Lois Frankel

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to talk about the Republican's sick plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with TrumpCare, where the wealthy will get huge tax cuts and the rest of America will pay more for less. Twenty-four million will be losing their doctors, their nurses, and their medicine, and my constituents are frightened. Just ask Amy Bernard, whose mom, Francine, like 70 percent of Americans living in nursing homes, pays for it with Medicaid. Francine was a teacher. She planned for her retirement. She had savings, Social Security, and a pension. Then she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and she spent all her savings on in-home care. And then one day after a near-fatal fall, her family realized she needed around-the- clock care. TrumpCare means tax cuts for the very rich, less for the rest of Americans, gutting Medicaid, and sending folks like Francine to the curb.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Asian Trade, Food Fair, and Cultural Show that will take place this weekend in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Asian Fair has brought our community together to celebrate Asian culture for 24 years now, and I look forward to seeing what this year has in store. The Bangladesh Association of Florida organizes this annual event to celebrate the contributions of the Asian community in America. This year, 48 countries will be represented through live music, dance performances, and authentic cooking demonstrations. I'd like to recognize the Bangladesh Association of Florida for their hard work on this event and for their dedication to promoting cultural diversity in our community.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Marjorie J. McConnell of Boca Raton, Florida who turns 100 years old today. Marjorie J. McConnell was born just outside of St. Louis, Missouri on March 10, 1917 to Ethel Franklin and Benjamin Hughes Johnson. She was interested in art from an early age, and she obtained degrees in Art and Art Education at Washington University in St. Louis and later at Columbia Teacher's College in New York. She dedicated herself to her students for over three decades in her career as an art teacher, which took her to Ossining, New York and Plainfield, New Jersey. Together with her husband, the late Robert K. McConnell, Jr., she raised a son and continued her creative pursuits through weaving, ceramics, and painting. Her work received recognition at art shows from New Jersey to Ohio. Marjorie has always been a staunch supporter of environmental initiatives and progressive causes and continues to create art in Boca Raton, Florida, where she resides today.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on roll call votes 138 and 139, I was not present because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``Nay'' on both votes.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today is International Women's Day, a day without women. I am going to join millions of women in recognizing the important economic power of women in the United States and around the globe. In a few minutes, I will exit this Chamber with colleagues to show solidarity with our sisters, who are staying away from normal duties and mainstream commerce to call attention to the inequities that women and gender nonconforming people continue to face. We are wearing red to signify our love for our sisterhood and our passionate energy to pursue measures that will advance the lives of women and families, such as equal pay, paid family leave, quality affordable child care, access to Federal health care, and freedom from violence. In Congress, Democrats will resist efforts to take us back from hard- earned gains, standing strong against the unrelenting attempts by Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act, defund Planned Parenthood, and block access to full reproductive care. In the words of the Women's March, today we raise our voices to say that women's rights are human rights, regardless of a woman's race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status, and so forth. When women succeed, the world succeeds.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Russia is an alarming force in the world, a nuclear power with an authoritarian President, menacing our European allies with invasion into Ukraine and threats of incursion into other Baltic states, lifting mass murderer Assad in Syria, interfering in democratic elections around the world and here in our country, and now evidence is mounting that the White House-Putin connections run deep. Michael Flynn's shady dealings and lies to the Vice President and the public--what did the President know? When did he know it? Answers to these and other questions are critical to our national security. We must have an independent investigation. The American people deserve nothing less.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Madam Speaker, for women to thrive in the economic and social opportunities of our Nation, we must have the ability to control our own reproductive lives with full access to healthcare choices. Now, here we go again: another Republican bill aimed at taking us back to the dark, dangerous days when women were prisoners of their own bodies; back to 50 years ago when Katy, a nurse in Florida, had no access to legal contraception or abortion. She was a mother of two, recently divorced. Pregnant and unable to responsibly raise another child, she made an appointment on the phone with a nameless person who met her on a lonely street corner in Miami. She blindfolded her, hid her under a rug in a car, and took her to a garage where she had an abortion. But Katy was one of the lucky ones. She survived. Not so fortunate were the women who threw themselves down stairs or inserted chemicals or coat hangers into their uteruses in order to terminate their pregnancy. Madam Speaker, we will not go back to those dark, dangerous days.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on roll call vote 77, I was not present because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``NAY.''

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Colorado. Madam Speaker, for women to thrive in the economic and social opportunities of our Nation, we must have the ability to control our own reproductive lives with full access to real healthcare choices. Republican unrelenting efforts to force unwanted pregnancies and eradicate affordable, safe abortion will not save lives. Repealing the Affordable Care Act, defunding Planned Parenthood, and now driving insurance coverage for abortion into extinction will return women to the days of coat hanger medicine. Allowing women to be killed and maimed in back alleys is not pro-life. It will not make America great again. Women of America are on the march, and, Madam Speaker, we will not retreat.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the age of coat hanger medicine has returned. It may be a new year, a new Congress, a new administration, but Republicans are taking us back to a dangerous past, one where women were maimed and killed by back-alley abortions. Today, our new President signed an executive order restricting safe abortions for women around the world. And tomorrow, Republicans will vote to block American women from access to full reproductive care. Our government is about to enter our bedrooms and take the lives and liberty of our women and our families. With every breath, we must fight back.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on roll call votes 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54, I was not present because of an urgent family matter. Had I been present, I would have voted: on Roll Call Vote 46: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 47: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 48: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 49: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 50: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 51: NAY, on Roll Call Vote 52: NAY, on Roll Call Vote 53: AYE, on Roll Call Vote 54: NAY.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on roll call vote 6, I was not present because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``NAY.'

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the public service of Linda Colon, National President of the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary, and her upcoming visit to the organization's chapter in my home state of Florida. Linda has spent her career dedicated to improving the lives of our nation's hospitalized veterans. She served at the VA Hospital and the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton, and where she boosted morale among patients and their families. For her admirable efforts, she has been the recipient of numerous awards from U.S. presidents, admirals, and naval hospital commanders. In honor of her service with one of the oldest veterans' organizations in the country, I am pleased to recognize Linda Colon and welcome her to Florida.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Edward Braver, a World War II veteran who is celebrating his 100th birthday on Christmas Day this year. Edward has served his country throughout his life. In World War II Edward fought in the historic Battle of the Bulge campaign in Europe. When he returned home he worked for the United States Postal Service, working as a Postal Service Worker and Supervisor up until his retirement. It is my honor to recognize Edward today, and to join with his family and friends in celebrating this momentous birthday. I wish him good health and continued success in the coming year.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to stand here in support of the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation, also known as WIIN, because this legislation is a big win for my home State of Florida. There are two projects in there that I would like to talk about: the restoration of our Everglades and actually the expansion of Port Everglades, which is a different project. Our Everglades is the crown jewel of Florida. We also call it the river of grass. It is the home to an extraordinary natural habitat which attracts thousands and thousands of visitors every year, but, more important, it is where we store and clean the water for 7 million Floridians each year. Within WIIN is CEPP, Central Everglades Planning Project, which will continue the promise of this Congress to restore the natural flow of our river of grass that was interrupted years ago by Federal agencies. Also in this winning legislation is the expansion of Port Everglades, one of Florida's premier ports. Last year I was able to travel with our Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to Panama. We witnessed the opening of the canal, and we have seen the massive ships that are now traveling the seas, ships that will not be allowed into many of our ports unless we have an expansion. This bill will allow the expansion of Port Everglades to go forward. Mr. Speaker, I just want to let you know that it has taken us 20 years to get this authorized. So when I say this is a big win, this is a big economic win for south Florida because we expect, with the expansion 7,000 new jobs, 135,000 indirect new jobs, and $500 million of economic impact for our State. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support what will be a big win for our country.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of myself and Congressmen Ted Deutch, Alcee Hastings, and Patrick Murphy, to recognize retiring FLARA President Tony Fransetta for his leadership and public service. FLARA, the Florida Alliance of Retired Americans, represents the best interests of retired Floridians and stands in support of working families. As President, Tony has led the organization in its fight to protect the health and economic security of seniors throughout the state of Florida. His energetic leadership of FLARA helped expand the organization, increasing membership from 37,000 to 217,000 during his tenure. Tony leaves behind an influential legacy in which future leaders of FLARA will strive to follow. Commissioner Melissa McKinlay is declaring Tuesday, December 6th as Tony Fransetta Day in Palm Beach County to recognize Tony's leadership and advocacy. We would like to join the Commissioner and our friends back in Florida in honoring, celebrating, and thanking Tony for his service protecting and advancing the interests of our communities. Tony is a great role model for Floridians, and we are pleased to honor him today and wish him the best in his retirement.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel, first, for the great bipartisan work. I really appreciate being on this committee. I want to tell you a story that one of our Ambassadors told me that I thought was amazing. I won't say her name or where she was, but she told me she was overseas. The security that they hired was so poor that they actually had to hire criminals; and her security guard not only robbed her and her family, but killed their dog. That is just an example of some of the quality of security that we had for our Ambassadors, who deserve absolutely our utmost protection. So I just want to thank both the chairman and the ranking member for working with me to get this provision in this bill that now is going to let our State Department get well-qualified security for Embassies, which they deserve to have.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Madam Speaker, I join my Democratic colleagues in opposing funding for a legislative panel that, instead of protecting, is jeopardizing life. Just ask the wife and 4 children and 10 grandchildren of George Tiller, a good doctor, who, while attending church, was shot dead by an anti-abortion extremist. His loved ones know the tragic consequences of having a target on one's back. And what this panel is doing is funding and creating new targets. Reports naming names with bogus accusations; every day, clinics dealing with social media threats, bomb scares, harassment. We are playing deadly politics here, endangering lives and halting lifesaving medical breakthroughs. Enough is enough. I urge my colleagues to oppose this resolution.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Sylvia Rosenblatt, who turned 100 years young in November. Sylvia is a dedicated volunteer in our South Florida community and a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Throughout her life Sylvia has been committed to helping others. She volunteers for numerous organizations including the Mandel Jewish Community Center and the Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, where she helps pack and ship care packages to soldiers overseas. I join with Sylvia's friends, family, and the ACE Lifelong Learning Center in celebrating her birthday. I wish her good health and continued success in the coming year.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Chairman, I bring this amendment on behalf of myself and Mr. Curbelo of Miami, Florida. It is a very excellent commonsense amendment. It is an authorization that requires no money, and it strikes an archaic, 30-year-old provision from law. I would like to explain how it affects our home State of Florida. Quite simply, the law is an obstacle to Florida's tourism and shoreline protection. We are one of the top travel destinations in the world. We have over 100 million visitors with a $70 billion impact to Florida's economy, and beaches play a very big role not only for visitors, but for our shore protection and for protection of our property, people, and the environment. Just like Northern States have to fix their potholes after a bad winter, in Florida, we have to restore our beaches. What has happened is that Dade and Broward Counties have run out of useable sand to dredge off our coast to put back on the beaches. After the Sandy Hurricane, our sand supply is completely depleted. We now have to rely on sand from northern counties. Taking sand from inland is very, very expensive. To try to take sand from the coastal communities literally causes a public uproar and threats of litigation. It is our version of water wars. We call them sand wars in Florida. There is a very easy solution, and that is to allow the counties in south Florida to buy sand from the Bahamas. What is preventing that? There is language in a 1986 law--a 1986 WRDA bill written at a time when sand in south Florida was very plentiful. The language prevents State and local governments anywhere in the country from buying foreign sand to replenish their shorelines without the Army Corps first finding--and this requires a study and another study--that there is no domestic sources of sand for environmental or economic reasons. It is one more task that an overburdened agency does not need to perform. So what this amendment does is it simply strikes that outdated requirement. Mr. Chairman, I urge Members to help end the sand wars and support my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 1217, the bipartisan expanded background checks legislation, to honor the memory of Donald Stoney Boatman, a victim of gun violence who never received a moment of action on the House floor.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, Congress needs to stop playing around with people's lives and fully fund the fight against Zika now. For my home State, Florida, at stake is the future of our newborns, our tourism jobs, and the hopes and dreams of folks like Andrew and Christina Rosebrough. For the past 9 years, they have battled the ups and downs of infertility, seen numerous doctors, spending thousands of dollars on treatments and drugs. After years of heartache and disappointment, they actually gave up; and then their own miracle, Christina became pregnant. They were elated. They were excited. But now their joy is tempered by anxiety and trepidation. Christina has to stay confined to her home, scared of that poisonous mosquito that would devastate her baby's brain. Mr. Speaker, Congress needs to do its job now and fully fund Zika.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Florida Atlantic University for the success of their MBA in Sports Management program. The program recently ranked third out of over 600 graduate- level sports programs internationally. FAU started offering a MBA in Sports Management in 2000, and has been ranked in the top 10 programs in the world for four years now. Alumni of the program have gone on to work for Florida teams like the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, and Florida Panthers, as well as professional sports teams and university athletic departments across the country. It is my great privilege to recognize FAU for this accomplishment and for all they have done for their students, the South Florida community, and professional sports.

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida

Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor South Florida resident Nadine Kirby, for her efforts to ``Light it Up Green'' during the month of August to raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy. Nadine's son David has lived with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that causes progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass, since he was four years old. One million American families are affected by this condition, and there is no existing cure. For the individuals and families who are impacted by muscular dystrophy, I applaud efforts to ``Light it Up Green,'' and to recognize August as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness month. I ask my colleagues to join me in ``lighting it up green'' this August to support the families who continue the fight against this disease and thank the South Florida advocates who work tirelessly to raise awareness and seek a better future for those who are born with muscular dystrophy.