Jimmy Gomez

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Chair, I believe that the American people are well aware that this administration, the Trump administration, has taken steps to sabotage the Affordable Care Act, and now my party, the Democrats, are taking major steps to reverse it. But, as we do so, we should also address health equity. My amendment will ensure that the ACA navigators can and should refer Americans to community-based organizations that also address social needs tied to health outcomes. Social factors like your ZIP Code, income, race, ethnicity, and language ability all play a major role in one's health. A good example in the communities I represent is housing and homelessness. Without adequate housing, it is hard to address people's healthcare needs. At a recent roundtable I had with hospitals, community health centers, and other medical professionals, they made clear that homelessness profoundly impacts people's and their patients' health. Hospitals like L.A. County-USC are looking at homelessness as a health risk factor. What does that mean? That means, when you get checked into L.A. County-USC, they not only determine do you have a family history of preexisting conditions like heart disease and hypertension, have you suffered from alcoholism, they not only consider that, but now they put on the board, right above the patient, ``Homeless.'' The reason why is that you might be able to take care of their underlying healthcare condition, but, if they end up back on the street days later, then their health outcomes will be negatively impacted. So organizations in our communities that are not necessarily healthcare related can play a critical role in addressing healthcare outcomes. Navigators must understand what our constituents are facing. They can meet people where they are and are well positioned to refer them to organizations that can improve that individual's long-term healthcare outcome and also reduce costs. We know that the Trump administration is undermining ObamaCare, and we need to reverse it with this legislation. Yet, at the same time, we must improve health equity to ensure all Americans have meaningful access to care. My amendment would do just that: improve health equity, lower costs, and help Americans from all backgrounds get and stay healthy. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of this amendment. I would like to point out that oftentimes the opposition party talks about States' rights, but when it comes to fighting for climate, cleaning up our air and our water, making sure that people can combat a climate crisis, then: Do you know what? We are going to get involved. We are going to stop these States from doing something that they have been doing. California is a leader in combating climate change--a leader. We have reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and we are on target to implement a lot of our top goals: 100 percent renewable energy and carbon neutrality by 2045, zero-emission vehicles, and curbing greenhouse gas emissions. I also, when I was in the State legislature, passed a law that said that more of the money from greenhouse gas emission fees must go to the most disadvantaged and the most impacted communities of climate change. That means that not only are we reducing our carbon footprint, but we are also giving resources directly back to these communities. So let's not get in the way. Let's not stop California's progress, because it is a leader for not only the country, but the world.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Rick Phillips, Senior Director of the Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan (PSEP) at SoCalGas, one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies. As the Sr. Director of PSEP, Mr. Phillips oversees a multi-year, three- billion-dollar project that advances SoCalGas' natural gas transmission. This project requires him to oversee a team of 800 contractors and manage 230 projects that range from San Diego to Visalia. In over 35 years at Sempra Energy utilities companies (SoCalGas & SDG&E), Mr. Phillips has held various leadership roles such as Director of Engineering, Director of Supply Management, Director of Regional Operations, and Director of Underground Storage. As Program Director in IT, Mr. Phillips led a half-billion dollar IT upgrade project that made improvements to GIS, call centers, and field workforce applications. Previously, Mr. Phillips graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Engineering from UC Irvine, and he served on the UC Riverside Foundation Board of Trustees and the Industry Advisory Board for UC Riverside's Anderson School of Management. Mr. Phillips has demonstrated tremendous leadership within his company and the 34th Congressional district through his direct involvement in community projects, and by mentoring young professionals at the Gas Company. It is leaders like him that keep paving the path for future generations to continue the positive impacts in our communities. I ask all members to join with me in commending Mr. Phillips for his 35 years of hard work, leadership, and mentorship of young professionals at SoCalGas & SDG&E.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Korean Independence Movement. One hundred years ago, Korea was not a free nation but lived under the rule of Japan. March 1st commemorates the start of Korea's independence movement from Japanese colonialism and 100 years ago from this day, the people of Korea united to fight for their freedom. On March 1, 1919, a group of incredibly brave individuals banded together across the nation and declared their freedom in a proclamation of Korean Independence. These individuals started a movement that not only extended throughout the Korean peninsula, but across the world. In the struggle for freedom, many Koreans were imprisoned and killed. Today we recognize the Koreans who courageously fought to defend their home, people, and heritage. As the Member of Congress representing California's 34th District and home to the largest Korean population in the country, I would like to recognize this significant day and all those who fought for independence. I ask all Members to join with me in celebrating the centennial of the March 1st Korean Independence Movement.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today on the 116th anniversary of Korean American Day, which recognizes the first wave of Korean immigrants who arrived to the United States on January 13, 1903. They reached our country in pursuit of the American Dream, determined to secure a better life for themselves and their families. They served as farm workers, wage laborers, and section hands, laying the groundwork for the success of their children and future generations to come. Today, our Nation is home to nearly 2 million Korean Americans who enrich every aspect of American life. They embody the ideals that define our country: hard work, resilience, and community spirit. I am proud to represent the largest Korean population in the country in California's 34th Congressional District, and I am honored to reintroduce this resolution in the 116th Congress, recognizing their contribution 116 years after their arrival. Please join me in acknowledging the generation of Korean Americans-- the dreamers, the trailblazers, and the visionaries--who have realized the American Dream and continue to inspire us all.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the bold vision and stewardship of Omar Brownson during his tenure as founding Executive Director and President at River LA. Omar led efforts to transform the Los Angeles River, bringing renewed interest and a holistic approach to restoring its 51-mile expanse. Since 2010, Omar has helped forge new partnerships that traverse public, private, and philanthropic sectors, fostering creativity and innovation. The vastness of the Los Angeles River and the diversity of the communities it connects create unique challenges that demand unique leadership. Through forward-thinking initiatives, Omar has been able to tackle these challenges through a wider lens--seeing opportunities to address inequity and climate change. The history of the Los Angeles River is written by many and Omar has become squarely embedded in that history. Through the passionate collaboration of all those committed to its future, our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the beauty of this natural resource. As policy makers, advocates, and community leaders, we must all continue working together to create policies that ensure the protection and vitality of all of our planet's natural resources, including the Los Angeles River. I ask all members to join me in commending Omar Brownson for his incredible dedication to the Los Angeles River.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, I was inadvertently detained on roll call vote 418. Had I been present to vote, I would have voted ``nay.''

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate the Glassell Park Improvement Association (``GPIA'') on their 50 years of continued leadership in and dedication to making Glassell Park the vibrant and prosperous community it is today. Founded in 1968, the GPIA was established to promote community values and improve the quality of life for residents of Glassell Park, a neighborhood located north of Dodger Stadium in Northeast Los Angeles. Today, GPIA is one of the oldest neighborhood improvement associations in the City of Los Angeles. The GPIA is committed to safeguarding and enhancing the quality of life for those who live, work, and play in Glassell Park. Members of the GPIA serve their community by contributing their time and energy into planting trees, hosting community clean-ups, and leading beautification projects year-round . One of the GPIA's most noteworthy projects is the planting of a small pine. Since 1968, this pine has become a centerpiece of the community. To that end, I ask all Members to join with me in commending the Glassell Park Improvement Association for their unwavering commitment to improving this wonderful community over the past 50 years.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill would give inspectors general the ability to subpoena witnesses to testify. This would be a significant new authority. Although I believe most IGs would act responsibly, it is important that we include safeguards to protect against potential abuse of this new authority. This bill includes several such safeguards. The bill would require an IG, before issuing a subpoena, to go through two reviews. The first review would be conducted by the Council of Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency. A panel of three council members would have to approve the subpoena before the IG could issue it. The second review would be conducted by the attorney general, who would have the opportunity to block a subpoena if it would interfere with an ongoing investigation. The bill attempts to strike a careful balance in granting IGs the authority to interview witnesses outside of the government while also providing these important checks against potential abuse. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we can all agree that agencies should be transparent about what guidance is currently in effect for agency employees. During committee consideration of this legislation, Democratic members raised concerns that the bill should not be used for a purpose other than simple transparency. Unfortunately, the Senate sponsor of the companion legislation was quoted as stating that the bill could be used to eliminate guidance issued during President Barack Obama's administration by making those guidance documents available for disapproval under the Congressional Review Act. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority for working with minority to address the concerns expressed in committee. The majority agreed to include a provision in the bill that clarifies that this bill will not be used to influence whether guidance falls under the Congressional Review Act. The bill we are considering today states that ``Nothing in this Act may be construed to affect whether a guidance document qualifies as a rule for purposes of chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code.'' There are additional improvements I believe should be made to the bill. For example, the definition in the bill of what would be considered a guidance document remains very broad, and it is unclear about who decides what is considered a guidance document. The bill also makes no exceptions for national security or other sensitive documents. However, I do not object to this bill moving forward, but I do hope the majority will continue to work with all Members as this legislation moves through the legislative process. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking Representative Foxx for her leadership on this important piece of legislation and working closely with me. I also want to thank the staff, who spent countless hours over the past months negotiating and drafting this legislation. I know it might come as a surprise to see a working class progressive Member of Congress from Los Angeles working with a conservative Member from North Carolina. But with some common sense on both sides of the aisle, we can come together to solve problems facing working families across the country. So I hope that Congress can come together, as we have, to make progress. The GREAT Act is a straightforward bill that seeks to modernize the grant reporting process by standardizing the information reported by grant recipients. By simplifying the grant reporting process, the GREAT Act will create a more open and transparent grant process for all recipients. In Los Angeles, that means greater opportunities for organizations working to make government work better for my constituents. When signed into law, this bill will help universities, city departments, and other organizations automate their recording costs, reduce compliance costs, and focus their energy where it belongs--on maximizing millions in Federal grants to Los Angeles to make it a more prosperous city. By making grant reports machine readable and fully searchable, the GREAT Act will also improve the performance of the grants process and break down barriers to grants. Nonprofits and local groups will have better access to Federal grants so they can leverage funds to maximize their impact. This bipartisan effort represents a major step toward ensuring government works as efficiently as possible for all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with Representative Foxx and others to continue our bipartisan efforts to help government work better, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the GREAT Act, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4431. This measure would authorize agencies to pay interest on military service deposits in cases in which administrative error causes interest to be due. Military servicemembers who transition to civilian service may elect to have past military service factored into their Federal pensions by making payments to the civilian retirement fund. These payments are intended to align with the contribution to the pension fund the employees would have made for their years of service in the military. Unfortunately, current law requires these payments to be paid within 2 years of starting Federal service. After this date, interest is assessed on any outstanding payments. Sometimes agencies make mistakes calculating the deposit amount that is due. In these cases, it is only fair that the agencies that made the errors should pay the accrued interest. Under current law or regulation, not all agencies have the authority to pay such accrued interest. This bill would close that loophole. I thank Representative Carter and Chairman Gowdy for working with us after committee markup to add provisions in the bill that would make similar changes to title 5 regarding the service and deposits for VISTA and Peace Corps volunteers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 4431, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5896 would address issues that arose from implementation of the 2014 version of the bill by making technical and clarifying changes. The bill would require that newly hired workers receive the basic rate of pay until they complete initial training. It would also allow workers to elect to perform 90 or 100 hours per pay period and receive premium pay above their basic rate. This would help incentivize workers to move into these important positions. The bill would also remove the requirement that the agency limit a worker's tour of duty to control retirement benefits. In exchange, it would limit the amount of overtime treated as retirement-credible basic pay during the period used to calculate annuities. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, ZIP Codes organize the country to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of mail for millions of Americans. The postal service has the authority to establish ZIP Codes and adjust their boundaries based on changes in delivery and on volume and operational concerns. However, communities, businesses, and other local entities can also voice their concern with ZIP Code boundaries and request adjustments. This bill would require the Postal Service to establish new ZIP Codes for five communities that have each requested and been denied ZIP Code changes. These communities base their ZIP Code requests on concerns such as delay in mail delivery, emergency service response times, and the denial or inconsistent application of services to community members. These are important concerns and should be addressed accordingly. The Postal Service has worked with affected communities to find solutions, and I commend those efforts. This bill would require the ZIP Code changes requested by those communities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the bill before us would make a technical correction to the Real ID Act of 2005. The act incorrectly identified persons from the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau as citizens of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, an entity that has not existed since 1994. This error has caused citizens of these trust territories difficulties because they are often issued only temporary driver's licenses. This, in turn, makes some employers reluctant to hire these citizens and makes it difficult for them to access government services. Mr. Speaker, I support this bill, urge my colleagues to do so as well, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hanabusa).

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies Department (CLS) at California State University, Los Angeles upon its 50th anniversary. Established in 1968, the program has expanded from four classes to 150 courses annually. Created during an era when communities of color stood up for equality and civil rights, this program sought to build a new, positive narrative of Mexican Americans in the U.S., while preparing students to pursue careers in various fields, including education, law, and the social sciences. Since its founding, the CLS program's focus was interdisciplinary and broke with academia's traditional emphasis on specialization to instead focus its study of Mexican Americans through courses in history, culture, political science, psychology, and an emerging Chicano literature. While the scope and breadth of the CLS program has changed over the years, its impact on the minds of our youth has remained constant and is as relevant now as ever before. To create an equitable society, we must acknowledge the systemic inequalities that immigrants and all communities of colors continue to face. Our educational institutions can serve as vehicles toward this end. That is why we must work together as policy makers, educators, community leaders, and students to lead our generation into a future that truly embodies the ideals our country has aspired to since its founding. I ask all members to join with me in commending the CLS program and California State University, Los Angeles for their 50 years of educating Los Angeles' youth for a brighter future.

Mr. GOMEZ

Mr. GOMEZ. Mr. Speaker, William Nguyen is a 32-year-old from my district. His graduation from graduate school was last week, but he missed it because he was jailed while vacationing in Vietnam, imprisoned after taking part in a peaceful demonstration. I am here to stand up for my constituent and ask that he be treated humanely. This young man is a son, brother, and a friend to many. I see his passion for justice in the millennials I represent. Will is part of a generation that cares deeply about the world beyond our borders. They are advocates for the most vulnerable, voices for the voiceless, and now William needs our voices. He needs our collective resolve to help him through this difficult time. Will's case has unified Democrats and Republicans to work together on his behalf. For weeks, we have done everything to build diplomatic efforts needed to bring him home. Today, I am asking all Americans, regardless of their politics, to join us in supporting the Nguyen family. Keep them in your thoughts, in your hearts, and in your prayers.

Mr. GOMEZ

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