Adriano Espaillat

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Beatty), the Buckeye State of Ohio.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I think it is undeniable that during these uncertain times, particularly when we witnessed the regrettable incident in Virginia, where staffers in one of our colleague's district offices were hurt, and given the tension in the world, in our communities, in our cities, and in our district offices, it requires greater investment in security for our constituents that visit on a regular basis our offices, for our staff who are on the front lines in what we do, and for ourselves. I think that, in many ways, we are wide open, and we require the kind of investment that we have not seen in this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), the distinguished ranking member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Morelle), the distinguished ranking member of the Committee on House Administration and a member of the Appropriations Committee.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Today I rise in opposition to H.R. 4364, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act of 2024. First, let me thank Mr. Amodei for his efforts and, of course, my Democratic staffers, Faye Cobb, Monica Garay, and Raquel Spencer, as well as our Republican staffers, Michelle Reinshuttle and Jacquelynn Ripke for their tireless contributions to this subcommittee. As the chairman indicated, the bill before us today includes $5.3 billion in discretionary appropriations to fund the offices of the House of Representatives and joint legislative branch items. It also has a decrease of 4.7 percent from the fiscal year 2023 enacted House level and a 2.4 percent decrease in total allocation including Senate items. This bill merely keeps the lights on, but it could and should have done so much better. Unfortunately, extreme MAGA culture war provisions have haunted all 12 of the House appropriations bills and, of course, legislative branch was not spared. This bill, too, contains provisions that harm diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and the LGBTQ+ community. Moreover, this bill does not allow legislative branch agencies to employ individuals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the DACA program. These are young kids who are capable and have contributed to this Nation. All they are missing is a piece of paper, but they are Americans in every sense of the word you can imagine. This bill eliminates funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion training or program implementation, including our very own House Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which Republicans have benefited from. All of us have benefited from the efforts of diversity and inclusion. We have more women in our staff. We have greater diversity, greater life experiences. I think that makes this House stronger. Yet, this bill eliminates funding for that. This House and the many agencies that make up the entire legislative branch of government should make every effort possible to be reflective and considerate of all the people that exist in our great Nation and the many districts that our Members represent. This bill does nothing to facilitate the use of funds for collective bargaining rights to congressional staffers. Our staffers should be able to do that. This bill removes a provision to eliminate or reduce plastic waste across the legislative branch of government, further contributing to the impacts of climate change. We are here at the center of government, and we should be fighting climate change, but we are not reducing the use of plastic. Mr. Speaker, after the attack on January 6, the attack on two congressional staffers in their Virginia district office, and numerous threats to our cybersecurity, I feel strongly that our staff deserves to have a safe place to work, and our visitors deserve to have an even safer place to visit and receive services. However, in my opinion, this bill misses opportunities to further invest in and enhance our physical and cybersecurity posture. Our men and women who work hard every day to secure this campus deserve to have the best equipment, tools, and state-of-the-art technology resources readily available to them. Securing this campus both physically and virtually has always been a priority of this subcommittee. Various requests from the Capitol Police and the legislative branch cybersecurity offices have not been met. We must work to protect the campus that supports the governance of our democracy. The legislative branch bill should never be a place for divisive politics. This bill should be used to ensure that Congress has all the tools it needs to legislate and support the constituents we serve. It should be used to ensure we have a successful democracy through effective and responsible governance. Folks on the other side of the aisle are obsessed with cutting Federal funding and eliminating programs that help to grow and diversify our country as well as welcome everybody to the table, a big tent approach to government. Mr. Speaker, when I took the role as the ranking member of this subcommittee, I was looking forward to working with my colleagues on creating a bipartisan bill. However, this bill does not represent a collaboration between two parties. Instead, it includes provisions that have no place within the legislative branch appropriations bill and are hurtful to many Americans, including many of the staff who support this great institution. Extreme rightwing politics that were so focused on silencing the voices of many in this country turned around and silenced themselves. They created a situation where no one had a voice, rendering at times this body inoperable for many weeks. Mr. Speaker, I don't agree with these divisive ideas and tactics. For these reasons, I cannot support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Ohio.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, this week, we have seen the events that have gripped this Nation, the potential for a shutdown, the squabble on the floor for leadership, extreme MAGA opinions trying to impose their points of view on the American people. This past year, we have also watched distinctly as climate change- related natural disasters have hit every region of this country. This last week, we saw images from New York City with subways flooding, streets flooding, backyards and front yards of houses flooding. The inability to sustain consistent and persistent rainfall crippled New York City. As we saw New York City underwater, just 2 months ago, wildfires consumed Maui. Mother Nature is talking to us. Mother Nature is never wrong. Madam Speaker, this year the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 within the appropriations process slashes the renewable energy and energy-efficient programs by 14 percent--get this--and instead funds the Department's fossil fuel energy at more than $850 million. In the middle of this climate crisis, we take money away from renewable energy and we empower fossil fuel energy. We put them on steroids. It also underfunds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who will be able to address the flood and storm damage protection and claws back $50 million that would have allowed communities like the one that I represent from becoming energy efficient. So right in the middle of global warming, right in the middle of these disasters that are hurting communities across the Nation, we see how funding is cut for renewable energy and for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer. The legislative branch bill, as part of the appropriations process, harms both those that work in the Capitol and those that secure it. It lacks funding to secure the Capitol campus and district offices. Not so long ago, we saw how some of our staff members in the Commonwealth of Virginia were attacked in their district offices where they worked. We know that security on the Capitol complex is important not just for Members, but for our staff, for visitors, for everyone who makes their way here, just as security is also important in our district offices. Not enough funding has been given to that area. Retention of U.S. Capitol police officers continues to be a major problem. After January 6, the Capitol Police is having a difficult time recruiting and retaining officers that will protect all of us. The legislative branch bill also eliminates diversity, equity, and inclusion training. This program has been important to ensure that the government continues to look more and more like the rest of the country. Inclusion means me being at this podium, Madam Speaker. Inclusion means you presiding over these proceedings. That is inclusion, to have a representative government of the people that make up our people. Yet, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was eliminated.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 5525, the so-called spending reduction and border security act. You want border security, Mr. Speaker, let's do comprehensive immigration reform. Let's do it the way Ronald Reagan did it back in the day: He looked at everybody, all the families, and allowed the men to work and contribute to our economy. This is a reprehensible and irascible spending bill that slashes critical resources from working-class families. House Republicans are defunding law enforcement. The so-called party of public safety is now defunding law enforcement. So if something is happening in your district or your neighborhood and you call the police and they are late, law enforcement should blame it on these cuts. The response time will be impacted dramatically. Social Security offices will be closing. Yes, I have seen the lines going around the block with seniors as early as 6 o'clock in the morning. Guess what? They will be closing. This bill is taking food out of children's mouths, and the mouths of families, impacting Title 1 schools with poverty levels--never seen before poverty levels, and Title 3 students, English language learners, and taking thousands upon thousands of teachers out of the classroom. Is this the way to avoid a shutdown? This is a way to hurt families--working-class families, middle-class families--that depend on these vital programs, Mr. Speaker, to survive and move forward. Nearly 150,000 teachers and service providers will be removed from the classroom serving low-income students and students with disabilities. In addition to that, approximately 275,000 kids will lose access to Head Start--Head Start, the only surviving program from the sixties that gives a head start to children will be cut.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, due to an unforeseen matter, I was not present for six votes yesterday evening. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 489, NAY on Roll Call No. 490, NAY on Roll Call No. 491, NAY on Roll Call No. 492, NAY on Roll Call No. 493, and NAY on Roll Call No, 494.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with an urgent call as we face the inaction of this House to address our budgeting needs and to potentially throw us into disarray through a government shutdown. I rise with an urgent call of action to address the influx of migrants, asylum seekers in New York City. Since the spring of 2022, New York City has welcomed over 110,000 migrants. It has opened 200 emergency shelters and has seen the influx of 20,000 children, 15,000 of which registered in the New York City Public School System last year, and the rest, 5,000, this year. This Friday, Mr. Speaker, I will be co-leading a New York delegation and other Members to visit New York City so they can see for themselves the challenges that are facing this city. The purpose of this trip is to show how New York City has addressed this crisis and the programs that they put in place to address the needs of these new arrivals. Many would like to say that this is unprecedented. Many would even resort to hateful language to say that this should not happen. The fact of the matter is that this has been around in America for a very long time. In fact, Mr. Speaker, in 1907, the busiest year ever for immigration in our country, Ellis Island saw 1.25 million immigrants processed. The busiest day was April 17 of that very same year, with a record of 11,747 immigrants processed relatively quickly, Mr. Speaker. They also faced great challenges. They also faced discrimination. There was a literacy test enacted so they would not come in. The Chinese Exclusion Act was put forward so that Chinese immigrants would not come in. There were patters of hateful language and discrimination all over America during that year, and yet only 2 percent of them were rejected. On that island called Ellis Island, which some call the island of tears, only 2 percent were sent back. Mr. Speaker, 1.2 million of them were let into New York City, and they rebuilt the city of New York. I propose to you that the immigrants that are coming to New York City will also rebuild this city, this great city of New York. After the COVID-19 pandemic, we need their energy. We need their hunger, their hunger to succeed. We need their innovativeness. That is exactly what America needs; not hateful language, not literacy acts, not complicated obstacles to prevent them from moving forward. Mr. Speaker, there are three basic solutions to this impasse. The first one is TPS for Venezuelans. They already have the temporary protective status. Let's just extend it until yesterday so they have the right to work; and everybody, including those across the aisle, understand that the work permit is the solution. Let them work so they are not a load on government. That is the first one. The second one is through the CBP One app, many of them have already applied as asylum seekers, but yet they have not applied for the work permit. Let's make sure they do that. The law allows that right now. A work permit is not statutory. It is regulatory. Finally, Mr. Speaker, in a supplemental, we must do much better for places like New York City, which have shouldered the burden of this crisis, a crisis that is embedded in the best chapter of our history, a crisis that will take us to a much better place.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the birthday of Jackie Rowe Adams. This week, our communities, northern Manhattan and Harlem, celebrate Jackie, who is a powerhouse in northern Manhattan and Harlem. Jackie is not only a union leader but Jackie is also a community advocate. After tragically losing two of her sons to gun violence, Jackie cofounded Harlem Mothers S.A.V.E., an organization dedicated to ending gun violence in our community, for which Jackie has worked tirelessly. She continues to be a force of change for our community, particularly advocating for young people. Let me tell you something, Mr. Speaker, her voice is the window to her soul. She has a tremendous soprano voice, and everybody enjoys her singing in the community. We wish Jackie a happy birthday, and we look forward to hearing her singing in the community.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I wear my mask in solidarity and support for the families, the children, the seniors being impacted by the Canadian wildfires. I rise today to call attention to the climate crisis, which we are all witnessing before our very own eyes. Air pollution is spiking across the country from wildfires that have been raging in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia. To be clear, Mr. Speaker, this is just the start of the Canadian wildfire season, and it is evident that due to the human and societal impacts on climate, there is an increase in wildfire season, length, frequency, and burn area. Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax. We are not only seeing the haze from these fires, we are also feeling it in our very own lungs. The environmental and public health impacts are very real, and we must do more to hold polluters accountable. Thirty-seven percent of the total area of forest burned in the western U.S. and Canada since 1986 can be linked to emissions released by the world's 88 biggest fossil fuel producers and cement manufacturers. Air pollution from wildfire smoke has become a significant health risk in the United States, and it is growing. Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax. In my city of New York, we are being severely impacted, and we are taking extreme precautions, especially for children, older adults, and asthmatics. Last night, the city's air quality index was 215, a score considered very unhealthy by the Environmental Protection Agency. This was deemed the second worst level of air pollution in the world. The situation is so grave that Mayor Eric Adams forced schools to cancel all outdoor activities today. Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax. Is this the future for our children? Let me remind you that millions of Americans die each year from air pollution-related health issues. In 2016, around 4.2 million premature deaths were associated with fine particulate matter, according to the World Health Organization. That is why I am insisting on passing my bill, the Green Climate Fund Authorization Act, which will authorize appropriations to the Green Climate Fund, ensuring that the U.S. is a leader in global solutions to combat climate change. Again, Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax. Moreover, we know where the money goes. It matters. Join me in this fight in cosponsoring the Green Climate Fund Reauthorization Act. Mr. Speaker, climate change is not a hoax.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, Republicans packed their expensive suits and dresses this morning, and they are leaving town. The American economy is being held hostage by Republicans as they try to push their harmful agenda to strip millions of dollars from Americans and the benefits they rely on. In my home State of New York, the default on America bill could strip 2.3 million people of health insurance. The default on America bill would also strip nutrition programs from 126,000 women, infants, and children in New York State. The GOP plan to impose work requirements for SNAP recipients would also burden those recipients with useless paperwork while doing absolutely nothing to lower reliance on safety net programs. Republicans are trying to strip benefits from the American people. They are trying to pull the wool over our eyes. This is the default on America act working against America.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, ``There is no fair in life and death. If it were, no good men would die young,'' said acclaimed author Mitch Albom. Eleven-year-old Alfa Barrie and his friend Garrett Warren, age 13, vanished on Friday, May 12, in my district. In what would become every parent's worst nightmare, their bodies were recovered from the Hudson and Harlem Rivers late last week and over this past weekend. Our community is devastated and heartbroken over this tragedy. We draw on our faith during times of tragedy such as this and seek comfort and peace. I extend my heartfelt condolences to Alfa's and Garrett's families, friends, and all those who knew them. Today, I stand on the House floor and ask for a full and thorough investigation of this horrible event.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the life and legacy of my dear friend and colleague, Harlem's own, New York State Senator Bill Perkins. Senator Perkins was not just an elected official but a giant and a community leader. I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Pamela Perkins, and the entire Perkins family during this time of grief. Senator Perkins never forgot where he came from. I had the honor of serving with him in the New York State Senate. I had the opportunity to watch him very closely firsthand. He was a force of nature and a champion for working people. He made a difference with his leadership using his powerful voice to bring about change and give back to the city that saw him grow up. Early in his life of public service, he became a champion in defense of the Exonerated 5 and took on Donald Trump. He never backed down from a righteous fight and was a fearless advocate for the vulnerable and underserved. He treated all with respect. May Bill's legacy inspire all of us as we move forward. Rest in power, Senator Perkins.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, New York City is again serving its traditional role as a beacon of light of opportunity for this Nation when it comes to the humane and just treatment of asylum seekers. Madam Speaker, that lady still stands at the harbor telling us: ``Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.'' That message is heard across the country. My family heard that message. Madam Speaker, I am sure that even across the country in California, your family heard this message, a tremendous message that is at the very center of America, at the heart of America. Last spring, in an act of political theater, Republican Governors began transporting asylum seekers to New York City and other cities across the country. In response, New Yorkers have welcomed them because this is America. They reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that the American Dream is available for all those who want to seek it and want to make their case before government. We should allow people to come and make their case before our government, and then we will determine whether or not they can remain in our country. Since last spring, my city has welcomed over 60,000 new New Yorkers who are seeking asylum in our country. I congratulate and thank Mayor Eric Adams for his remarkable leadership in taking on this great challenge. Over the past year, New York City has opened up eight new humanitarian response and relief centers and 122 emergency shelters. These shelters are currently providing over 37,000 asylum seekers with beds while their cases are being processed. However, New York City cannot do it alone. We must get the help of FEMA. This is why I and New York City's congressional delegation fought so hard to secure nearly $40 million for much-needed Federal funding. New York is a proud right-to-shelter city. It requires the city to provide asylum seekers with shelter, along with their families. This week, I led a letter by the congressional delegation of our city to FEMA to oversee the immediate release of an additional $360 million in shelter and services funds. We must get that aid. Madam Speaker, I will address another issue, the weaponization of immigration. Every day, right on this floor, we hear some of our colleagues weaponize immigration for political purposes, particularly during election season. We hear them weaponize this issue to try to score some cheap political points. They try to say that it is the moms who walked for thousands of miles with their children fleeing violence that are carrying fentanyl and other dangerous drugs when, in fact, all the evidence from law enforcement shows us that those drugs are being transported through the ports of entry. Madam Speaker, let's invest in making our ports of entry stronger and safer so that these dangerous drugs, weapons, and human trafficking do not continue to occur. This political theater of weaponizing immigration must stop. It divides the Nation, it makes us look foolish across the world, and it diminishes us as a beacon of hope and opportunity that has that lady still on the harbor. Madam Speaker, I encourage New York and other places in need of funding for asylum seekers to apply for a variety of benefits made available to them through the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Health and Human Services. Madam Speaker, this is a nation of immigrants. Don't allow immigration to be weaponized. Let's make sure we address the issue in a comprehensive way. Keep the faith.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, as vice chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I will highlight some of the ongoing work my colleagues and I from the CHC's Working Group on Migrant Families are doing. Last month, in anticipation of the elimination of title 42, a Trump- era measure, our working group sat to work and develop recommendations that were subsequently submitted to Secretary Mayorkas outlining the CHC's proposal to protect the values of our Nation. These include the rights of immigrants, asylum seekers, the rights of families to enter our country and make their case before government as they flee political violence, as they flee gang violence, as they flee food insecurity, as they flee environmental crises that forces, perhaps, a mom to take her three children and walk for thousands of miles to our border. Mr. Speaker, immigration is not a matter that is exclusive to the United States of America; it is a worldwide matter. Mothers and families across the planet are often forced because of violence, because of war, because of environmental crisis, and because of food insecurity to seek a better life for them and their children. We submitted a series of recommendations to Secretary Mayorkas, among them was not to resort back to the family detention model that was perpetrated during the Trump administration. This model we know, and experts feel, scars children, some of them for life. We saw the photos and the images of children incarcerated in cages during those days and those children, experts feel, could be scarred and traumatized for life. We asked Secretary Mayorkas not to resort back to the family detention model, and we were happy to see that he did not. Next, in our series of proposals, was to grant and continue to grant the parole program for Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, and Venezuelans. Mr. Speaker, there is a crisis of democracy in the Western Hemisphere and in this chapter of our history, it is not characterized by a left- leaning government crisis or a right-leaning government crisis. It is impacting countries on both ends. Therefore, it is prudent and appropriate to grant those that are fleeing political violence, whose lives are in danger, as we grant to Ukrainians that come to the border and other folks that are fleeing political violence and escaping murder, the opportunity to make their case for asylum. We were happy to see that that program will continue and provide a legal pathway for those seeking asylum. Though several elements of this parole program may not necessarily be the best, it is one that provides a legal path of access to the United States Government to make their case for asylum. I further applaud Mr. Mayorkas' efforts to implement a new program that basically applies to citizens of El Salvador, Colombia, Honduras, and Guatemala. It provides the ability to have family reunification. We often hear, time and time again, how family values are an integral part of America and that when families are together, our Nation is stronger; when families are divided, our Nation is weaker. So this particular program will assist, again, in--through legal pathways--providing family reunification efforts and the abilities for citizens of El Salvador, Colombia, Honduras, and Guatemala. These are both very good programs. Mr. Speaker, I think this is a step in the right direction.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, Harry Belafonte was a lifelong public servant and civil rights advocate who selflessly used the power of his voice to entertain us through songs, as well as to build awareness and bring attention to numerous social and political causes for vulnerable communities across the United States and the world. He was a hitmaker and changemaker. From New York City to Hollywood, he broke barriers. His efforts helped propel the civil rights movement and created an appetite for justice across the country. Harry Belafonte was an entertainer, an ambassador for humanity, and an advocate for goodwill across this planet. An alumnus of George Washington High School in my district, Mr. Belafonte was a Harlem treasure, an ambassador for humanity, and he will never be forgotten. Today, I honor his life, his legacy, and the contributions he made to the global community.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I stand here in opposition to the default on America act. House Republicans' debt default bill before us here today holds the economy hostage in exchange for slashing investment in American families to the tune of $4.5 trillion in cuts. The debt ceiling extension has happened 78 times, Mr. Speaker; 49 times under Republican administrations. This is not new. This is an artificial crisis, which can create catastrophic economic conditions across the world. Not just the United States economy, but the world economy can be affected. Police officers on the street will be cut through the Department of Justice. Veteran benefits will be cut. Working moms will no longer have daycare. That is what this accomplishes, this default on America act. I stand in opposition, Mr. Speaker, and I ask my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, I was not present to vote on rollcall No. 186 H. Res. 298, due to a personal medical appointment. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on rollcall No. 186.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, the contributions of women run deep throughout the history of America and the fabric of our entire Nation. One such woman was Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery and dedicated her life's mission to ensuring freedom for others. Building a network of abolitionists, Harriet Tubman organized safe houses throughout the Underground Railroad, including in my district, while making rescues and freeing others who were previously enslaved. As she put it, there are one of two things that she had a right to-- liberty or death. Madam Speaker, on International Women's Day and 2 days before Harriet Tubman Day, we remember her. When we look at young girls in Afghanistan and we look at young girls in other parts of the world like Iran seeking to have education, we remember Harriet Tubman. When we fight for equal pay for equal work, we remember Harriet Tubman. When we fight and advocate for a woman's right to choose, we remember Harriet Tubman. When we help those mothers that try to seek asylum at the border with their children, Madam Speaker, we remember Harriet Tubman. Let's remember Harriet Tubman today as we celebrate International Women's Day.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor women in America and abroad by commemorating Women's History Month. Today and always, we honor the brave, courageous, and fearless women who have made this Nation so great; to name a few: Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Delores Huerta, Celia Cruz, the hidden figures such as Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson, and most recently, Madam Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who was the first woman to serve as Speaker of this House. From the women in leadership roles on my staff who help respond every single day to the needs of my constituents, to the women who tirelessly uplift our families and our communities, we cannot imagine a world without the leadership of women. It fills me with great pride to represent a district that is over 52 percent female. Women get things done--period, and they do it better than us men. Happy Women's History Month, Madam Speaker.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, last Thursday America's outstanding debt hit its limit. As a result, Treasury Secretary Yellen has warned leadership of the irreparable harm that will come to the U.S. economy if the debt ceiling is not addressed. To avoid defaulting on our loans, the Secretary has been forced to slow investments into the retirement of Federal employees and health benefits of postal workers. Madam Speaker, let me remind you that this has been dealt with in the past. Congress has dealt with the debt ceiling 78 times, 49 times in Republican administrations, and 29 times in Democratic administrations. If it is not dealt with now, the penalties will not stop at the actions that the Secretary was forced to take. For 66 million Americans that receive Social Security checks every month and the more than 63 million Americans that rely on Medicare for care, their benefits will be cut. Interest rates will increase, affecting car loans, credit cards, home mortgages, and small business investments. Tax refunds will be delayed, and above all, we will face a looming recession that will devastate our economy and result in skyrocketing unemployment and homelessness. Let's be clear, raising the debt ceiling is not giving a green light on wild, runaway spending. It is simply ensuring that we can pay for the obligations that we have already made. Instead of working to resolve this issue, Republicans continue to hold our economy hostage. To threaten defaulting on our debt to secure service cuts is dangerous and shows little regard for the American people. We have seen how this plays out--we were there in 2011 when Republicans tried to pull this same stunt. The delay in negotiations resulted in the Federal Government's first ever downgrade in its credit rating. The Dow Jones fell nearly 2,000 points, and it is estimated that it raised borrowing costs for the government by $1.3 billion. I want my fellow Americans to remember this: The Republicans are gambling on your money, on your benefits, and on your livelihood. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to act responsibly, swiftly, and without unnecessary delays or attempts to score political points. Our Nation's financial stability and our constituents depend on it.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 26. H.R. 26 is presented within the context of what happened last year when the Supreme Court stripped millions of women in our country of their status and free right for equal access to reproductive freedom. As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to correct this wrong and bring back reproductive freedom for women. This bill is not about the safety of children. This is more of the same. This is about policing the bodies of women. A bunch of middle-aged guys in Brooks Brothers' suits stand here today and try to tell women what to do with their bodies. That is what this is about. This is not about the safety of children. That is already illegal. Madam Speaker, I stand here to oppose H.R. 26. There are 64 million women across America of reproductive age. Many of them live in States that are beating up on their rights to reproductive freedom. Madam Speaker, I stand here in opposition to H.R. 26 and ask my colleagues also to vote against it.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor the life and legacy of the legendary Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts III. As the pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church for 50 years, Reverend Butts understood his role as a leader went beyond the faith community. Witnessing the racial strife of the late 1960s, Reverend Butts became an ardent protector of Harlem, particularly the Black community, and often pushed for projects and policies that would increase access to dire needs like housing and education. Reverend Butts led projects that included raising and investing $1 billion in housing and commercial development in Harlem through the Abyssinian Development Corporation and creating the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change. Reverend Butts preached a message of faith and education, and he motivated each of us through his teachings to be an active and exemplary member of Harlem, uplifting communities while giving back through service, engagement, and social reform. A dear friend and icon of Harlem, may he rest in peace, and may his legacy be cherished and never forgotten. Keep the faith.

Mr. ESPAILLAT

Mr. ESPAILLAT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to continue to raise awareness to the destruction that Hurricane Fiona has brought about to the Caribbean--namely, to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Let me start, Mr. Speaker, by saying that yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Maria, a natural disaster that left 3.5 million Americans without power and killed over 3,000 lives. While hurricanes in the islands are not new, Hurricane Maria exposed the vulnerability of Puerto Rico, and 5 years later, uncertainty remains in the wake of Hurricane Fiona, which occurred this past weekend. There was a 100 percent blackout on the island when the hurricane landed. As of 10 a.m. yesterday, 73 percent of the island had no power and 60 percent of the island had no water. I commend the Biden administration for its swift actions to declare a state of emergency for the region, and I am hopeful that they will approve Governor Pierluisi's request for a major disaster declaration soon, which will follow additional lifesaving resources for Puerto Rico. For this reason, I join Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Velazquez in speaking with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, urging the administration to reimburse 100 percent of the costs, allow document flexibility for accessing aid, and advance funding to Puerto Rico in this critical moment. We must do all it takes to ensure relief assistance to help residents recover. We cannot turn our backs on our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico. Yesterday, I held a strategy planning call with leaders from New York, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and emergency services organizations in response to Hurricane Fiona. We have witnessed catastrophic devastation across Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and it will require a multilevel government approach to ensure vital resources to the region in a timely manner. As of today, more than 1 million people in the Dominican Republic are without access to utilities and shelter. At least 1 million people in the Dominican Republic have no access to running water. More than 700,000 homes and businesses have been left in the dark as they suffered loss of power. Additionally, at least 3,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, and four bridges collapsed. The situation is dire. We must do all we can to help the people of the Dominican Republic during this moment of crisis. For this reason, I am urging the United States Agency For International Development to deploy a Disaster Assistance Response Team and coordinate with other U.S. Government agencies and partners to advance relief efforts. The Federal response must be swift, robust, and continue for as long as is needed. The impact of this devastating natural disaster hits close to home, as a multitude of my district--we have many folks in Washington Heights, in the Bronx, in El Barrio, and Harlem--have family members in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic who are in need of supplies and other disaster relief. Mr. Speaker, my heart is with the people of the Caribbean, and we will continue to monitor this situation closely.