Joe Garcia

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 45th anniversary of the Minority Business Development Agency. Throughout its history, MBDA has spurred business development and worked tirelessly to advance the growth and global competitiveness of the minority business community. These businesses fuel the economic engine of our country, revitalizing our communities by creating hundreds of new jobs. In my home State of Florida, this agency helped create 2,500 jobs in 2009, including over 800 new jobs in the past year alone. At a time when many communities blighted by recession continue to struggle, the Minority Development Business Agency will strengthen businesses on the verge of recovery. I look forward to seeing this agency continue to create jobs and prosperity both in Florida and across our country.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Madam Speaker, I have always been a strong supporter of Medicare for the simple reason that our Nation's seniors deserve to keep their hard-earned health care. That is why we have been working on a bipartisan basis to fight any potential cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. I am pleased to announce that, yesterday, the administration reversed potential cuts to these health care plans. I would like to say a few words in Spanish: (English translation of the statement made in Spanish is as follows.) Mr. Speaker, I always have and always will support Medicare for the simple reason that our nation's seniors deserve to keep their hard- earned health care. That is why I have been working on a bipartisan basis to fight any potential cuts to Medicare. I am pleased to say that the Administration stepped up yesterday and reversed potential cuts to Medicare Advantage health plans. I'd like to say a few words in Spanish for my Spanish language constituents. Siempre he apoyado y voy a seguir apoyando a Medicare porque creo que las personas mayores de nuestro paiis merecen mantener su seguro de salud que han ganado. Por esa razoon es que he colaborado con mis colegas de ambos lados para combatir los cortes potenciales de Medicare. Me complace anunciar que la Administracioon escuchoo nuestras preocupaciones y ayer eliminaron los posibles recortes a los planes de salud de Medicare Advantage. Es un buen dia para los mayores de nuestra nacioon. It is a good day for our Nation's seniors.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. I would like to thank my colleague from Florida and my good friend, Mr. Murphy, for his fight for seniors. I rise today to express my strong support for Medicare and my opposition to any cuts to Medicare. Medicare is one of our Nation's greatest achievements. For half a century, this program has lifted millions of seniors out of poverty and provided seniors with the health care they need, they have earned and they deserve. In Congress, we have a responsibility to strengthen and modernize Medicare to ensure that it continues to provide seniors who have worked all their lives to receive those Medicare benefits they have earned and they depend on. Medicare Advantage serves over 1 million seniors in Florida, and it provides innovative treatments and care. In my district, I hear firsthand from so many seniors how well Medicare is serving them. This is not a political issue. This is not a partisan issue. While outside groups have been misleading my constituents and others on my record on Medicare, I have been working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to oppose cuts to Medicare. My colleagues and I are strongly advocating against changes to Medicare that would disrupt the lives of seniors. I have spoken to the President about this. I have spoken to the Secretary and CMS about this issue. We have written letters to the administration, and we stand here today. I am committed to continuing to do everything I can to protect Medicare for our Nation's seniors. With that, I want to again thank Mr. Murphy for all of his efforts. He has been a leader in our caucus, he has been a leader in this Congress in fighting for seniors, and I am proud to stand by his side, just as I am sure that Mr. Murphy will fight against cuts like the ones proposed in the Ryan budget, which cuts over $800 billion from seniors and Medicare, which puts the hole back in the doughnut, and I just want to thank him again for his leadership.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleagues for joining me here today, as well as those advocates tirelessly working for comprehensive immigration reform. Nine months have passed since the Senate moved on a strongly bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill. In that time, we have heard nothing but excuses and empty promises from the Speaker. Yesterday, the Congressional Budget Office confirmed what so many of us already know: immigration is a boon for our economy. It will reduce the deficit by nearly $1 trillion, raise wages, and increase the Nation's productivity. It will make our country richer and create opportunity for all. But because the Speaker refuses to give us a vote, we have seen more families ripped apart, more jobs go overseas, and more people get stuck in a broken, outdated, and inefficient system. We can't afford to wait any longer for this House to take up immigration reform. The time has come to move this forward. Immigration reform isn't just the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do. Our country needs it, the American people support it, and there are enough votes today in the House of Representatives to pass it. I invite all my colleagues to join me in signing the discharge petition so we can finally bring immigration reform to a vote.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 15 to demand a vote on the bipartisan immigration reform bill that unites our families and moves our country forward.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, last week marked 1 month since Leopoldo Lopez was unjustly arrested in Venezuela for his role in demonstrations against the ineptitude of the Venezuelan Government. Mr. Lopez is one of the best-known prisoners in Venezuela, but he is not the only one: 121 people remain behind bars; over 2,000 have been detained while the democratic protests continue. Despite these arrests, despite the hundreds of injured, dozens killed, the demonstrations continue. The voices of reform will not be silenced. Every day, the Venezuelan people are fighting for freedom, pleading for a better future, demanding their basic rights. While much of our attention has been focused on the events in Ukraine and Russia, few nations are more closely tied to our national interests than Venezuela. The time for America to act is coming.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. GARCIA. I am opposed.

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, this is a final amendment to the bill. This will not delay the bill. This will not kill the bill. This will not send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will proceed immediately to final passage, as amended. Mr. Speaker, we should all be able to agree that just as it is absurd to say that all regulations are good, it is absurd to say that all regulations are bad. Unfortunately, this bill does just that. It assumes that all regulations are bad; it weakens or delays them. Even those that advance important bipartisan priorities are going to be hurt. That is why my amendment is so important. It will ensure that this bill does not create unnecessary hurdles in several important areas, including those that help veterans find jobs, keep health care safe and affordable, and rebuild communities after natural disasters. Mr. Speaker, there is probably no issue where there is more bipartisan support than in the need to support our Nation's veterans. Those who have risked and sacrificed more than anyone else deserve for us to help keep them safe: veterans, veterans like my constituent George Martinez, who found a job through the program for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, an important program overseen by the VA. This bill will unfortunately weaken or delay regulations that help veterans like George find jobs when they leave the service. It would have delayed an important regulation that was finalized last year, a regulation that requires contractors to set goals for hiring veterans and list job openings so that veterans can apply for them. According to estimates, this regulation could ultimately find additional employment for 200,000 veterans. With unemployment for veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan being at almost 10 percent, we should not be delaying this kind of regulation. Mr. Speaker, my amendment would also keep the bill from creating unnecessary hurdles on regulations that protect patient safety. This bill would unnecessarily create hurdles for regulations that protect patient safety in hospitals and nursing homes, and lower out-of-pocket costs of health care. These are especially important issues in my home State of Florida where 70,000 nursing home residents live, more than almost any other State in the country. These are our parents, they are our loved ones who should receive the best care possible in their latter years. That is why we must ensure that nursing homes remain a safe place of rest and care for our seniors and remain an affordable option for those who need them. That is exactly what my amendment will do. Finally, this amendment will ensure that the bill does not create unnecessary obstacles for regulations that help protect and rebuild communities after natural disasters. In south Florida, we are all too familiar with the devastating effects of hurricanes and natural disasters when they strike. Rebuilding communities in their aftermath can take years, as my constituents in Homestead know all too well. That is why we need to move forward with my amendment. We need to have an amendment that ensures this bill does not weaken or delay regulations that facilitate the recovery and rebuilding efforts. Mr. Speaker, at a time when we face so many important issues, we here in Congress need to come together and do what is right. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' to ensure that we support unemployed veterans, keep health care safe and affordable, and protect our communities from natural disasters. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Black History Month. I am humbled by leaders in my district, like Lawrence McClain, a pioneer who opened up Homestead to new settlement; Officer Clifford Hollis, the first African American police officer in Florida City and Homestead; as well as Chief Rolle, the first African American police chief. There have been numerous historic accomplishments in my district thanks to people like Doris Ison and Colonel Hartley, who helped in health care and made a difference to African Americans in South Dade. We have also seen the torch of public service passed down from the late Reverend Ferguson and Senator Larcenia Bullard to Florida City Commissioner Avis Brown, Senator Dwight Bullard, Commissioner Moss, and longtime civic educator and activist, Rosemary Fuller. We must always remember the great leaders who have come before us, marching forward as we fight for civil rights and equality for all.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. I thank the gentleman from Colorado. There should be no question by now that immigration reform is good for America, and Americans want immigration reform. Nearly 80 percent of Americans agree, and up to 70 percent of Republicans support reform with a pathway to citizenship. The issue is not simply about justice and fairness. It is about ensuring America's economic prosperity. In Florida alone, legalizing all the currently undocumented immigrants would generate $1.3 billion of new tax revenue and create 97,000 new jobs. Mr. Speaker, fixing our broken immigration system will help small businesses expand, foster innovation, increase productivity, raise wages, and help create thousands of jobs. Comprehensive immigration reform makes all Americans better, makes our country richer, and makes opportunity for all. Mr. Speaker, one of the great tragedies of some countries is they fail to realize what they are truly good at. If there is something that America is better at than any other Nation, it is making Americans. Throughout the history of this great Nation, generation after generation, we have made new Americans better Americans and a greater America. The statement Mr. Polis mentioned earlier referring to DREAMers as drug mules was ludicrous, but doubling down on those remarks was downright appalling. You know, the gentleman from Iowa not only offends DREAMers, offends the undocumented, he offends all Americans. In defending this statement, claims have been made that detractors only criticize the choice of language, and then he goes further by saying those who attack him simply won't engage on the facts. Well, yes, the choice of words is offensive, and as the son of an immigrant, I am offended, but the claims are also patently false. They shouldn't be an excuse for not moving immigration reform. I want to thank my colleagues tonight, and I want to thank the Speaker for the time. The time has come to pass immigration reform. The opportunity is now. Let us not wait. It hurts our country.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, as they have for weeks, thousands of Venezuelans continue to risk their lives, taking to the streets in protest of their failed government. The people of Venezuela have seen their economy collapse, family members kidnapped, friends murdered. While they plead for a better future for their country, the government brutally attacks its own citizens and clamps down on basic freedoms. This is not a democracy, and no conscientious nation should remain silent. It is our responsibility to make sure the world knows full well what is happening in Venezuela, and that the Venezuelan government is accountable for these blatant violations of universal democratic principles. As the protesters' latest motto goes, ``El que se cansa pierde''--he who tires, loses. The fight for freedom, justice, and human rights will never, never die.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Colorado for yielding. I want to recognize precisely what the gentleman from Maryland was talking about. I would like to urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so we can get to this important issue. I appreciate the gentleman from Texas' understanding of this. But I want to talk about the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which is a bipartisan bill that would delay crippling premium increases that are affecting people throughout south Florida and throughout the country, and I want to talk about specific people. Mr. Speaker, because of rising flood insurance rates, people are literally walking away from their homes. I recently spoke to Derek and Robin Menard. They had an increase because the property owner of where they rent put it on their bill, and so they could not afford to remain in south Florida because it just got too expensive. After 9 years of calling south Florida home, they were forced to move away. They were forced to find jobs where they had moved to in Pennsylvania. They had to pull their little daughter, Millie, out of school, and she had to change friends and neighborhood. Mr. Speaker, this is not right. While I recognize the gentleman from Texas wants to solve this, we have a bipartisan bill that was passed out of the Senate. We can pass this out now and then get to working on this problem before we hurt more people, before we force more people to move away from their community, their friends, their loved ones, due to these exorbitant insurance rates. So, for this reason, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can pass a bipartisan bill that makes common sense and provides a solution and much-needed relief to policyholders.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a Miami native and Cuban American short-track speed skater, Eddy Alvarez. When I first heard about this south Florida ice speed skater, I was even more astounded than when I found out about the Jamaican bobsled team. Disney may have to make a movie about this. In all seriousness, Eddy had his first competition in Sochi this morning, and he will continue competing in events this week. Eddy learned to roller skate in south Miami, and then took to the ice, eventually competing internationally with great success. I am proud to note that Eddy attended Christopher Columbus High School and practiced at the Kendall Ice Arena--both great institutions in my district. Eddy is a remarkable example of American determination and dedication. I wish him and his fellow Olympians all the success in Sochi.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. I would like to thank my colleague from Florida for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I want to echo the words of the previous speaker. Like the gentleman, though, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question so that we can take up a more important vote, so we can take up the strongly bipartisan Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act. During this Congress, we have spent far, far too much time on issues that divide us rather than on bipartisan issues that unite us. The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act is just that kind of bipartisan legislation that should be at the top of the House's agenda. It would relieve homeowners of crushing premium rate increases, strengthen our housing market, and support economic recovery. That is why this legislation has such strong bipartisan support. The Senate passed this bill by a 67-32 margin. The House companion bill has 182 cosponsors, including 56 Republican cosponsors.

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in voting to take up the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act today. It just can't wait. It is time to make a difference. For this reason, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can take up this bipartisan legislation. Mr. Speaker, because of rising flood insurance rates, people are literally walking away from their homes. I recently heard from Robin and Derek, a South Florida couple whose landlord had increased their rent to cover the property's rising flood insurance rates. The rent increase made staying in their home too expensive for Robin and Derek. Despite searching, they were unable to find another affordable house in the area. After nine years of calling South Florida home, they were forced to leave Florida and move north to Pennsylvania. The couple had to find new jobs in a new town. Their young daughter had to be pulled from her childhood home, her school, and all of her friends. Mr. Speaker, this is not right. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing that by voting to take up the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act today. This can't wait. We have to act to protect hardworking Americans from these exorbitant rate increases before anyone else is forced to walk away from their home. For this reason, I urge my colleagues to defeat the previous question so we can pass this bipartisan, commonsense solution and provide much- needed relief for homeowners in South Florida and across America.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 65th anniversary of Richmond Heights, a community that from its very beginning fostered inclusion and respect. I recently had the opportunity to read a great book, ``Miami's Richmond Heights,'' which was written by Patricia Harper Garrett and her daughter, Jessica Garrett Modkins, good friends of mine. It chronicles the story of a community that was set up by Captain Frank Martin, a White Pan Am pilot, who bought the land in 1949, knowing that a lot of World War II veterans, African American World War II veterans, would be returning armed with the GI Bill, but unable to purchase homes. He created this community based on racial equality and inclusion. It is one of the great communities of my district. The African American leadership that it inspired--folks like Canon Theodore Gibson, Reverend John A. Ferguson, who created the Second Baptist Church, and Senator Larcenia Bullard--that leadership has been passed on to others in Richmond Heights where today we have Senator Dwight Bullard and Reverend Alphonso Jackson. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I commemorate the 65th anniversary of Richmond Heights and Patricia Garrett's terrific book.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, and I urge my colleagues to join me in working to reduce this invasive crime. Floridians suffer from some of the highest rates of identity theft in the country, with over 70,000 people filing complaints of identity theft last year. Whether they shop at neighborhood mom-and-pop stores or large retailers, Americans deserve to buy what they need without living in fear of having given away private information or being compromised. That is why I introduced the Safe ID Act, in order to address the growing problem of identity theft and tax fraud. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill and other commonsense efforts to stop this heinous crime.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, although the recent budget compromise has given our economy a measure of stability--and we are all thankful for that--it did so at the cost of vital benefits for our military and their families. The budget deal cut $6 billion by reducing the crucial cost-of-living adjustment, or COLAs, for thousands of veterans in south Florida and across the country. This is a miniscule part of the Federal deficit-- less than 0.1 percent--but it makes a huge difference for those who have given so much. Cost-of-living adjustments help seniors and veterans keep up with the rising costs and basic needs like groceries and clothing. There are a lot of places to cut the Federal deficits, but it shouldn't be in aiding those men and women who have sacrificed so much. That is why I have cosponsored legislation to repeal this cut, and I urge my colleagues to join me in support of our Nation's heroes.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, our priority in Congress should be to find solutions, to boost our economy and get people back to work. While we are still working to get our economy back on track, Americans need to be able to feed their families and support themselves. It is about fairness. That is why I urge my colleagues today to extend the emergency unemployment insurance. For every dollar spent on unemployment insurance, we generate $1.55 in new economic activity in its first year, which is why we create more jobs and will get Americans back to work. In Florida alone, 70,000 people have lost this essential lifeline during the holiday season. And if we don't act, this number could double in the next 6 months. Mr. Speaker, this is simply a question of fairness. It is the right thing to do for our families and for our economy.

Mr. GARCIA

Mr. GARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado, who has been having these sessions now for all the month of November. We began at the end of October and then have gone through the session in December. He has been an ardent champion of this issue. He has been a leader in our caucus. He has been doing the right thing, and I am very thankful for his efforts on our behalf. I want to mention that, last week, when we were doing this, the Speaker made a ruling of something that I probably did incorrectly in my speech; but I want to now yield to the gentleman from Colorado because he spoke for millions of those who have no voice, who cannot come to this floor and claim something that is so American--a system that works, a system that makes sense, a system that is fair to all its citizens, in fact, to all of its people.

Mr. GARCIA. I would like to thank my colleagues for joining me here tonight. Mr. Speaker, we are here to discuss a vitally important issue. We need to pass comprehensive, commonsense immigration reform. We feel the consequences of our broken immigration system every day. We may not agree on the best way to go about fixing it, but disagreement is no excuse for inaction. With every day that passes, millions continue to live in the shadows and jobs continue slipping away overseas. This is not simply just an issue of fairness. It is about ensuring America's economic prosperity. In Florida alone, legalizing those currently unauthorized to live would generate $1.3 billion in new tax revenue and create 97,000 new jobs. Fixing our broken immigration system will help small businesses expand, foster innovation, increase productivity, raise wages, and help create thousands of jobs. Comprehensive immigration reform makes all Americans better, makes our country richer, and creates opportunity for all. We must work together to find a solution that secures our borders, builds our economy, and provides a way forward for millions of undocumented individuals living in the United States. This week, a group of children dropped by my office. They were dropping by to express their wish for the new year. Their families have been ripped apart by our immigration system, and they came to deliver letters from a thousand children facing the same struggle. I would like to share one of those letters with you: Dear Congress, My name is Charlie Hoz-Pena and I am Anthony's brother. I'm 11 and I'm in fifth grade. I'm writing to tell you my worst nightmare became real. Last year our dad was taken away from us and was sent to Mexico. We fought really hard to get him out of jail. I went to church and prayed, we did protests, vigils, wrote letters, petitions and I behaved well in school. But Immigration did not listen. They don't care about us. I even thought about killing myself because I is sad when bad things happen to good people and because I love my dad very much. I am very angry at Congress and Obama. It's really hard on me and Anthony and my mom. I love my mom too and she keeps us safe and comfortable but it's really hard for her too. Every time I hear her crying I feel sad, she cries because she misses him. She has to find a lot of jobs cleaning houses to support us. So Congress, please get your act together. I want immigration reform please. You can do it. Do your job. Obama, you have the power to stop deporting people. Congress, you are breaking families apart every day until you pass immigration reform. You have a chance to help families. So please do it now. What if immigration broke up your family? Would you like it? Now just close your eyes and imagine your family destroyed. It is not a happy thought. It is a horrible feeling. It is like when somebody you care about dies. It is sad because you may never see them again. I don't know how long I am gonna have to wait to see my dad back. No child and family should suffer like we did. Congress, we belong together. I hope you can understand what that means. Sincerely, Charlie Charlie is right: we can't wait any longer. The time is now to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Although the Senate has acted in a bipartisan way to pass comprehensive immigration reform, the House of Representatives has not passed an immigration reform bill in this Congress. It is unacceptable. Ultimately, all of us, Democrat and Republican alike, should want the same things: a secure border, a stronger economy, and more jobs for the middle class. We should have a vigorous debate about this important issue, but a sensible one also that moves us forward. Unfortunately, that has not always been the case. Just this week, my colleague from Iowa compared allowing the undocumented to earn their citizenship as letting bank robbers walk away with the loot. This type of rhetoric has no place in this debate. We can do better. Our country demands we do better. Let's get this done. The time is now for comprehensive immigration reform. I yield to the gentleman from Colorado.