 billion in safe drinking water. Again, incredibly important across this country, whether from lead pipes, or from, as in my district and many others, the contamination of PFAS; $244 million investment in weatherization to our homes; $1.6 billion toward improving bridges. Pennsylvania sadly has a historic number of bridges in need of reconstruction or replacement; $100 million to expand broadband access; and $355 million to modernize airport infrastructure. There is so much we will be able to do with this bipartisan investment in our infrastructure. Know also that it is about growing jobs, good jobs, jobs of the future, and it is also anti-inflationary, which is something I know all of my constituents care about. I will end maybe on my grandchildren. I am so excited, and I will be telling them for years about the chance to work on the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the chance to vote for it, and the chance to stand alongside the President as he signed this 50-, 60-year investment in their futures. I hope they will be as proud as I am of the President and all of us for getting it done.

Ms. DEAN. Certainly.

Ms. DEAN. I certainly don't know what is in their heart or what is in their vote. But I will say that these were infrastructure investments that these very same Representatives fought for under the previous administration. They enthusiastically embraced week, after week, after week, after week as Infrastructure Week. I hope this is not the case, but sadly it seems as though the investments in their communities came down to a political choice because, as you have heard some people say--and they complain about this, but it is only testimony to the power of this bill--that this will actually perhaps give Democrats a win. We didn't do it for a win. We did it for a win for the American people, for our infrastructure, and for our future, but there is some awareness on the other side of the aisle that this is politically damaging to them. Sad to say. I do believe that it will be interesting to be at all the ribbon cuttings, and I hope in a bipartisan way all Members are at the ribbon cuttings because of the difference this will make, and it will be up to them to decide why they did vote ``no.''

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, our negotiations have been long, but today we are closer than ever to passing Build Back Better. We have heard enough about the process. Let's talk about the impact, the transformative investments we are making in our children, our seniors, and our planet. And let me say this loudly and clearly: It is paid for; paid for with the taxes ensuring that corporations and the mega-rich pay their fair share, and IRS investments closing the multi-trillion dollar tax gap. Paid-for, historic investments in our future: In Pennsylvania alone, more than 200,000 children will have access to high-quality pre-K, and more than 730,000 children will gain access to childcare. Childcare and extended child tax credits will ease the financial burdens that our parents face. They are not the only ones, 122,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians will have healthcare. Bold climate action will help our districts that have seen an increase in climate disasters. My Commonwealth is ready for both Build Back Better and the bipartisan infrastructure bill. The process will be forgotten, the investments will not.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Domestic violence diminishes us all, and we all have a role to play to prevent abuse, save lives, and protect victims, which is why I stand in strong support of my colleague and friend Congresswoman McBath's Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act. This thoughtful legislation will expand funding for lifesaving services, such as emergency shelter, a crisis hotline, counseling, and legal assistance. It is focused on protecting survivors and preventing domestic violence. The need for safe spaces is in desperate demand. This need has only increased with the pandemic. Abusers are now leveraging circumstances to exert new power and control tactics, like withholding information about COVID-19 and preventing access to medical care. Our work must match this uniquely challenging time, and I believe this legislation does just that. Recently, I visited Laurel House, a domestic violence nonprofit organization in my district, and I think of how this bill would support their mission. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative McBath. This legislation will save lives.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the underlying resolution. Mr. Speaker, I want to start by saying that this is not just about Mr. Bannon. This is about our rule of law, our democracy, and protecting it for future generations. On January 6, a mob, incited by the lies of a political leader, descended on the Capitol. Nooses, vandalism, death threats to elected officials, Americans remember the violence that took place here. Beltway chatter often focuses on the winners and losers of that day. But on that day, we all lost. Americans lost their lives, and we nearly lost our democracy. That is why we created a bipartisan January 6 commission. We know that unless we do our jobs, the ultimate losers will be future generations who will wonder what happened to our Nation. The commission's work is serious and has no time for the games of Mr. Bannon or anyone else who would disregard the rule of law. Our Constitution and our courts have made it clear that Congress has the power to investigate. This power is vital to the protection of our democracy, and it must be respected. I think a lot about our late, dear colleague, Elijah Cummings, and his words still sit with me. He said that when we are dancing with the angels, the question will be asked: What did we do to ensure we kept our democracy intact? I stand before you, Mr. Speaker, with that quote on my heart, thinking of my own four grandchildren and when they learn of January 6, they will see a time when America descended into violence, destruction, and desecration; when Americans attacked Americans and threatened our democracy. And what did I do? What did we all do to protect our democracy? So I lend my voice to hold Mr. Bannon in contempt and support the bipartisan select committee for their work in keeping our democracy and our future intact.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, our sacred right to vote is in jeopardy. Led by the divisive voice of a twice-impeached, failed, former President, 17 States across this Nation have enacted 28 laws to make it harder for Americans to vote. Tomorrow, the Senate has the opportunity to pass the Freedom to Vote Act. The pandemic has shown us we can adapt and modernize our elections to reflect the 21st century and our electorate through same-day registration, making election day a national holiday, transparency on dark money, and more. Legislators must be the voice of the people and give voice to the people, and our voices are strongest at the ballot box. That is why we must do all we can to ensure equal access for all Americans. I urge the Senators to vote ``yes'' on the Freedom to Vote Act. Our Republic can't afford anything less. We are voted for by the people and for the people, and we must protect the right to vote for the people.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, just 4 months ago, I rose to remember a Montgomery County favorite, Denise Burstein, and today, with a heavy heart, I remember her husband, my friend and community leader, Frank Burstein. Frank passed away last Saturday. Montgomery County will not be the same without his enthusiasm, his service, and his generosity. Frank embodied service. As a young man, he proudly served in the Army Medical Unit, and even in his career as an executive, he was a local political leader and advocate for foster children. Frank was known for his hospitality, a wonderful chef who regularly welcomed the community to his famous brunches. People would come from miles around for his signature lemon blueberry French toast, which he taught me to make. Frank and Denise's welcoming way was felt in enthusiasm and smiles. They were two halves of the same smile. My prayers are with his sons, Martin and Marshall, his daughter-in- law, Annie, his beloved grandson, Isaiah, and his entire family. May you and may we find comfort in knowing that Frank and Denise are together again. May their memory be a blessing.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment, which would require private student lenders to discharge private student loan debt for people who become totally or permanently disabled. This amendment was inspired by a constituent who came to our office in need. Like many young Americans, my constituent pursued an education and chose to use private loans to help fund her college costs. She was also fully prepared to repay her loans, but tragically she became permanently and totally disabled. Because of her permanent disability, her mother must now take care of her for life, and not only is the mother her caretaker, she is also the cosigner obligated to carry and pay for this debilitating debt. Though the student's particular lender allowed her debt to be discharged, her mother, who cosigned the loan, was not dismissed from that responsibility. Though this reality may be foreign to many of us, for those it does affect, it will change their lives forever. That is why this amendment would right a wrong and bring parity between protections for private student loan borrowers and Federal student loan borrowers. Currently, private student lenders are not required to discharge the obligation of a borrower who becomes permanently disabled, only in the case of death. However, for Federal student loans in the case of permanent disability or death, loans are discharged. In addition, Federal student loans do not require cosigners. Specifically, my amendment amends the Truth in Lending Act to require discharge of private student loans in the case of permanent or total disability of the borrower; require the discharge of cosigners in the case of the borrower's permanent or total disability; require private lenders to discharge a borrower's obligation when they are notified that the Federal Government has discharged the Federal student loans of the borrower. As we debate the National Defense Authorization Act, it is important to highlight that our servicemembers are disproportionately using private student loans. And these veterans who use private student loans disproportionately use them to attend for-profit universities or institutions. In some instances, veterans leave with nearly double the amount of debt compared to their counterparts who use Federal veterans' education benefits. Our veterans, our servicemembers, along with all of our constituents, deserve to be protected in the case of unexpected hardship. I am pleased that in August, the Biden administration announced it would automatically cancel Federal student loan debt through the Total and Permanent Disability Discharge program. The TPD Discharge program provides loan discharge for the borrower and the cosigner should the borrower become totally and permanently disabled. This is a first step in providing 323,000 Federal student loan borrowers with disabilities the relief they are entitled to under the law. It is our responsibility to codify and extend this same needed support to our private student loan borrowers and their families affected with these tragedies. I pray no one go through what my constituents have gone through. We must move this commonsense and important amendment forward, and I urge all members to support it. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for wanting to work with me on this. Certainly this is a serious problem, and it is a serious problem for my constituent, and I am sure constituents in any other district in our country. But there is a misstatement in the gentleman's words. It is voluntary right now on the part of the private lenders, and this bill would codify the requirement to ensure that disability discharge for private student loans is not a choice. Certainly, when you sign up for a loan, you don't think about planning for becoming totally disabled and unable to afford your own student loans. Unfortunately, as my constituent case shows, some private lenders do not voluntarily discharge for the borrower and the cosponsor in the case of permanent and total disability. I believe we have a duty to stand up for the most vulnerable among us. This bill would help accomplish that goal. I commend the lenders who do step up voluntarily, but we need to codify this discharge of liability in the case of total or permanent disability. I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, of course there is a clear nexus to our veterans and our servicemembers, and it would be marvelous if all private student loan lenders would voluntarily discharge in the case of permanent or total disability. It just simply isn't the case. We are trying to ensure parity, regardless of who the borrower owes. We don't believe this would be a difficulty for all of these lenders who you say are willing to do this. If the lenders honestly want to fight this so that they can take every last dollar of the individuals and their families despite their suffering, they can go to court, and they can ask the court for a remedy. I urge support, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, last week marked a year since our country lost a giant and a friend to all, John Lewis. Republicans and Democrats of both Chambers rightfully used our platforms to memorialize a man who gave so much, and as many say, he was the conscience of our caucus. Mr. Lewis nearly lost his life at the age of 25 to those on the other side of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in March of 1965 as he nonviolently protested voter suppression laws. And he dedicated the rest of his life to justice, equality, and protecting the right to vote. Mr. Speaker, 66 years later we are again on that bridge. Seventeen States have passed 28 laws to make it more difficult to exercise our constitutional right to vote. We must act. So I say to my colleagues that stand in the way of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, would you also have stood on the other side of that bridge? Mr. Lewis understood we could not wait for those on the other side of the bridge to join us. We must secure, protect, and expand the right to vote for all Americans to truly honor Mr. Lewis' life, legacy, and our democracy.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler for offering me this minute and a half, and I thank him for his leadership for bringing this bill to the floor. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the ALLIES Act. This bill will save lives and protect our allies. It will also honor our commitment to the region. Thousands of Afghans have served as interpreters, drivers, and guides to assist U.S. troops. Their service and commitment have been consistent over the 20 years that now marks the longest U.S. war in history. The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa, or SIVs, allows people who worked for or on behalf of the United States Government to seek lawful permanent residence in the United States. But as we prepare to remove our troops, the Taliban continues to target our friends. The ALLIES Act of 2021 provides for an additional 8,000 SIVs to accommodate everyone who currently could be an eligible candidate in the pipeline. We have an opportunity and a moral obligation to save the lives of those who served us. As we draw down our military presence in Afghanistan, many who served alongside our troops continue to face increased threats because of their service to us. We must do the right thing by our brave allies. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Crow for his service and his leadership on this bill, and I urge all of my colleagues to support the bill.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule. PFAS water contamination is personal for all of us. Nearly all of us have been contaminated without our consent, without our knowledge. We all have PFAS in our blood, the forever chemical. High levels of this toxin have dangerous and damaging health effects. The EPA's website describes the effects: ``low infant birth weights, effects on the immune system, cancer . . . and thyroid hormone disruption.'' And manufacturers knew. They knew the dangers of PFAS my entire life. It wasn't until the turn of this century and the heroic work of Attorney Rob Bilott that they were forced to admit what they knew. They knew that PFAS was toxic in the 1960s. They knew it was building up in our bodies, in our blood, by the 1970s. They knew it was contaminating our water by the 1980s. They knew that it was poisoning our own workers by the 1990s. But they hid the truth from their own workers, from their neighbors, from you and me. We have a responsibility to protect everyone from PFAS contamination and the PFAS Action Act is a step in the right direction in ensuring everyone has clean water. The PFAS Action Act would: require the EPA to establish a national drinking water standard; designate PFOA and PFOS chemicals as hazardous substances; require EPA to regulate PFAS discharge; and provide $200 million annually for wastewater treatment; place a moratorium on the introduction of new PFAS; and require comprehensive PFAS health testing. All of this would set a standard and provide protections. I am grateful to see a requirement for EPA to develop necessary rules for safe disposal of PFAS. That is included in this legislation. We cannot continue to allow manufacturers to recklessly poison our communities. As we move forward, remember, it is our responsibility as legislators to educate, litigate, legislate, and finally hold polluters accountable. I thank Representative Dingell for her tenacity in drafting and passing this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this rule and the underlying bill as well as the other two bills in the rule.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, on Monday, after a year of battling the coronavirus pandemic, my home Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ended its mask mandate. I am proud of Pennsylvania for exceeding President Biden's goal for vaccinations by the Fourth of July. With over 75 percent of adults with one dose and 60 percent with both doses, we are safely lifting our mask mandate. I salute my State's leadership in putting health and science first as we sought to get the virus under control. When this pandemic started, no one knew how long it would take to get past these precautions. At times, it was difficult to see any return to normalcy, but we got there together. I thank my constituents for their sacrifice. Pennsylvania families, teachers, students, workers, and businesses saved lives, jobs, and businesses. As we are on our way to beating this pandemic, I look forward to seeing their smiling faces again on Independence Day. Let's take lessons from this pandemic. American workers need higher wages. Healthcare is a right. School and childcare funding is vital. It is time to upgrade our infrastructure.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Madam Speaker, what are they afraid of? The truth? On January 6, I came to this Chamber to try to understand why some of my colleagues were engaged in a lie that the 2020 election was stolen from their candidate. I never expected to finish that day forever shaken and changed by what happened in this Chamber. Madam Speaker, I was up in the Gallery, right up here. I remember the terrifying banging on those doors as we were exited and wearing gas masks--my fear for my colleagues, the staff, the press, the custodial staff, the Capitol Police, and the anxiety that my family suffered with their mom inside as they watched an insurrection on television, wondering if we would make it out alive. To be clear, this was a domestic terrorist attack on everyone who works in this Capitol complex. It was an attack on democracy. It was an attack on the peaceful transfer of power. It was an attack on our Nation. We need a select subcommittee to understand what happened on January 6, where many of our lives were at risk. We need to know the facts and circumstances. We need to know the truth so that it never happens again.

Ms. DEAN

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 3385.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3385, the Honoring our Promises through Expedition for the Afghan SIVs Act--or the HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act--proposes a small, but impactful, change to expedite the issuance of special immigrant visas to those who served side by side with American troops in Afghanistan, and whose lives are at risk as a result. The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program allows individuals who worked for or on behalf of the United States Government or for the NATO International Security Assistance Force in support of the American mission to seek lawful permanent residence to the United States. To qualify, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria and pass rigorous background checks; a process that, on average, takes 3 years. Additionally, every applicant who is found to be eligible for a visa must complete a medical examination before they are approved to come to the United States. However, in the capital city of Kabul, there is only one clinic certified by the United States Government to provide these mandatory examinations. The already high demand for services was worsened by the deteriorating security conditions and a new outbreak of an intense third wave of COVID-19. It is now nearly impossible for applicants to schedule this mandatory life-changing appointment while in Afghanistan. The HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act would allow the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security to quickly respond to these emergency conditions in Afghanistan by authorizing a blanket waiver of the medical examination requirement for people who are otherwise eligible for special immigrant visas. Once safely in the United States and removed from the threat of violence, those eligible people must complete the required medical examination within 30 days. To ensure compliance, Afghan special immigrants would be admitted to the United States as lawful permanent residents on a conditional basis. Conditions would be removed only when the Secretary of Homeland Security confirms that the examination has been completed and the individual is not inadmissible to the United States on health-related grounds. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join Mr. Crow of Colorado, and I thank him for championing this issue and working across the aisle to build consensus and awareness for the importance of this legislation. I also thank Ranking Member Jordan for his collaboration and support in the drafting process. As we draw down our military presence in Afghanistan, many who served alongside our troops continue to face increasing threats because of their service to our country. We must do right by these people, and H.R. 3385 is an important first step. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crow).