Maxine Dexter

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to say as clearly as I possibly can: Politicians have no role in the medical exam rooms. As a physician who spent 20 years caring for patients, I know responsible care requires building trust and understanding between a patient, their parent, and their physician. I never consulted a politician, and no doctor ever should. At a time when our country is facing a critical physician shortage, Republicans are threatening them with going to prison simply for providing evidence-based care. This legislation fundamentally breaks a critical trust between patients, their parents, and their physicians, pulling them into a dangerous political crusade that targets our vulnerable transgender youth. I offered two amendments: One to ensure no doctor can be imprisoned for providing evidence-based care and one to provide parents with protection when supporting their children's health. Republicans refused a vote on both. We should be empowering doctors to take care of their patients, not locking them up. I will be relentless to keep politicians out of the exam room.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for your leadership. I rise today in defense of the people who make our government work, our Federal workers. They are scientists, nurses, engineers, and caseworkers, people who have dedicated their lives to public service. Unfortunately, these workers have found themselves under attack once again, as efforts to strip them of their collective bargaining rights continue. This is not just about national security. It is about ensuring these workers have a voice in their workplaces and the ability to negotiate for fair wages, decent working conditions, and dignity. As a former union member, I understand the critical importance of standing together for workers' rights. I know how unions can be a powerful force for change, ensuring working families have a fair shot at the American Dream. That is why the Protect America's Workforce Act is so vital. It is time for Congress to come together in a bipartisan way to pass this legislation that will protect Federal workers from attacks that threaten their livelihoods and their families. Federal workers are the backbone of our Nation. From FEMA teams helping wildfire survivors to VA staff caring for our veterans to Social Security workers making sure seniors can live with dignity, these are the people who serve us every day. They are not faceless government employees. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our families. These attacks on their rights are not abstract. They are real, and they are personal. Over the past few months, I have heard from many Federal workers in Oregon who have faced illegal firings, threats, and mistreatment. They have shared how these actions are creating fear and instability in their lives and communities. One Federal worker, a disabled combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was recently fired from his job at the USDA. He summed it up perfectly when he said: ``This is not the America I swore an oath to protect.'' That is the sentiment I know many of us in this Chamber share. Federal workers, like that veteran, swore an oath to protect this country. Their dedication and service have been unwavering. We owe them the same commitment in return. I am grateful for the way we have come together across party lines to ensure the rights of working people and protect those who serve our Nation. I stand strong with our Federal workers and with all working families across Oregon. I commend my colleagues for coming together to fight for what is right. I am eager to continue this work alongside all of you to prioritize the needs of working families. Mr. Speaker, it is time we act. It is time we pass the Protect America's Workforce Act because our workers cannot wait. Congress must honor their service and ensure their rights are enshrined today.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, vaccines are one of mankind's greatest inventions. In the last 50 years, the World Health Organization's global vaccine efforts have saved 154 million lives. Every single person alive today owes something to that progress. Yet, last week RFK, Jr. and his panel of antiscience, cherry-picked cronies recommended ending the decades-long practice of immediately vaccinating all newborns against Hepatitis B. This will lead to more disease, cancer, and preventable deaths. It will increase healthcare costs. I am calling on acting CDC Director O'Neill to reject this recommendation and protect our children. I continue to call on RFK, Jr. to resign. His time at HHS has been an embarrassment and has caused deep harm to our country. To lead our Nation's health system, you must rely on facts and data, not conspiracy and ego. I will continue to stand with the Democratic Doctors Caucus fighting against RFK, Jr.'s rejection of science and data.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a remarkable milestone in American journalism: the 175th anniversary of The Oregonian, the oldest continuously published newspaper on the West Coast. Since 1850, The Oregonian has been a vital thread in the fabric of Oregon's civic life, serving as a trusted source of information, accountability, and community connection. Over its long history, the paper has earned eight Pulitzer Prizes, beginning with its first in 1937. That includes the distinguished 2001 Pulitzer for Public Service, awarded for its ``detailed and unflinching'' reporting on abuses within the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. This is a newsroom with deep roots and a wide reach. In 1922, The Oregonian launched Portland's first commercial radio station, what would eventually become KGW-TV, ushering in a new era of local broadcast journalism. As a former student journalist, I know how powerful local reporting is. It informs. It connects. It holds the powerful accountable. And at a time when local journalism is under threat across this country, The Oregonian reminds us why it matters. I thank the journalists, editors, photographers, and staff--past and present--for their service to our state and democracy. I congratulate the Oregonian on 175 years, and here's to many more.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Ramirez), for her incredible leadership and holding us together today. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to make one thing clear: Trump's cruel immigration agenda is not about public safety. It is about intimidation and cruelty. The people of Oregon are living with the consequences of that every single day. A man recovering from surgery was violently pulled from his car and left in excruciating pain. A pregnant mother was taken, separated from her 2-year-old child, and denied comprehensive prenatal care while in custody. Another mother in my district, along with her four U.S.- citizen children, were detained for weeks without access to counsel. They are parents doing school drop-offs, workers heading to their jobs, and longtime neighbors who strengthen our communities. Trump promises safety, but he delivers chaos. Cruelty is not law enforcement. It is intimidation, and the harm goes beyond our immigrant families. In Portland, an elementary school had to relocate students because chemical agents deployed by Federal immigration officials drifted onto their campus. Low-income seniors were told to shut off their air conditioning in the middle of summer because those chemicals were entering their buildings' ventilation systems. When Portlanders have peacefully stood against these abuses, they have been met with pepper balls, tear gas, and masked agents using violent force. Once again, nothing about this agenda is in the pursuit of public safety. It is Federal power turned against the people who it is meant to serve. Congress must reject cruelty as a tool of policy and restore humanity, transparency, and accountability. That is why I introduced the Restoring Access to Detainees Act with Senator Murphy. Every family should know where their loved one is being held. Every detainee must have easy, free access to call legal counsel. I also authored the CLEAR ID Act with Representative Crockett to ensure that our community members are not approached or detained by unidentified Federal agents. Without identification, there is no accountability. That is how democracies erode, and we will not allow it. Trump wants America to believe that his cruelty makes us safer. It does not. When communities live in fear, they cannot trust law enforcement. When families are torn apart, our Nation grows weaker. Real safety comes from stability, trust, and community, not fear and force.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share how my office has been hard at work for the people of Oregon's Third Congressional District. Since coming to Congress, our office has helped constituents recover more than one-half million dollars owed to them by the Federal Government through our casework services. That is one-half million dollars returned to veterans waiting on care, to families caught in bureaucratic limbo, and to seniors who depend on their Social Security checks to live with dignity. If my constituents need help navigating a Federal agency, my team is here for them. Visit dexter.house.gov or call 503-231-2300. I certainly cannot reverse every agency decision, but I can ask questions, and I can press for answers and work to move stalled cases forward. We do that every day for veterans seeking care, for seniors needing benefits, for families waiting on tax refunds, and for neighbors who simply need someone in their corner. That is what representation looks like.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend, I visited the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum with my daughter. I had been before, but the timing of this visit was very intentional. I went to reflect on the horrific history of dehumanization and ethnic cleansing that ultimately led the world to create a new term to describe such an unfathomable evil. That word is ``genocide.'' During the Holocaust, 6 million Jewish people, 60 percent of those present in Europe, were brutally targeted, dehumanized, and systematically murdered. It is a crime that people, communities, and nations were aware of yet did little to nothing to stop the atrocities until it was far too late. After the Holocaust, the international community made a commitment that such evil can never happen again to any people anywhere. ``Never again,'' they said. That is why I recently signed on to a resolution recognizing Israel's actions in Gaza led by the Netanyahu government as a genocide. I joined this resolution with a heavy heart. I understand the pain and the history of the word, and I signed on with the utmost respect for the Jewish people, especially those in my community who may feel abandoned or deeply harmed by my action. I will also be crystal clear that my criticizing the policies and actions of the Netanyahu government does not detract from my steadfast opposition to anti-Semitism and my persistent support for our Jewish neighbors. Many in this body have been reticent to call out the mass suffering, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes taking place in Gaza. I will not willingly continue to be part of that complicity. As a United States Representative, my job is to stand up against the power and our resources of this country being used in such ways. I am a physician. I am a mother. I believe in the sanctity, the universal worth, of human life. That belief does not change based on who you are or where you live. Each of our lives has innate, incalculable value. Our shared humanity must be recognized and preserved, or we run the risk of rationalizing and accepting acts of cruelty. This principle, that we share an accountability to stand up against dehumanization, cruelty, and marginalization across our communities, should be universal, but it is not. It is my duty as an elected leader in the most powerful country on Earth to stand up for those most marginalized if I stand for anything at all. It is foundational to how I chose to represent my community and how I will continue to represent my community in Congress. History has and will continue to judge this body, not just for what it did but for what it failed to do. Our children are watching. As parents, we know this to be true. As elected leaders, we cannot look away as they look on. We have an implicit accountability to the children of this Nation, to show them with our actions that we hold ourselves to a standard worthy of their respect. I want my children to live in a country where our leaders can be relied upon to lead with courage, empathy, and moral clarity. I urge every Oregonian watching to hold me accountable in a shared, unshakable belief in the sanctity of human life. We are our brother's keeper. I will do all I can to protect and defend each person's right to freedom, safety, and self-determination.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I recently held the first meeting of my Youth Advisory Council, a group of two dozen high school students from my district who will help guide my work here in Congress. These students spoke boldly about their fears and hopes for the future, and they made one thing clear: They are done waiting for change. I don't blame them. Our country's policy failures have grounded our kids in uncertainty. Many feel like the American Dream is out of reach. That is personal for me. My trajectory has been an American Dream: the first in my family to graduate from college, then become a physician, a U.S. Congresswoman, and give my children privilege and opportunity that I never knew. I didn't do it alone. Strong public schools, a union job, affordable higher education, and affordable rent were all critical. Today's young people deserve the same opportunities that I had. That is why I created the Youth Advisory Council. That is why I will continue to go to them to help us shape our policies of the future. What I say to them and all youth in my district: Demand a seat today. We need to support their ideas and their dreams.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill. As a physician who spent 20 years saving lives, I did not come to Congress to let healthcare be decimated by Congress. I came to fight for my constituents who deserve to be able to see a doctor they trust, afford their medication, and keep their families healthy. If House Republicans let the ACA tax credits expire, they are complicit in forcing Oregonians to make impossible choices, like whether to keep their insurance or put food on the table. As a physician, I know what comes next. People go without. They go uninsured, they delay care, and they skip refills. They get sicker, and sometimes they end up in medical debt that is devastating. The cost of living is already too damn high. Republicans are committed to cutting Americans' care. They patently rejected amendments to protect Americans, ignoring millions of American families who are desperate for relief. I will be an absolute ``no'' on the rule and the underlying bill, and I refuse to give up on ensuring affordable healthcare for all.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an extraordinary young leader from Oregon's 3rd Congressional District, Samruddha Preuitt, a graduate of David Douglas High School in Portland. Samruddha was recently named a 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholar--one of just 161 students nationwide to earn this prestigious honor. Since 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has celebrated the academic excellence, leadership, and dedication of our Nation's most distinguished high school seniors. This honor is reserved for students who not only achieve top scores on college entrance exams but also demonstrate outstanding scholarship, character, and service. Samruddha embodies all of these qualities. He now studies data science and engineering at the University of Connecticut, drawn by its strong commitment to undergraduate research. As someone who engaged in undergraduate research myself, I know how transformative those experiences can be--and how they help prepare the next generation of leaders in science, technology, and public service. This achievement reflects not only Samruddha's individual brilliance and perseverance, but also the strength of our public schools, our educators, and a community that values opportunity and hard work. I congratulate him on this remarkable achievement, and I wish him continued success as he pursues his academic and professional journey.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share some good news and a step forward in protecting those who protect us. For generations, wildland firefighters have battled infernos with little more than a bandana between them and the clouds of toxic smoke. As the only pulmonologist serving in the United States Congress, I know just how dangerous that is. Exposure to wildfire smoke isn't just uncomfortable. It leads to heart and lung disease. It causes cancer. It shortens lives. That is why, during a recent House Natural Resources Committee hearing, I pressed the U.S. Forest Service chief to do more to protect our firefighters. Within hours, the Forest Service made clear that masks would be made available to wildland firefighters. This is welcomed news, but we cannot let up now. I look forward to my briefing with Forest Service Chief Schultz to further these protections for our firefighters. The right to breathe clean, safe air, whether you are battling a megafire or walking your child to school, is fundamental. It is time for every Member of this body to recommit to that goal and take action to make it real.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their words of support today for the FAST VETS Act. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong support of the FAST VETS Act, Focused Assistance and Skills Training for Veterans' Employment and Transition Success, or FAST VETS Act. I am grateful to Representatives Messmer, McGarvey, and Van Orden for joining me in this bipartisan effort to better serve our Nation's veterans. Like many physicians, I trained at the VA where the sign on the door said: The price of freedom is visible here. Our veterans gave everything for this country. Our promise in return is that they will not just get by in civilian life, they will thrive. Congress must ensure employment readiness programs truly work for veterans, and that is exactly what the FAST VETS Act does. I am heartened that my first bill to come to the floor of the House advances our commitment to those who served. The FAST VETS Act is about delivering on our promise to those who have served. Veterans who live with service-connected disabilities deserve every opportunity to succeed in civilian life. That includes access to the Veterans Readiness and Employment, VR&E, program, which provides job training, education, employment accommodations, and the resources to build a meaningful career. However, too often, that support comes too late. In Portland, it currently takes more than 65 days for a veteran to be connected with a vocational rehabilitation counselor. That is at least 2 months of missed income, missed classes, and missed opportunity. That is unacceptable. The FAST VETS Act is a critical first step to addressing the backlog. It establishes clearer standards and prioritizes outcome-focused planning to support more veterans successfully and efficiently moving through the program and into the workforce. Ensuring every veteran gets the support they deserve helps prevent housing instability, reduces food insecurity, and strengthens mental health. We owe it to them to act with urgency and purpose. I am committed to continuing this work until every veteran has a clear, supported path to meaningful and gainful employment. The FAST VETS Act moves us closer to that goal, and I am proud to have led this effort. Madam Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today not just as a Member of Congress but as a proud Oregonian. Donald Trump is once again threatening to deploy troops against American civilians. We have already seen him abuse Federal power in cities like D.C. and L.A., and now he is targeting Portland. Let me be clear: Donald Trump is punishing cities like Portland simply for standing against his authoritative power. This isn't about safety. It is political retribution, plain and simple. Portland doesn't need his help. We are resilient, creative, and strong. To my fellow Oregonians: I am standing with Governor Kotek, Attorney General Dan Rayfield, our delegation, and local leaders to defend our communities and our rights. I will use every tool available-- legislation, litigation, and public pressure--to stop this dangerous overreach. We will not be bullied. We will not be silenced, and we will not back down. In Oregon, we fly with our own wings. We rise, we resist, and we stand together, undaunted and unafraid.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to this cruel and callous amendment. Mr. Chair, there are 20 days until the government shuts down. There are 8 legislative days. What are Republicans focused on? They are focused on flags, Pride flags. Republicans are spending valuable floor time, time that could be used by the government to lower costs for working families.

Ms. DEXTER. I am not waving it, Mr. Chair. We are--

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Chair, we are wasting valuable time trying to ban the display of Pride flags in any workplace or common area at the Department of Defense. This is time that could be used to fund the government or lower costs for working families. This obsession with attacking, dehumanizing, and villainizing our LGBTQIA+ community is as sick as it is a waste of time. Trump is using the same tired playbook authoritarian regimes have used throughout history. He is dehumanizing our most vulnerable to divide us and distract us from the fact of his failure to meaningfully improve the lives of the people he was elected to serve. Mr. Chair, we see this for what it is, and we refuse to let them win. We will not erase the LGBTQIA+ community.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered to be the first sponsor of H.R. 1510, the Due Process Continuity of Care Act, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sylvester Turner of Texas, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Colorado for his advocacy against this Congressional Review Act resolution. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to these dangerous and unprecedented resolutions. A resource management plan is not some obscure rule. It is the playbook for how we manage America's public lands: balancing energy, grazing, and recreation with protecting clean water, wildlife, and the long-term health of the land. The three plans under attack today took years to develop. They reflect extensive Tribal consultation, public input, and the expertise of career scientists. As the gentleman just said, these resolutions don't just undo those protections. Under the Congressional Review Act, once a plan is overturned, the Bureau of Land Management is banned from writing a new one that is even remotely similar. In other words, the agency's hands are tied and not just today but for years to come. That is unprecedented. If we go down this road, we will politicize the very foundation of how we steward America's public lands. We will silence communities, ignore science, and block future administrations from protecting our climate and our health. Mr. Speaker, public lands belong to all of us. They are a shared inheritance and our shared responsibility. I urge my colleagues to stand up for our public lands and vote ``no.''

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member for her time. Mr. Chair, data centers are sucking up our most precious resource: water. Larger data centers can each drink up to 5 million gallons per day or about 1.8 billion gallons annually, usage equivalent to a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people. At a time when the climate crisis is driving water scarcity even in places not used to shortages, we cannot afford to ignore this grave threat. As the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, I am not ignoring this threat. Today, I am grateful for the inclusion of my amendment in the en bloc that gives the Federal Government the tools it needs to understand and address how new technological demands are straining our communities' water. It is a simple, commonsense step, and in the face of an otherwise catastrophic bill that slashes clean energy incentives and raises prices, I am grateful to find consensus around safeguarding water for our communities. This amendment is one small step in the right direction. I will not stop fighting to protect water, to protect our children's future, and to protect our planet. Mr. Chair, I urge the adoption of this amendment en bloc.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, back-to-school season should be a time of excitement, a time when families pick out backpacks, meet teachers, and look ahead to a year of learning and growth. However, for the Merlos family, a Portland family, homeowners, businessowners, and vital members of our community, this school year begins in fear and heartbreak. Jackie Merlos and her four U.S. citizen children were detained by Customs and Border Protection and held for 2 weeks in a windowless cell without access to legal counsel. After public outcry and a temporary restraining order from a judge, these U.S. citizen children were released from detention, but now they have been separated from their parents who remain in ICE custody. Let's be clear. This cruelty is not accidental. It is family separation by another name, and it is doing nothing to make our communities safer. As a mother, a physician, and a lawmaker, I will not stay silent. We need an immigration system rooted in dignity and justice, not fear.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Diane Lund-Muzikant--a fearless journalist, a tenacious truth-teller, and the founder of The Lund Report, Oregon's pioneering nonprofit dedicated to health care reporting. Diane passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the age of 86, leaving behind an indelible mark on Oregon's media and public health landscape. Before I was elected to serve in this body, I spent more than two decades as a physician. I saw firsthand how opaque, inequitable, and profit-driven our health care system can be, and I also saw the vital role of journalists who were willing to peel back the curtain. Diane was one of those few. She understood that behind every headline about health care policy are real people--patients, families, and communities--impacted by decisions made in boardrooms and back rooms. She made it her mission to hold those in power accountable. Diane began her reporting career covering local government and community issues before turning her focus to health care in the 1980's. Her work with the Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland helped illuminate the growing dysfunction in our health care system, a story too often ignored or misunderstood by the broader media. She went on to found the Oregon Health Forum to convene critical dialogue around health policy, and then, at age 70, launched The Lund Report, a nonprofit news outlet that quickly became the gold standard for health care journalism in Oregon and across the Pacific Northwest. Relentless in her pursuit of truth, Diane asked hard questions, chased hard facts, and never shied away from hard truths. She built a legacy that will long outlive her. Diane Lund-Muzikant embodied the best of what journalism can be: independent, courageous, and grounded in service to the public good. Her work strengthened Oregon's health care system and made our communities more informed, more compassionate, and more just. As we continue to witness the erosion of local news and independent media, Diane's example reminds us why supporting journalists--and especially those committed to covering complex systems like health care--is essential to our democracy. We owe her our gratitude. May her memory be a blessing, and may her legacy continue to inspire the next generation of truth-tellers.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a mother, a physician, and a Member of Congress horrified by the ongoing massacre in Gaza. This is not a humanitarian crisis in abstract. It is the result of choices, choices leading to preventable famine. While bombs are leveling entire cities, the only so-called aid group allowed in, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, is annihilating the very principles of neutrality and humanitarian relief. Now, we are hearing reports that aid will be contingent on a cease- fire. Let me be clear: That is morally bankrupt. You do not negotiate over food. You do not bargain with medicine. You do not turn aid sites into deathtraps. Palestinians in Gaza deserve safety, dignity, and the right to self- determination, not starvation. Oregonians have been clear: The United States has a moral obligation to use its power to end this tragedy. A critical step is demanding the U.N. Relief and Works Agency is immediately reinstated in Gaza for large-scale aid delivery.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to declare that climate crisis is a public health emergency, and the Federal Government must treat it as such. In the last decade, more than half of the 120 public health emergency declarations issued by the Department of Health and Human Services were a result of climate-related events: extreme heat, wildfire smoke, hurricanes, floods, and the spread of disease. Last week, I introduced the Climate Health Emergency Act to address this reality head-on. It directs the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to declare the climate crisis a public health emergency. This declaration will unlock emergency powers and coordination to allow an effective response to the rapidly escalating public health threat posed by climate change. Enabling interagency coordination, this bill will break down silos, maximizing our ability to effectively and efficiently respond. As a lung and critical care physician, I have seen the direct harm climate change has on our patients: organs shutting down from heat exposure and lungs failing from smoke inhalation. I will not stand by silently as our government continues to fail to meet this crisis with the urgency it so demands. Madam Speaker, I urge your support. Our children deserve a healthy future. Our job is to fight for it.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as someone who cherishes both the breathtaking beauty of our national parks and the fundamental right to clean air. When one asks what sets the United States apart, our national parks top the list, yet, increasingly, so does our dirty and polluted air. That should alarm us all. The Washington Post recently reported on what too many of us already know: Air pollution and climate change are choking even the most treasured corners of our country. Wildfire smoke now blankets our parks each summer. Haze clouds once- clear views. The places we go to breathe deep and reconnect with nature are being smothered by our inaction. At Look Rock in the Great Smoky Mountains, I saw how long-term air quality monitoring helps us track these threats, but data alone isn't enough. We must have the courage to act. As a physician and mother, I know what is at stake. Every child deserves to explore our parks without wheezing from smoke or smog. Clean air and healthy parks go hand in hand, and they are worth fighting for.

Ms. DEXTER

Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, my flight was delayed in getting to D.C. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 191, H.R. 1709; YEA on Roll Call No. 192, H.R. 1770; and YEA on Roll Call No. 193, S. 1596. personal explanation