Sylvia Garcia

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of the Honorable Gladys Toney Branford. Gladys was born in the Jim Crow South in Madison County, Alabama. To grow up in that era and go on to serve as a judge is truly remarkable. In 1986, then-Mayor Kathy Whitmire appointed her to the bench in Houston, and I had the profound honor of swearing her in. She was a great judge, Mr. Speaker, tough and fair, and always giving everyone a full hearing in their day in court. She built shores of sisterhood as a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta and through her decades in The Links, Incorporated. Above it all, Judge Branford often said that her greatest joy was her family: three accomplished children and six beautiful grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, Judge Branford was a friend and a dear colleague, and it is especially an honor for me to be able to lift her life here today and on the floor of the United States Congress.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding, along with subcommittee ranking member and the co-lead of this bill, Ms. Brownley, and Chairman Bost. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of my bill, the Women Veterans Cancer Care Coordinator Act of 2025. Women veterans are the fastest growing group using VA healthcare services today, and I am proud to say more of them call Texas home than any other State in the Nation. As this population ages--keep in mind the average woman veteran is 54--they become more likely to develop cancers. The average age of women veterans diagnosed with breast cancer is 58, and the average age for reproductive cancers is 55. For many of these veterans, the road ahead is not as clear as it should be. Many VA centers are still building out their services, so often women are connected with community care. However, when they move outside the VA network, problems start to pile up. Records don't transfer and systems don't update with the latest data. That means more phone calls, more waiting, more back and forth, more frustrations. Women veterans and their families could be using this energy and time on their treatment and their journey to recovery. A cancer diagnosis shakes your sense of stability. These women need a care system that works for them, not one that makes them fight to get the care that they need. By connecting them with dedicated coordinators at VA to guide them on their path to remission, we can help these mothers, sisters, and heroes stay in the fight. We made a commitment to these women veterans. Now we must do everything in our power to keep that promise and to save their lives. This is a commonsense bill. It passed out of committee on voice vote, and I trust the same will happen here. I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bob Stein: a friend, a teacher, and a brilliant mind, who passed away last week after living an equally brilliant life. I had the privilege of knowing Bob throughout my entire public service career. When he wasn't cycling, Bob was a professor at Rice University, where he spent 46 years being a leading voice on elections, disaster response, and local government, but to call Bob just a professor wouldn't capture who he truly was. His classroom extended far beyond Rice. He had a remarkable habit of turning local officials into students, and I was proud to be one of them. Bob Stein spent his whole life helping this Nation live up to its promise. To his wife, Marty, and his children, I thank them for sharing him with us. Mr. Speaker, you know that if you planned to run for office in Houston, you had to sit down and talk to Bob Stein. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful city and a grateful nation, I thank Bob. May he enjoy his cycling in Heaven. God bless.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate my longtime friend, Arturo Vargas, as he marks 30 years of extraordinary leadership with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and the NALEO Educational Fund. As a former President of NALEO, I know the kind of dedication it takes to build lasting impact. And for three decades, Arturo has done just that. He has helped shape the civic landscape for Latinos in this country--not by chasing headlines, but by doing the work. The hard, necessary, behind-the-scenes work of building power, lifting up leaders, and making sure our voices are counted. Under Arturo's leadership, NALEO has become a powerhouse for civic engagement training elected officials, defending voting rights, championing fair representation, and connecting communities to the ballot box. He's helped demystify the process of government and made sure it actually works for the people. Arturo knew that in order to elect Latino leaders, he had to become an expert in the systems built against them. He went to Stanford, mastered the ins and outs of redistricting and demographics, and became one of the foremost experts on Latino civic participation. That expertise has helped guide countless policymakers, including many of us in this chamber. If you're a Latino in government, odds are Arturo Vargas has touched your journey. Even before NALEO, Arturo was doing the work at the Mexican America Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), at the National Council of La Raza, and everywhere justice and opportunity were on the line. Arturo's legacy isn't written in stone--it's ongoing, growing, and living in the generations of leaders he's helped raise. He's not done yet, and thank goodness for that. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Arturo Vargas for his years of service, his deep commitment to our democracy, and his unwavering belief in what's possible when every voice is heard and every opportunity is seen.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to a robbery being planned by a felon. In the first 6 months of this administration, Republicans have lost the battle of ideas. Now set on making sure that they don't lose power, they lie and cheat in order to steal the midterm elections. Governor Abbott bent a knee to the felon in the White House, calling an emergency session to redraw congressional maps in Texas. These are maps that he himself approved in 2021. While Texas Hill Country is still reeling in grief and trying to recover from devastating floods, Republicans prove that it is always the right time to do the wrong thing. Texans are struggling and deserve so much better than what Abbott has cooked up for them. This is an attack on democracy and nothing more than a power grab. We must fight them with everything we have because, in this country, the voters choose who they elect and not the other way around.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because there are children in Texas going hungry, and Governor Greg Abbott just made it worse. This week, he vetoed $60 million in State spending for a summer food program that would have helped feed children while school was out. With that one decision, he turned his back on our most vulnerable kids and walked away from $450 million in Federal funding that could have helped struggling families across Texas. Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the Nation. One in four children in our State face hunger. That is 25 percent of our children. Let's be clear: How can you claim to be pro-life and then just let children starve? To paraphrase Matthew: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. Our job is simple: Take care of our kids, feed the hungry, and lift up the families who need us most. I will never stop fighting for them, and I will always put people over politics.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to wish everyone a joyful and proud Pride Month. In Houston, pride runs deep. We hosted one of the first nighttime parades in the country, and today it is the fourth largest in the Nation. It is not just a parade. Groups like Fundacion Latinoamericana De Accion Social, Legacy Community Health, and the Montrose Center are doing the work every day making sure that our LGBTQIA+ neighbors have care, housing, community, and support. That is what we should be focused on. There is so much good that we can be doing. Instead, my Republican colleagues are using their power to bully and target trans kids, children who just want to be safe, make friends, and be themselves. Those kids show more bravery than many of my colleagues here in this Chamber. We should all learn from them. Every young person watching should know I see them, I hear them, and I will fight for them today and every day because in Texas when we say ``all,'' that means all.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, Scripture calls us to help one another. In the Gospel of Matthew it says: I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. . . . I was a stranger, and you invited me in. However, Republicans never come here to talk about poverty or hunger or the sick. It is always about tax cuts, the rich, and the billionaires. Tonight I rise for one of the Houston families they are attempting to hurt. Luisa and Roberto are seniors in my district. They have worked their whole lives, and now they are afraid. They are afraid of what happens when Republicans slash the programs they paid into and now rely on to stay healthy. It is not just them. We hear from moms with cancer, families with disabled children, or families with loved ones in nursing homes, and on and on. They are terrified of losing Medicaid and SNAP. What Republicans are doing is un-American, un-Christian, and unacceptable. Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker. The American people know the difference between leadership and cruelty, and they won't forget who chose cruelty.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, this Police Week, I rise to honor four fallen heroes from the Harris County Sheriff's Office whose names will soon be added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial: Investigator John Coddou was a U.S. Army veteran and a 20-year member of the Harris County Sheriff's Office. His wife said he made people feel seen. Deputy Rondald Bates served 31 years with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. His son Derrick now proudly carries his badge as a deputy. Deputy Brad Sweetman spent 39 years in service, but his main job was simply being a daddy and a paw-paw. Deputy Fernando Esqueda was just 28. He was as good of a musician as he was a crime fighter. These men were patriots. They loved this country, and Texans are safer because of them. Mr. Speaker, I ask that they never be forgotten by this House and that we enter their stories into the Record.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Mother's Day this weekend, I am reminded of a visit that Donald Trump had with Howard Stern. They were talking about marriage and having children, and Howard Stern said something like: Why do you need the headache? He said: ``Oh, I won't do anything to take care of them. I will supply funds, and she'll take care of the kids.'' That is what he thinks of motherhood. That explains why he is offering a one-time $5,000 bonus check to encourage women to have babies. Yet, what good is that when he is cutting maternal healthcare; trashing Medicaid, which pays for 4 in 10 births in our country; and letting childcare costs force moms out of work? Let me be clear. Women want to be moms but don't want to go broke having to raise this child, risk their life with a pregnancy, or lose their child to gun violence. If we are serious about celebrating Mother's Day, let's cut it with the bonus check and bring back the full tax credit and work to expand opportunities and protections for all mothers, not just this Sunday but every day. Happy Mother's Day to all mothers.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, during this past district work period, I met with seniors across my district who are worried about losing the lifelines they depend on: Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. At one event with our seniors, a Social Security worker told us that wait times are exploding. He said that staff are being watched and pushed to quit every single day. In some cities, offices are even closing. These are the people who make sure the checks that our seniors depend on go out. Trump and Elon Musk want them to quit. The Social Security worker told us he felt that he had failed the American people. Let's be clear: He didn't fail us. The Republicans did. That is why I have been out there raising the alarm. Seniors and their families deserve what is coming. Seniors built this country. They paid in, showed up, and earned these benefits. If Republicans think they can slash these lifelines without a fight, they are dead wrong. We put seniors over billionaires.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Pursuit Center for 75 years of extraordinary service to the Houston community. Since its founding in 1950, Pursuit Center has been a leader in advancing inclusion, independence, and opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It all began with a group of determined parents who envisioned a future beyond institutionalization for their children. Their vision took root at the First Opportunity Center, housed in a small farmhouse on Bissonnet Street. From those humble beginnings, Pursuit Center grew into a beacon of hope--expanding to the historic Fondren Mansion and pioneering innovative educational, psychological, and therapeutic programs that laid the foundation for the comprehensive, lifelong support they offer today. From the start, Pursuit Center's mission has been about empowerment, not just care. Today, they provide a full continuum of services-- residential housing, adult day programs, mental health support, integrated healthcare, and vocational training--supporting individuals at every stage of life. Meaningful employment is a critical step toward independence, and Pursuit Center equips individuals with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive in the workforce and lead self- directed lives. The impact is undeniable. Last year alone, Pursuit Center supported more than 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, provided vocational services to over 340 individuals, and delivered residential care to 114 adults across 22 homes. Through their efforts, they have reshaped how Houston sees the disability community-- shifting the conversation from limitations to possibilities. Looking ahead, Pursuit Center is continuing to expand its reach. They are creating more inclusive job opportunities, championing affordable and dignified housing, and building a new East End campus that will serve as a hub for expanded services. Most importantly, they continue to foster a culture of belonging--where every individual is seen, valued, and celebrated. The Pursuit Center's journey reminds us that when we invest in people--especially those too often overlooked--we strengthen our entire society. At a time when division too often runs deep, Pursuit Center leads with compassion, collaboration, and love. Mr. Speaker, Pursuit Center embodies the very best of community, dignity, and heart. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking them for their tireless service and congratulating them on this remarkable milestone.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Green) be removed as a cosponsor from H. Res. 326.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I mentioned earlier that Democrats created a watchdog, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, to stop scams and protect everyday people. One of the most important things they have done recently: They capped bank overdraft fees at $5. If your account goes a few dollars negative and your check bounces, the bank cannot charge you more than $5. Most banks charge between $25 and $35. Again, the cap is $5. Well, for some reason, the Republicans want to get rid of this. I don't know why. Maybe it is because their bank buddies like JPMorgan Chase made about $58 billion in profit last year, and $1 billion of that came from junk fees, just like the overdraft fee Republicans are now trying to allow banks to raise. However, Republicans aren't worried about that. They don't worry about bounced checks because Republicans live in a different world, a world where banks win and families lose. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.'' Vote for people, not for banks.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, known as CFPB, was created for one reason: to protect everyday people from getting ripped off, especially when tech companies start acting like banks. If a tech company wants to be trusted with your money, it should play by the same rules as any bank. That is what the CFPB was doing. It was making sure the rules apply to everyone. Yet, Elon Musk doesn't want to follow the rules. He wants to turn X, formerly known as Twitter, into a payment platform without any accountability and no rules. If you get scammed, that is too bad. No refunds, nothing, nada. The people who will get hurt are those people like in my district who I represent: young people, working families, and folks just starting to save for the future. We are fighting to protect them because the CFPB isn't just a watchdog. It is a lifeline. We are not going to stand by while Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their billionaire buddies try to kill it.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, yes, that is me in 1977. I was a young law student representing Texas at the historic International Women's Year conference in Houston. Ann Richards was right behind me. She was getting ready to make a speech on the ERA. She would go on to be Governor, and I went on to serve in the city, county, State, and now here in Federal Government. That day, we were doing what I am doing right now: fighting for the equal rights amendment, fighting to guarantee equal rights for all women under the Constitution. I still have the ERA pin I wore that day. I have kept it for nearly 50 years because the fight isn't over. This week, I stood with powerful women in Congress to introduce a resolution that removes our final barrier: the arbitrary deadline set decades ago. If it passes, the ERA becomes the 28th Amendment. We must pass this resolution. We must remove all barriers to women because our rights don't have deadlines. Our rights are human rights.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to honor a friend, a colleague, and a leader who we have lost--someone whose absence we feel deeply. To me, Raul Grijalva will always be ``Mr Chairman.'' Now, to be clear, I never served on a committee with Chairman Grijalva. But you didn't need to be in committee to feel his presence. When he spoke, people listened. When he acted, it mattered. His leadership left a mark. For more than two decades in Congress, Raul was a force for good. A champion for Native communities, for our environment, for the God-given right to clean water and clean air--for the future of this country. He reminded us, over and over, that our fight isn't just about the present--it's for the generations coming after us. For the babies, he'd say, for the ones who will inherit this earth. He never lost sight of who he was fighting for. Whether he was standing up for Dreamers, workers, or tribal communities, Chairman Grijalva led with humility, with heart, and with an unwavering belief in doing what's right. He gave voice to the voiceless--and he did it with grace and grit. I was proud to serve alongside him in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. My thoughts are with his family, his staff, and the people of Arizona, who he served with passion and purpose. This Wednesday, my colleagues and I will travel to Tucson to say goodbye to a man of faith, a man of good trouble, a man we loved. I will wish him peace. May God bless him, and may he rest in peace. (Que Dios te bendiga y que descanse en paz).

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an American hero--Sergeant David Loredo--who turns 100 this month. Born on March 20, 1925, in Sinton, Texas, on the Gulf Coast, David's life embodies the grit, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit of our nation. Like so many of his generation, he knew hardship early, picking cotton as a child and learning resilience with every bushel. But fate had bigger plans. His hands, once worn by farm work and concrete, soon carried a rifle and a radio. His feet, once dusted with Texas soil, marched through the jungles of the South Pacific. On March 17, 1945, leading a reconnaissance mission in the Philippines, David was shot alongside his scout. His first thought? That he'd never see his mother again. But he had time--and prayer--on his side. Back home, his mother took advantage of churches staying open 24/7, putting in extra hours praying for his safe return. And return he did. For his service, David received the Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, and multiple campaign honors. After his discharge at Fort Bliss, he came home to Houston, found steady work, and--thanks to the GI Bill--discovered his true craft: watch repair. The same patience that saw him through war now helped him master time itself. A century later, David's story reminds us that faith and determination can carry a man across oceans, through war, and into a life of purpose. Today, we honor not just his years, but the lessons he leaves us: service, resilience, and the precious gift of time well spent. Happy 100th to Sergeant Loredo. The watch keeper keeps on ticking.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for Dreamers, young people brought to this country as children through no fault of their own. Dreamers grew up in our schools, played with our children, pledged allegiance to our flag, and made our country, every single day, strengthened in every way. They are doctors, teachers, lawyers, essential workers, and businessowners. They pay taxes. They keep the American Dream alive, but they still live a life in limbo. Imagine building a life here only to be told to leave for a country you don't even remember, much less sometimes even speak the language. Even the President agrees that it is not fair. Congress must act. More than 70 percent of Americans agree Dreamers deserve citizenship. That is why, yesterday, I reintroduced the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act to give Dreamers the security they deserve and a real path to citizenship. Over 200 Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle joined me in doing that, along with over 100 organizations from across America representing all sectors of our economy. Our message is clear to Dreamers: Their home is here. We will fight for them. ``Si, se puede''; ``Yes, we can.''

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let's be clear about why we have the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It is not some fancy agency. They just simply defend hardworking people. They are the consumers' watchdog. Think about it. We have $21 billion back in people's pockets who were cheated by big banks and corporations and $360 million recovered for veterans who were the victims of fraud. Starting this year, Americans will save $11 billion a year without bank overdraft fees. Republicans are letting the President and Elon Musk burn it down. For what? For the banks? For large corporations? For their billionaire buddies? They don't get to pander to working people while doing the banks' dirty work. We must protect the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We must protect the consumer's watchdog. We must put people's pocketbooks over billionaires and their buddies.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the new chancellor of the Lone Star College System, Mario K. Castillo, the first Latino to ever hold this position. Mario's journey began as a first-generation college and law school graduate. After nearly a decade as an attorney, he joined the Lone Star College System and quickly rose through the ranks from general counsel to vice chancellor to interim president. The fancy titles never kept him from his mission, which was connecting with students and always making sure they had a seat at the table. Leading the college system is no small feat, but Mario has the endurance. He is not just a champion for education. He is also an accomplished ironman, conquering miles of open water and road. If anyone is built for this challenge, it is him. As a chancellor, I know he will keep mentoring students, improving processes, and pushing the next generation to dream big. I congratulate Chancellor Mario Castillo.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Jose Adan Trevino. Born in Brownsville, Texas, Adan began his career as a pharmacist in the East End community of Houston in my district, meeting the community's needs while growing his business. This theme carried throughout his life. In 1977, he founded KXLN, Houston's first Spanish-language TV station, later becoming Univision Houston, and earning him the title of ``Father of Spanish-Language Television.'' We helped start the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce together, which grew to be one of the largest in the country. He was even named one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in America. Adan's greatest title wasn't media mogul, businessman, or chairman. It was daddy and granddaddy. He adored his daughters, Cynthia and Glorianna, and his grandchildren, Jessica, Lauren, Adam, and Blake. His love for them was his proudest achievement and his most enduring legacy. Mr. Speaker, we will miss Adan's warmth, his friendship, and his belief in a better tomorrow for all.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to vote during the vote series today. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call No. 7, H.R. 23--Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act.

Ms. GARCIA of Texas

Ms. GARCIA of Texas. Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to vote on January 7, 2025. Had I been able to vote, I would have voted: No on Roll Call No. 6, H.R. 29--The Laken Riley Act.