John Garamendi

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park, a site dedicated to preserving and sharing the remarkable stories of the World War II Home Front. Established by Congress in 2000, this park stands as a tribute to the resilience, determination, and unity of the men and women who answered the call to service during one of the most pivotal periods in our nation's history. For a quarter of a century, the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park has connected visitors from across the country to the inspiring legacies of those who worked in the defense industries, challenged social norms, and laid the foundation for greater equality in the workforce. A significant milestone in this journey was the opening of the park's visitor center in 2012, a space that has since welcomed thousands of guests and showcased the powerful stories and images that define the Home Front experience. I would also like to recognize the invaluable contributions of the Rosie the Riveter Trust, the park's official nonprofit partner, whose steadfast commitment has helped ensure that these vital stories remain alive and accessible. Through their leadership, the Trust has played an essential role in organizing events, supporting educational initiatives, and strengthening the park's mission. As we mark this 25-year milestone, let us reflect on the spirit of the Home Front and its lasting influence on our Nation. The legacy of Rosie the Riveter and the countless individuals who shaped our history serves as an enduring inspiration, reminding us that through resilience, unity, and hard work, we can overcome any challenge. On behalf of the constituents of California's 8th Congressional District, I would like to honor the 25th anniversary of the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park and extend my sincere gratitude for the generations of service to the United States and the Richmond community.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Bill Whitney as he retires from the Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO. Throughout his life, Bill has been a dedicated and tireless advocate for working people. His legacy of service, advocacy, and leadership will continue to inspire us for years to come. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Bill's early years were spent working on his family farm alongside his three brothers. After his family relocated to Walnut Creek, California, Bill attended Ygnacio Valley High School and went on to earn a degree in Zoology from the University of California, Davis. Bill's commitment to service was evident from his collegiate years, where he was deeply involved in sports and extracurricular activities, including Boy Scouts, Key Club, and his fraternity, Theta Xi. Bill began his career in service after moving to Benicia in 1977. He was a proud member of the Lions Club, Rotary Benicia Historical Society, and the Chamber of Commerce. Bill also served on the Benicia City Council from 1999 to 2007, where he tirelessly advocated for his community. Mr. Whitney is a true champion for working people. He is a proud member of three unions: The Retail Clerks Union, the Inland Boatmen Union, and the United Association of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry. Throughout his career, Bill has played a pivotal role in advancing workers' rights, improving workplace conditions, and ensuring fairer wages for workers. Bill's leadership and advocacy have expanded economic opportunities for working families and improved the lives of countless workers and their families. His advocacy for working people has left an indelible mark on the labor movement in California and beyond. On behalf of California's 8th Congressional District, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Bill Whitney on his well-deserved retirement. Mr. Whitney's years of service have left a lasting legacy and significantly enhanced the lives of countless working people.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, it is hard to say where to start, but perhaps I will simply augment what we just heard from my Democratic colleagues, who gave example after example of the crazy, uncoordinated attack on Americans that we are now seeing from the current administration. As we hear those stories of the reality of the programs that are not moving forward, the reversal of critical programs to protect individuals and their healthcare, to protect individuals in their daily lives as they travel, to protect Americans now and in the future as we address the issues of climate change and the enormous challenges, much more will be said about that in the days ahead. It definitely should be. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to deal with a positive message. It is a positive message that compares how Democrats would address the challenges of our time versus what our President and his DOGE minions are doing and what our Republican colleagues here in the House are attempting to do with their budget reconciliation proposal and soon their individual tax and other policies. I rise today as House Republicans are moving forward with their budget scheme that literally betrays the working men and women of America, all because my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to put forward and carry forward the 2017 tax program that the majority rammed through this House without a single hearing. It was a program that created trillions and trillions of dollars of deficit and did little to enhance the American economy. We see the Trump trifecta in action. Trump and Musk, with the backing of timid Republicans, have traumatized Federal employees. Republicans have purged the military of competent, experienced leaders and have usurped congressional, constitutional power of the purse and power of the law by dissolving programs, such as USAID, which is authorized by law; the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau; and many, many other government agencies. Mr. Speaker, instead of reclaiming the constitutional power of Congress, our Republican colleagues are now pushing forward their budget that will make working families sicker, less healthy, and hungry, all the while giving $3.5 trillion in lower taxes and tax breaks to their billionaire donor friends and corporations. In the process, it will skyrocket the national deficit and apparently betray their own long-held view that deficit financing was bad. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats have a different version. It is based on what Franklin Roosevelt said many years ago: ``The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.'' It is our intention to create a level playing field upon which every American can advance and prosper. Republicans are doing neither of these. Worse yet, the majority will provide nothing for those who have little and give everything to those who already have so very, very much. The Roosevelt test is once again before us, and Republicans are failing at that test. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle intend to cut Medicare while making healthcare for the Americans more expensive. My Republican colleagues intend to cut student loan relief programs. They intend to cut Pell grants that are crucial for keeping not only students in schools but schools open all across communities of America, particularly low-income communities. Republicans will make our children go hungry by slashing school lunch programs and even school breakfast programs. The majority will cut SNAP programs, a lifesaving program that feeds millions of Americans and provides support to farmers. My colleagues will make our roads less safe by cutting critical infrastructure. Republicans will cut services that maintain our national forests and our national parks, as we heard. Firefighters are being laid off or not even being hired for the summer fire season. In our national parks, who will be there? Apparently my colleagues on the other side of the aisle don't care much for those people who are necessary for providing the summer programs in our national parks. My Republican colleagues will give $3.5 trillion in tax breaks to the superwealthy and to very large corporations, who often pay no taxes at all. In all of this, the majority will add trillions to our national debt. Democrats have a different vision. It is a vision rooted in fairness and rooted in the words of Franklin Roosevelt. We believe that every American deserves a good quality of life, a shot at success, a vision of a level playing field on which they can prosper and have the support to rise as far as they could and as far as they would want. We are here today to highlight our vision and to show the American people that there is a disconnect between what the Republicans want and are actually doing and what American families really need. Here are some of those policies that the congressional Democrats would bring to the floor if we had four more Members in our Caucus: Democrats will support working families. The first thing we will do to support working families is to expand the child tax credit. Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro's American Family Act will cut child poverty in half and provide critical relief for middle-class and low- income families by providing a $6,000 refundable tax credit to help families with the high cost of a child's first year of life. Democrats will lower the cost of goods and services for Americans. If we had those four additional Democrats, we would include provisions in our budget to protect American families from price gouging. It is unacceptable that American corporations continue to exploit the crisis and leave working families with the bill. Democrats will establish a Federal ban on price gouging, and we will hold those corporations accountable. Democrats will build and expand on the $35 insulin cap, which incidentally is a price cap that Trump removed. The skyrocketing price of this lifesaving drug for every American must be reinstituted, and it must be expanded. Democrats will expand the $2,000 out-of-pocket prescription drug cap for all Americans, and Democrats will lower housing costs by expanding the affordable housing programs, the low-income housing tax credit, and strengthening access to housing using a bill that I have introduced called the HOME Act, which will increase housing availability. Democrats will raise workers' salaries and wages. The third provision that we would include in our budget is the PRO Act. The PRO Act protects the right for working men and women to organize, ensuring that workers have the power to negotiate for fair wages and benefits. As a Member of the Labor Caucus, I know the importance of collective bargaining and protecting unions. Collective bargaining is the fairest possible way for workers to earn the money that they deserve for the work that they have performed. We will also push forward the Raise the Wage Act to gradually bring the Federal minimum wage in line with the economic reality of American workers. Mr. Speaker, Democrats will also defend Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. We will do this with legislation such as Representative John Larson's Social Security 2100 Act, which will increase benefits while ensuring that the superwealthy pay their fair share and secure this critical program for future generations. The House Republican budget scheme, endorsed by our President and designed to help the superwealthy and their billionaire buddies like Elon Musk, will cut Social Security benefits and Medicare and Medicaid benefits. In my district alone, the Republican proposal will gut Medicaid for 250,000 of my constituents. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle will also go after Social Security benefits for those in need. In my district, 89,163 children will lose their healthcare based upon the budget proposal that the Republicans are pursuing. Republicans will also cut $1 trillion out of Medicaid, and that will gut healthcare services for millions of seniors, for pregnant women, and for children with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, the Democrats will defend our borders, and we will do this with wise legislation and comprehensive reform. Unfortunately, last year, a congressional bipartisan proposal in the Senate to pass historic immigration reform was killed by the current President, who was not then in office. He called upon the Republicans to stop, not to proceed, and my Republican colleagues didn't. That left us with the current crisis. We have a proposal. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez' U.S. Citizenship Act will modernize our immigration laws, strengthen our economy, and provide for a responsible approach to border management, family reunification, and for the necessary workers that we need. We will do better, and we will deliver actual results that solve problems, not create additional problems. Democrats will pay for all of this by making sure that we have a fair, equitable tax system in which the superwealthy and the billionaires will pay their fair share. We will not go down the path that our Republican friends intend to go, and that is to extend the 2017 tax cut law that actually provided more than 85 percent of the trillions of dollars of benefits of lower taxes that go to the superwealthy and the billionaire class. We are not going to go that direction. The superwealthy and the billionaires should not have a continuation of that tax cut. We will also take a look at the cut to corporate taxes that was in that legislation. A tax rate of 28 percent was on the docket for many years until 2017. Even today, if we were to go back to that, it is much lower than it was prior to that time. We will not raise taxes on any family earning less than $400,000. We will restore the long-term capital gains rate to 28 percent, which is actually lower than the previous rates. We have much work ahead of us, and we intend to see that it gets done. Let me be clear, as you heard from my colleagues here earlier, the work that the DOGE boys and women are doing is a break-it policy that Elon Musk has brought to the government. He has no business being in government. He has no authority, or does he? In the morning, we hear from the White House that he has no authority. In the afternoon, we hear that he does. Either way, what he is doing is dead wrong. We know from the past that there is waste, fraud, and abuse out there, and we know how to do it. It has been done in a wise, thoughtful way. We tried understanding what that organization's purpose was and then looked for ways to make it more efficient and effective. I did this myself when I was Deputy Secretary in the Clinton administration at the Department of the Interior. We were told by the President and the Vice President that it was time for reform, and we set about to do it. In the Department of the Interior alone, we had just over 100,000 employees at the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and others. We looked at those programs and said that it can be done better. The end result was that we reduced employment by 10,000, a 10 percent reduction. We made the Department more efficient and more effective. That is the way it can be done. That is the way it should be done. Wholesale reductions and firings, as you heard from my colleagues early on, make no sense at all. The contrast between what we Democrats have done and will do is clear. We know the Republicans are set off on a course to further enrich those who have much and to go exactly the opposite direction of what Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, that it is not our goal to enrich those who have much, but rather to provide for those who have little. We will create a level playing field upon which every American will have an opportunity to rise and thrive to whatever level they want with a solid education program, a solid economy, and an opportunity to join with others to raise their future. It is our moment to push back and to stand up for working families. We will put people over politics, and this is our moment to build an economy that works for everyone, not just for a few. Mr. Speaker, joining me today in this discussion are several members of our Democratic Caucus. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Tran), a new member of our Caucus from Orange County who understands these issues and will now share with us his thoughts.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Tran very much for bringing the message to the House about what the current administration is doing to harm veterans. I also thank him for his service, both in the military and in his work in Orange County. I also appreciate him for bringing to this floor and to this House his experience and this legislation. Hopefully, the majority will see the wisdom of it and make it law. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Johnson), and I am looking forward to her thoughts.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to have a colloquy with the gentlewoman from Texas if I might.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Talk a little bit about where your district is.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Your experience is going to be invaluable as we work through this very difficult period of time. I thank you for bringing the message to the floor and to the American people. It is very, very important that they understand the depth and the trauma that the proposed budget will create and the alternative that you put forward. Thank you very much for joining us. I now welcome to the floor the gentlewoman from California, Laura Friedman. I happen to know where she is from, so I won't ask her, although she should certainly tell all of us about her district and her vision. I yield to the gentlewoman.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I am certainly pleased that I gave Ms. Johnson an opportunity to expand. I thank her so very much. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Dexter), a new Representative.

Mr. GARAMENDI. If I might, I would like to yield to the gentlewoman for a little colloquy. Your experience before you came here, you were a physician?

Mr. GARAMENDI. What was your practice?

Mr. GARAMENDI. You did this in the district which you now represent, which is what, part of Oregon?

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Friedman. I would like to yield to the gentlewoman for a short colloquy. You raised the issue of education. If our goal is, as I said earlier with the Roosevelt quote, that our task is to do for those who have little, it really begins with education. If we have a good, solid education program, then people will have the ability to get on a level playing field and to move to wherever they may want to go in terms of their quality of life, as well as whatever income they might achieve. You were talking earlier about the education cuts. If you would like to expand on that, perhaps the two of us or you alone can bring to this floor the devastating cuts that are being discussed with the termination of the Department of Education.

Mr. GARAMENDI. There are also very important programs at the higher education level.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Thank you so much for bringing that to all of our attention. Earlier today, I met with the chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, and we discussed much of what you just brought to our attention. The research that has been undertaken at UC Berkeley has in the previous year, 2024, created 1,618 new small businesses directly as a result of the research and the effort that the university is making to nurture these startup businesses. These are the businesses of the future that are using the research, which you very correctly brought to our attention, that is being cut. That research has led to innovation, new technologies, and new solutions. Perhaps you would like to expand on that.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with Representative Mark DeSaulnier to pay tribute to the Reverend Phil Lawson, a distinguished civil rights leader, pastor, and tireless advocate for social justice. Reverend Lawson passed away on January 26, 2025, at the age of 92. Throughout his life, Reverend Lawson dedicated his life to the pursuit of equality, compassion, and nonviolence. Growing up in a family deeply committed to faith and social justice, Reverend Lawson was instilled with values that would guide his life's work. He diligently pursued higher education, earning degrees from Kent State University, Butler University, Methodist Theological Seminary, and Colgate Rochester Divinity School. Starting at the age of 15, Reverend Lawson committed himself to justice and peace movements, participating in the Fellowship Reconciliation and studying non-violent direct action (NVDA) interventions under the leadership of Bayard Ruskin and George Houser in Washington, D.C. Later, he joined the Army band in a non-combatant status and served from 1953 to 1956. In the late 1960's and 1970's, Reverend Lawson emerged as a powerful voice for the civil rights movement. He participated in significant events such as the historic 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice. In addition, he served as the director of the Methodist Inner City Parish in Kansas City, Missouri, where under his leadership, the Inner City Parish played a pivotal role in organizing community initiatives, including working with the Black Panther Party and the Welfare Rights Organization to support and empower Black youth. Following his time in Kansas City, he transitioned to public service, working for the City of Berkeley as the Director of Program Development and Contract Administration from 1974 to 1980. Further, Reverend Lawson broke racial barriers as the first Black pastor of both El Cerrito UMC and First UMC in Vallejo. In 1992, Reverend Lawson was appointed to lead the Easter Hill United Methodist Church (UMC) in Richmond, California, where he served with distinction for decades. He was instrumental in founding and supporting numerous organizations dedicated to social equity, including the East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO), the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP), and the Black Alliance for Just Immigration. His advocacy encompassed a broad spectrum of issues, from racial equality to immigration reform and homelessness. Reverend Lawson's commitment to nonviolence and social justice was evident throughout his life. He often emphasized that nonviolence was not merely an option but the only path toward true community. His contributions were recognized in 2003 when he was honored as Contra Costa County's Humanitarian of the Year. Reverend Lawson will be remembered for his outstanding character and for the incredible impact he's had on our community. Please join us in recognizing Reverend Phil Lawson for his many contributions to our community.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.) on its 150th anniversary. M.E.B.A. has been the steadfast voice of the men and women who power our Nation's maritime industry, supporting American commerce through their skill, dedication, and solidarity for one and a half centuries. On this milestone, we pay tribute to the generations of maritime professionals who have propelled our Nation's trade in both peace and war. Founded in 1875 in Cleveland, Ohio, M.E.B.A. arose from the dangerous working conditions faced by mariners at the time. Shipowners valued profit over safety, leaving workers vulnerable to hazardous conditions. A small but determined group of engineers, led by Garrett Douw, came together to form a union dedicated to creating a safer, more secure, and equitable maritime industry. Their vision laid the foundation for a labor movement that has fought tirelessly for fair wages, job security, and improved safety measures. M.E.B.A.'s legacy extends far beyond its early struggles. Over the years, its members have answered the call during every major conflict and disaster. From World War II to our engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, from providing humanitarian aid to ferrying people to safety after September 11th, their resilience and professionalism in times of crisis are a testament to the values that define the American mariner. Today, M.E.B.A. continues to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for its members while strengthening the American Merchant Marine. Their contributions are vital to our economy and national security, and their dedication to public service remains as strong as ever. On behalf of California's 8th Congressional District, congratulations to M.E.B.A. on this remarkable 150-year anniversary. May their strength, service, and solidarity continue to guide them for many years to come.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, we now know what a $280 million investment in the presidential campaign will give you--the opportunity to totally destroy one of America's most important soft power institutions, that is the United States Agency for International Development. What has happened over the last 17 days is an extraordinary display of contempt for the American government. If you think about this in totality, right off the start, all federal funding stopped. What does that mean to the programs that Americans depend upon? Programs that gave people access to health care, education, programs that funded valuable medical research and infrastructure programs. For what purpose was that done? Perhaps to set up the next step, which is the dismantling of extraordinarily important programs. For me and for my wife, more than almost 58 years ago, we participated in a USAID program which at that time was just four years old. Set up by then-President Kennedy. We volunteered for a vaccination program. An effort created by the United Nations funded by the American government, through USAID, to eradicate smallpox. We spent a month in rural Ethiopia doing vaccinations. Then as our life moved on, we continued working to provide the necessary services so that people could survive. The Food for Peace program, my wife Patti actually ran that when she was at USDA as an assistant administrator. The famine camps, we were there. We saw the children that were dying of starvation, and we saw when the American grain finally arrived. I remember clearly one evening at the famine camp in Ethiopia in the mid 1980's, a woman literally in rags picking up individual grains of wheat that had spilled from the bags. She was trying to fill a cup so that there would be enough food that she could take back to her children. They died that night of starvation. The richest man in the world invested over $250 million in a presidential campaign, and he was given the keys to the American government and the opportunity to destroy things that he didn't like. USAID is not only providing the necessary food to allow people to continue to live, but also to thrive. Programs, agricultural programs, economic development programs around the world. People that didn't have the opportunity were given it and they were given this opportunity by the generosity of the American people. So, Mr. Speaker, what we have is here is a billionaire Elon Musk, who has the greatest wealth of any individual in the world, who seems to think he has the right to destroy people's lives. Before Musk does this, Mr. Speaker, before our president gives him the power to do that, I would ask Musk and President Trump to get on their private jets or get on Air Force One. I urge them to go to one of the famine camps in southern Sudan and hold a starving child in their arms. I urge Musk and Trump to look at the extended belly, the vacant stare, look at this child who cannot even to hold up their own head up and know that the American people have developed an emergency supplemental food program that can revive that child. And then and only then can they both come back and decide whether to put USAID into the wood chopper. If Musk or President Trump have just a modicum of humanity or any sense of compassion, they would never ever have taken USAID and destroyed it. Mr. Speaker if President Trump and Musk had any sense that both of their actions are doing to the thousands, indeed, millions of people around the world they both would decide to reverse what they are both are doing to USAID. There are other programs that are out there, and we will be talking about those programs. The Department of Education, labor department, giving the richest man in the world the keys to the U.S. Treasury? What is going on here? What information has been gathered? Where did that information go? What will it be used for? Who owns that information now, the U.S. Government or Elon Musk? These are serious questions that my colleagues and I will continue to raise.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) for her comments. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Landsman).

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, critical important issues have been raised in the last 20 minutes or so about the issues of conflicts of interest, of corruption, and of policy mistakes that the current administration has put in motion over the last 15, 16 days. I will draw the attention of the House to this diagram, and this is just a display of some of the contracts that Elon Musk has with the government. In total, it is more than $15 billion, but in each of these there are some very subtle and ominous opportunities for corruption. I will point out just one. In the Inflation Reduction Act and in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, there is money for electric vehicle charging stations. In fact, there is a substantial amount of money. It turns out that Tesla has some 20,000 charging stations around the United States and has become the principal charging station connection to all electric vehicles. If Elon Musk were to shut down the money for other companies to build charging stations, he would then have a monopoly. It is subtle but obvious to those of us who watch. My colleague spoke to the issue of the State Department putting out on its website a very specific $400 million purchase order of just one vehicle, a Tesla cybertruck. Corruption, yes. Waste, probably. Yet, here we are with an unelected individual who has extraordinary power, in fact, the power of the Presidency, and the Presidency is misusing the power to shut down organizations around this country. I will suggest that the Democrats have a different view of government and a different view of purpose. Franklin Roosevelt once said: ``The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.'' That test is now before the Congress of the United States. Hardworking families are struggling, dealing with inflation. Yet, it appears as though the Trump administration is going to focus on making the wealthier even more wealthy. We need to think about this. In the days ahead, I am certain that our Democratic colleagues will put forth a rigorous defense of the programs that Americans and indeed people around the world depend upon. We will do that together with the men and women around this Nation who have seen the effect, in many cases, the tragic effect of the shutdown of government and the shutdown of agencies upon which we all rely. Simultaneously, we will put forth a positive agenda about what we stand for and how we see America growing in the future. Mr. Speaker, I notice the arrival of the esteemed gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur) who had actually put together this 1 hour. It has been a privilege for me to stand as a substitute. She has now arrived, and I turn my attention back to Marcy Kaptur and her 1 hour. I thank her for the opportunity to sub for a bit while she was tied up in committee. I know she had good work to do there. Ms. Kaptur, the floor is yours. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I am a stand-in. This is actually Marcy Kaptur's Special Order hour. She is tied up in a hearing, so I will try to do my best to lay it out. She was going to speak for 7 minutes on the issues of the Trump administration's dismantling of the Federal Government and the hiring of, or I guess the acquiescence of, Elon Musk as the principle agent of destruction. What has happened over the last 17 days is an extraordinary display of contempt for the American Government. If you think about this, Mr. Speaker, in its totality, right off the start, all funding stopped. What does that mean to the programs that Americans depends upon? Healthcare, education, research, infrastructure programs, for what purpose was that done? Perhaps it was in order to set up the next step which is the dismantling of extraordinary important programs for me and for my wife. More than almost 58 years ago, we participated in a USAID program which at that time was just 4 years old set up by Kennedy. It was a vaccination program, an effort of the United Nations, funded by the American Government through USAID, to eradicate smallpox. We spent 1 month in rural Ethiopia doing vaccinations. As our life worked on, we continued working to provide the necessary services so that people could survive, the Food for Peace program. Patti actually ran that when she was at the USDA as an assistant administrator. The famine camps, we were there. We saw the children who were dying of starvation. We saw the American grain arrive. I remember clearly one evening at the famine camp in Ethiopia in the mid-eighties, a woman literally in rags, was picking up individual grains of wheat that had spilled from the bags trying to fill a cup so that there would be enough food that she could take back to her children. They died that night of starvation. The richest man in the world invested over $250 million in a Presidential campaign, and he was given the keys to the American Government and the opportunity to destroy things that he didn't like. USAID not only providing the necessary food to allow people to continue to live, but also to thrive through agricultural programs and economic development programs around the world. People who didn't have the opportunity were given the opportunity through the generosity of the American people. Mr. Speaker, when someone has the greatest wealth of any individual and seems to think they have the right to destroy lives, before our President gives someone the power to do that, I would ask the individual to get on their private jet or to get on Air Force One and go to one of the famine camps in southern Sudan and hold a starving child in their arms. The individual should look at the extended belly, the vacant stare, the fact that they are not even able to hold up their head and know that the American people have developed an emergency supplemental food program that can revive that child. After that, come back and decide whether to put USAID into the wood chipper. If anyone has just a modicum of humanity and a sense of compassion, they would never, never ever take USAID and destroy it. There are other programs out there, and we will be talking about these other programs as my colleagues join us here on the floor. There is the Department of Education and the Labor Department. Giving the richest man in the world the keys to the U.S. Treasury? What is going on here? What information has been gathered? Where did that information go? What will it be used for? Who owns that information now: the U.S. Government, or Elon Musk? These are serious questions. My colleagues and I will raise these questions. Mr. Speaker, I yield to Mr. Casten.

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Casten for his comments. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, so we now know what a $280 million- investment in a Presidential campaign will give you: the opportunity to totally destroy one of America's most important soft power, and that is the United States Agency for International Development. Mr. Musk and Mr. President, before you set about destroying USAID and the work that it does to provide necessary support for people, refugees and starving children around the world, I want you to hold in your hand a starving child. Look at their extended belly, look at their eyes, and understand what you are doing to hundreds, indeed millions, of people around the world when you take USAID and put it in the wood chipper. Reverse it. Have you any sense of humanity? Do you have any compassion? If you do, you will reverse the policy of destroying USAID.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Mother Alice Hilliard, a remarkable woman who lived a life defined by faith, resilience, and selfless service. Born on March 24, 1921, her life was a testament to strength, love, and devotion to her family, community, and church. Alice attended Wooden City School in Lewisville and accepted Christ at an early age, joining Union Hill Baptist Church under the leadership of J.H. Wyatt. In 1942, she relocated to Richmond, California, where she took on a historic role during World War II. Alice joined the workforce at the Kaiser Shipyard, stepping into roles traditionally held by men serving in the military. Her hard work and dedication earned her the distinguished title of ``Rosie the Riveter,'' and she was later featured in the book ``Staging Migrations Toward An American West'' by Marta Effinger-Crichlow, highlighting her contributions during this pivotal time in American history. After working at the shipyard, Alice continued her professional journey at the Dole Cannery and Aebi Nursery, where she eventually retired. However, her life's work extended far beyond her career. Alice had a passion for gardening, especially tending to her beloved rose bushes, traveling with her family, sewing, and cooking. She also faithfully served her community as a member of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond for over 70 years. She was deeply involved in numerous church auxiliaries, including the Women's Mission Union and Baptist Training Union, and served as Chair of the Kitchen Committee. Her dedication to her church family was unwavering. Mother Alice Hilliard's 103 years were marked by a life of faith, perseverance, and selfless love. She was an inspiration to all who knew her, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and community. Today, I honor her remarkable life and extend my deepest condolences to all who mourn her passing. May her memory be a blessing to us all. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Ms. Hilliard's loved ones. I know they and the people of California's 8th Congressional district join me in celebrating her life and legacy.

Mr. GARAMENDI

Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I had to return to California unexpectedly this week for medical treatment and missed votes. Had I been present, I would have voted NO on Roll Call No. 23 on passage of S. 5; YES on Roll Call No. 25 on passage of H.R. 471; and NO on Roll Call No. 27 on passage of H.R. 21.