Ruben Gallego

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Madam Speaker, the GOP's dysfunction has real consequences for the hard-working Americans who elected us and who are trying to make ends meet for their families. Rather than pass a long-term highway bill that invests in our crumbling infrastructure and creates jobs, Republicans instead keep catering to the most radical elements of their base. Madam Speaker, this is irresponsible. The American people deserve better. It is time for the Republican Congress to come to its senses and for this Congress to come together for the good of the people who elected us.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, Monday marked the 122nd year that we have honored and celebrated the hard-working men and women of America on Labor Day. It is also an occasion to reflect on the tremendous progress that the labor movement has made in improving the lives of working families. From strengthening pay and working conditions to fighting for fair health care and retirement benefits, unions have and will always play a critical role in growing the American middle class. However, we still have a long way to go. That is why I support raising the minimum wage, expanding the earned income tax credit, and fighting for fair trade agreements so that we can lift up the millions of working families in America still struggling to make ends meet. Mr. Speaker, it is simple. Those willing to work should be able to find good jobs. Through their hard work, they should be able to improve their family's quality of life. That is the core of the American Dream. This Labor Day, let's recommit ourselves to building a nation and an economy where that dream is within reach for every American.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, on August 6, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Mr. Speaker, this landmark law codified protections to guarantee every American's right to vote. For the past five decades, the Voting Rights Act has broken down barriers that discouraged or outright prohibited citizens from voting. The VRA led to a more inclusive electoral system that increasingly reflected the diversity of the American people. Mr. Speaker, the right to vote is central to who we are as Americans and to our democracy. But this cornerstone of American civil rights is unfortunately being threatened today. In too many places across the country, we have seen new measures that create barriers that make it harder to register or vote. On this 50th anniversary, we must redouble our commitment to strengthening the Voting Rights Act. We can start by restoring the Voting Rights Act to ensure that the rights of all Americans that go to the ballot box and cast a ballot are protected.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. For half a century, these critical programs have provided irreplaceable health and economic lifelines for countless Americans. In my congressional district alone, over 250,000 Arizonans rely on Medicaid for access to quality, affordable health care, while nearly 60,000 seniors depend on Medicare to cover their healthcare costs. However, this anniversary isn't just a time for celebration; it is also an opportunity to recommit ourselves to strengthening America's social safety net. Instead of dangerous cuts, we should be considering meaningful solutions to the serious problems that Americans of all ages are currently facing, from the rising costs of prescription drugs to the unmet needs of our caregivers. Unfortunately, some prominent Republicans, including leading Presidential candidates, would have you believe that we need to phase out these important programs. That is nonsense. Mr. Speaker, I can't imagine telling Latinos who rely on Medicare-- half of them have incomes below $14,000--that we need to phase out their health care. I am extremely proud to have fought for the Medicaid expansion in my home State of Arizona, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues here in Congress to protect and improve Medicaid and Medicare for future generations.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, what happened in San Francisco was a horrible tragedy, and my thoughts and prayers go out to Kathryn Steinle's family. As the authorities in San Francisco seek justice for Kate, we should not, however, allow demagogues like Donald Trump to demonize entire communities because of the actions of a single person. It is disappointing and alarming that the House Republican leadership is following Donald Trump's lead on immigration. The bill before the House this week would withhold funds that are meant to enhance public safety, support community policing, and assist crime victims, effectively putting our communities at higher risk. Mr. Speaker, this is nothing but an effort to cover for the House Republican leadership's failure to bring a comprehensive immigration reform bill to the floor that would actually fix our broken immigration system. But like Donald Trump, the House Republican leadership seemingly can't help themselves when it comes to painting millions of law-abiding and hard-working immigrants as nothing but criminals. Mr. Speaker, the safety of our communities should not be a political pawn. What the House Republican leadership is doing is irresponsible. Local law enforcement knows how to keep communities safe. Let them do their job.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I joined the people of Colombia and my fellow Colombian Americans in celebrating the nation's 215 years of independence. I am extremely proud of Colombia's rich history and vibrant culture. I am even prouder of the close friendship between our two countries, a partnership which has never been more important. On issues from narcotrafficking to the promotion of democracy, the United States and Colombia are working arm in arm together to make our hemisphere a more peaceful and prosperous place. Mr. Speaker, the Colombian people are celebrating their independence at a critical juncture in Colombian history. After decades of bloody conflict and instability, Colombia is engaged in intense negotiations with the FARC guerillas, talks that could produce a landmark peace agreement. This inspiring effort not only demonstrates the Colombian Government's commitment to peace, but also the Colombian people's capacity for healing and forgiveness. I commend Colombian President Santos and his administration for the progress to date and encourage both parties to press ahead, despite the obstacles that remain. Mr. Speaker, my sincere hope is that 1 year from today the Colombian people will be able to celebrate not just their innocence, but their freedom from fear and violence.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained and did not cast one roll call vote on Thursday, July 16, 2015. Had I been present, I would have voted in this manner: Roll Call Vote # 447--Final Passage: Western Water and American Food Security Act--NO.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge the Republican leadership to bring up a long-term funding transportation bill. Rather than develop a long-term strategy, Republicans again want to pass a short-term extension for the highway trust fund that fails to make the appropriate infrastructure investments that our economy needs. Our Nation's infrastructure is in a bad state, and it is critical that we make the necessary long-term, predictable investments in our country's roads, transit system, and highways that will create jobs, grow our economy, and offer a certainty for States to invest in larger, much-needed projects. Mr. Speaker, 42 State chambers of commerce agree that ``Our deteriorating national infrastructure is an issue that directly affects our ability to compete in the global marketplace and provide financial security for millions of middle-class American families.'' It is time for the Republican leadership to stop kicking the can down the road with short-term fixes that are costing us more money in the long run, hurting our economy, and costing jobs. I call on Republican leadership to bring up a long-term funding bill and stop playing games with America's crumbling infrastructure.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight an issue that deserves our immediate attention: the Republican leadership's failure to bring the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank to the House floor for a vote. The Ex-Im Bank plays a critical role in our economy, opening international markets to U.S. businesses by facilitating the sale of American goods and services overseas. The Bank evens the playing field for American companies, enabling them to compete based on the quality of their products, not on the financing term they can offer. Allowing the Bank's authorization to expire will have real-world consequences, Mr. Speaker. If we don't act, American businesses that employ tens of thousands of our workers will struggle to survive in this competitive global marketplace. There is no question that there are enough votes in both the House and the Senate to pass the Ex-Im Bank reauthorization at this point on a bipartisan basis. Mr. Speaker, for the sake of American businesses and workers, the Republican leadership needs to stop playing to their out-of-touch base and start acting in the best interests of the American people by reauthorizing the Ex-Im Bank immediately.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the rule which would allow for consideration of H.R. 5, a harmful bill that abandons our commitment to ensuring all children in my home State of Arizona and across the country are afforded quality education that prepares them for success. We can all agree that every child deserves a fair shot by giving them and their teachers the tools they need; but the reality is millions of kids face additional barriers that require targeted resources. Unfortunately, this bill turns its back on these kids by block granting all funding for English language learners, migrant students, and at- risk students and lets the funding be spent elsewhere. What is more, it eliminates requirements that schools improve the education of English language learners each year. By removing accountability for the achievement and learning gains of Latinos and English language learners, this bill ignores the real needs of kids and families across our communities. Mr. Speaker, a Latino child in Phoenix deserves every resource he or she needs to succeed. That is why I strongly support the Democratic substitute amendment to H.R. 5 offered by my colleague Congressman Scott. This alternative recognizes the needs of Latino students and ensures proper oversight that we know is necessary. I urge all my colleagues to oppose H.R. 5 and its dangerous provisions for Latino students.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment that will reaffirm Congress' support for the enforcement of grazing fees on public lands. Grazing on public lands is a privilege, not a right, and it is critical that individual ranchers who use these lands abide by the law and pay their fair share. My commonsense amendment simply confirms that grazing permits or leases should not be issued to anyone who does not comply with BLM regulations. My amendment does not penalize people for forgetting to repair a fence or for forgetting to make a payment once or twice. Rather, this amendment ensures that egregious violations of grazing regulations are not going to be allowed to happen under the taxpayers' watch, as there are American taxpayers who work every day to ensure that all of their regulations are met. Mr. Chairman, revenues from grazing fees go toward the management, maintenance, and improvement of public rangeland. The vast majority of ranchers understands how important these efforts are and pay their fees on time, but some ranchers are outright refusing to pay their grazing fees. One particular rancher, who is well known to the media, has been more than $1 million in arrears since 1993. He has ignored the executive and judicial branches of our government, expanding his herds further onto our lands without permission. Unauthorized grazing, such as in this case, has the potential to destroy habitat for protected species and to damage public property. In addition, he has instigated volatile situations that has put the lives of local and Federal Government officials at risk. Unbelievably, some in this body have actually applauded these dangerous actions. That is simply irresponsible. Mr. Chairman, I strongly suspect that, if anyone in my congressional district in Phoenix forcibly resisted paying the Federal Government more than $1 million, he or she would be in handcuffs instead of on television or meeting with potential Presidential candidates. Ultimately, however, this amendment is about more than one man. It is about upholding the basic principles that our laws should be applied fairly to everyone who lives in this country and uses its public lands. Mr. Chairman, we must ensure that egregious violations of grazing regulations are not financed by the American taxpayer. To that end, I hope all Members will support this critical amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chairman, my amendment will help ensure that all communities are able to participate in decisions that shape the National Park Service. Environmental justice is defined as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people--regardless of race, color, national origin, or income--with respect to our Nation's environmental laws and policies. This amendment represents an important step towards that goal. The NPS has a robust planning, environment, and public comment database and Web site, known as PEPC. This Web site is used for consultation and providing information on planning issues such as management plans, construction projects, environmental assessments, and environmental impact statements. This Web site is how the users of the National Park Service can participate in NPS decisionmaking. Unfortunately, however, PEPC is only available in English--no Spanish, none of the Asian languages spoken by the fastest growing segment of our population, and none of the indigenous languages of our Native American brothers and sisters. To address this shortcoming, my amendment will provide $1 million to update PEPC. This funding will provide translation of the contents of PEPC to the public, the ability of the public to provide input into the PEPC process in the most commonly spoken languages, and informing affected communities of the improvements. Mr. Chairman, America is becoming more and more diverse every day, and our land management agencies must adapt to it. It is critical that new and growing community can access our public lands and services. They are the new users and stewards that Federal land management agencies such as the National Park Service must engage as it prepares for its centennial. To reach these Americans, the NPS will need improved tools to clearly communicate with people who may struggle to comprehend materials in English. That is exactly what my amendment intends to accomplish. This measure will help the Park Service and the Department of the Interior to achieve their performance benchmarks. One of the key measures of the Department's environmental justice outcomes is outreach to minority and underserved communities. Executive Order 13116 states that all Federal agencies shall provide access to services for persons with limited English proficiency. By offering a Web interface in multiple languages, NPS will increase its relevance to minority communities and help the Department of the Interior to make progress towards this very important requirement. Mr. Chairman, we can all agree that engaging the public on important decisions that affect their communities is a linchpin of our system of government. When all communities are afforded access to the decisionmaking process, we improve the outcomes of those decisions and we strengthen our democracy. I hope all Members will join me in supporting this critical amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of affirming marriage equality and providing equal protection guarantees to LGBT Americans throughout our country. Mr. Speaker, the overwhelming majority of the American public supports marriage equality. They know that same-sex couples should have access to dignity and security that only marriage can provide. In 37 States in our Nation, this is already a reality. Today, more than 70 percent of our population live in jurisdictions where they are free to marry whom they love. However, at this very moment, marriage discrimination is still openly practiced in 13 States, taking away the securities and protections, financial and otherwise, that many Americans have, but not our LGBT Americans. Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker; the failure or prohibition to recognize and allow same-sex couples to marry is discrimination. The fight for marriage equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters is one of the great civil rights battles of our lifetime, and it continues through our tireless efforts to achieve full equality under the law for all. A positive Supreme Court decision on marriage is an important step towards ending the discrimination that too many American families are suffering because of where they live and whom they love. Mr. Speaker, it is the year 2015. It is well past time we end the discrimination against our LGBT Americans.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Georgie Goode, a longtime Phoenix educator, and community activist, who passed away recently at the age of 87. Born to Horace H.S. and Georgia Stroud in 1928, Mrs. Goode led a remarkable life that can serve as an example to young people in our communities. She was a Phoenix treasure--an educator, school board leader, activist, mother and grandmother who inspired our community in countless, immeasurable ways. Raised near Atlanta in segregated schools, she would go on to graduate from Spelman College, a historically black liberal arts college for women and later received a master's degree from Atlanta University. Mrs. Goode arrived in Phoenix in the 1950s, where she would marry Mr. Calvin C. Goode. In her time in Phoenix, she was a tremendous leader, serving as a City of Phoenix Councilwoman for 22 years. She was passionately committed to strengthening education and did so through her work on the board of the Phoenix Elementary School District and Phoenix Union High School District, as well as a teacher in the Roosevelt School District. Mrs. Goode was also a very active member of several community boards, where she was instrumental in providing basic amenities for several neighborhoods, such as paved roads, streetlights, and a library. Mr. Speaker, Georgia Goode was a pillar of the Phoenix community. Her lifelong commitment to education, building strong neighborhoods, and mentoring those around her will live on. I am deeply honored to recognize Georgie Goode's storied life. She will be missed by many, but her impact on our communities will endure for generations to come.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, the strength of our communities depends on the health and well-being of our families. Unfortunately, millions of families across our Nation, including thousands in Arizona, are impacted by Alzheimer's and dementia. June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. It is my hope that we can come together--Republicans and Democrats--and commit to give researchers the resources they need to combat Alzheimer's and other diseases, but also to make sure patients and families have the care and support they need. Policies like paid leave, caregiver support, workforce training, and long-term care options must be expanded if we truly want to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's. These policies are especially important for women and communities of color. Hispanics are 1.5 times as likely to have Alzheimer's as their White counterparts, and African Americans are twice as likely. Studies have also demonstrated that socioeconomic factors play a role in the disparities of Alzheimer's. This is completely unacceptable. Mr. Speaker, in America your health and the health of your family should not depend on your income or your ZIP Code. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure all American families--including those affected by Alzheimer's and dementia--have access to the support and care they deserve.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment that would prevent the FAA from moving forward with plans to redesign the Phoenix metroplex airspace. Let me explain why it is important to my city. Imagine living in a quiet neighborhood, then waking up one morning to discover dozen of planes suddenly have been roaring over your head. Next, imagine the frustration of running a business, raising a family, or even trying to get a good night's sleep when your windows are constantly rattling because of the noise of passing aircraft. Finally, imagine that all of this discomfort was both needless and avoidable, that it was caused by out-of- touch bureaucrats who rerouted major flight paths over your community without bothering to consult the people that live there. Unfortunately, for thousands of Phoenix residents, this is not a hypothetical situation. In September of last year, the FAA instituted new flight paths for the aircraft departing from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, without any notice for anybody, without any notice to our neighbors. For too many members of my community, these changes have meant more noise and a lower quality of life. Disturbingly, the FAA altered these flight paths without seeking local input, failing to consult with the community members or civic leaders in the Phoenix area. Not only that, but the FAA also failed to provide a report that was mandated by the previous Congress on Sky Harbor on last year's FAA bill about how it planned to do and change with the patterns. It is now more than 2 months overdue, with no response yet from the FAA. Mr. Chairman, this isn't how our government is supposed to run, and this is not how the FAA is supposed to operate. I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Arizona.

Mr. GALLEGO

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute, congratulate and recognize Col. Alfred Robert French II, M.D., for his distinguished military career and years of dedicated service to our nation as we celebrate his upcoming 89th birthday. Col. French II was raised in Bisbee, AZ and attended Bisbee High School, Wentworth Military Academy and Valley Forge Military Academy, graduating in 1944. Upon graduation, Col. French sought immediate induction into the U.S. Army and his journey in the service of our nation began in a crowded ship that left Brooklyn, New York, bound for Le Havre, France. Upon arrival, Col. French II was requisitioned by the 61st Signal Battalion of the Third Army and began his service as a driver and a courier in Eider Oberstein, Germany. On occasion, he would drive through Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and France, all in one day. He also spent time in the Saar Protectorate, and then moved to Neckersulm, Germany, where he served as a Guard in a Displaced Persons (DP) camp. Col. French was eventually transferred to Heidelberg, Germany and assigned to the 79th field Artillery group. There, Col. French II had the honor of attending General Patton's funeral service. Col. French II returned to Phoenix, AZ, and studied at the University of Arizona. Soon after, however, he decided to continue his service to our country by reenlisting in the Army. He was deployed to Japan with the Army of Occupation and subsequently participated in the first battle of the Korean War as part of Task Force Smith, the first U.S. ground maneuver unit to enter combat in Korea. Throughout his years of service, Col. French II has won numerous awards and distinctions, including the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Korean Service Medal, and the UN Service Medal. After the war, Col. French II returned to Phoenix, AZ, and utilized the G.I. Bill to receive a B.S. from Arizona State University. He later graduated from Tulane Medical School with a specialty in Ophthalmology in 1959 and joined his father, Harry French, M.D., in private practice. Col. French II joined the Army National Guard in 1976 and served until 1993. Mr. Speaker, Col. Alfred French II is a proud member of the Greatest Generation. He fought for our freedom in two different wars and has lived a life defined by service and integrity. I am deeply honored to recognize all that Col. French II has achieved and pleased to congratulate him as he celebrates his 89th birthday.

Mr. GALLEGO

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

Mr. GALLEGO. Yes, I am opposed.

Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill. It will not delay the bill, kill the bill, or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will proceed immediately to final passage, as amended. As Members of Congress, we must always honor our promises to the men and women who serve in our military. Unfortunately, I know firsthand what happens when Washington fails our troops on the battlefield and when we come home. I fought the Iraq war on the ground. I was shot at and experienced IED attacks, but because Congress didn't follow through on its promises, our vehicles didn't have the proper armor they needed. This failure cost my friends their lives. Later, when I got home, my friends and I suffered needlessly. When my friends and I got home, we suffered needlessly because of a veterans healthcare system that was shortchanged and mismanaged. These failures of leadership are what encouraged me to run for office, to ensure that my generation of leaders takes better care of our troops than we were taken care of. That is why I am offering this amendment. It is to make good on Congress' promise to give our military men and women a raise. The amendment will lock in a 2.3 percent increase for all of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. Last year, one in four members of our military had to rely on food pantries and other charities just to make ends meet. That is a disgrace. Mr. Speaker, our troops deserve a raise. My amendment does something else that is just as important. It ensures that even if Congress shuts down the Federal Government, all of our brave men and women in uniform will still get paid. Why should our servicemen and -women miss their paychecks just because we can't do our jobs? Why am I offering this amendment now? Because Republicans don't appear to have learned the lessons of the chaos and confusion they caused by shutting down the government in 2013. Today, my Republican friends are risking another government shutdown by resorting to budget gimmicks, relying on war funding to pay for more routine operations and maintenance. That is completely irresponsible. My Republican friends are fond of comparing the Federal budget to a family budget. Mr. Speaker, working families, military families can't rely on a special slush fund to pay for their daily expenses, and Congress should not either. We must protect our troops from the consequences of this Republican leadership's refusal to confront the realities of sequestration. That is why this amendment is so critical. Yesterday, Speaker Boehner said voting against this bill would be shameful and that we would be turning our back on our troops. As a marine and a combat veteran, I can tell you that the Speaker is wrong. There is no shame in voting against a bill that creates uncertainty for our military and risks another dangerous government shutdown. Mr. Speaker, the real shame would be to vote against the amendment that gives our men and women the raise and certainty they deserve. I yield back the balance of my time.

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