Steven Horsford

Mr. HORSFORD

Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, across America, seniors and families are struggling to afford the prescription drugs they need to stay healthy. One of my constituents, Janet, a senior from Las Vegas, shared with me her challenges in obtaining her medications. The blood thinners and cholesterol medications she is prescribed are so expensive that, if it weren't for samples from her cardiologist, she wouldn't be able to obtain them at all. Madam Speaker, seniors like Janet should not have to beg for free samples for access to the medicine they need. That is why I introduced the SPIKE Act, to increase transparency; the Capping Drug Costs for Seniors Act, to cap at $2,000 prescription drug expenses for seniors under Medicare part D; and why I support H.R. 3, the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. Madam Speaker, I urge all my colleagues in this body to come together, and let's pass H.R. 3 together.

Mr. HORSFORD

Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1373, the Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act. This bill ensures that uranium mining will not irreversibly contaminate the sensitive habitats and clean water of the Colorado River watershed, which provides drinking water to nearly 30 million Americans, including some of my constituents in Nevada. While uranium and other hard rock mining can help foster economic activity, as it has done in my home State of Nevada, it can also threaten community health. In my district, I have seen the impacts that uranium contamination can have on local communities in the town of Yerington and the Yerington Paiute Tribe. For decades, uranium contamination has persisted in this area, endangering the health of my constituents and forcing families to stop drinking from their taps, literally having to rely on bottled water. Sadly, cleanup of this site and others like it often takes much longer than it should, leaving families to choose between leaving their homes or living amongst health hazards. Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to work on this bill to support this legislation in a bipartisan tradition and to vote to protect the Grand Canyon region and Colorado River watershed from the damaging impacts of uranium mining.

Mr. HORSFORD

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair and the anchor for this Special Order hour, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, for her commitment, dedication, and service, not just to the people of Detroit but to the people of this great Nation. I join with my colleagues, not only in the Congressional Black Caucus, but this body of government as a whole, in mourning a giant in the legacy of Representative John Conyers. Representative John Conyers was a force to be reckoned with, a leader of the civil rights movement who stood tall in the House of Representatives for more than a half century, the longest serving African American Congressman. During his 53 years as the Representative for the part of Michigan encompassing Detroit, Congressman Conyers fought for the people of his State tooth and nail. Congressman Conyers was known as the dean of the House of Representatives, and he paved the way for all of us who are here this evening. I really believe that we stand on his shoulders. Speaking to his legacy, he was a cofounder of the Congressional Black Caucus. So, the fact that we are now 54 members in number representing more than 84 million people across the country, it was the vision of people like Congressman Conyers and others that allowed the Congressional Black Caucus to come forward. He also led the charge to declare, as has been stated, a national holiday in honor of the great Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., a day Congressman Conyers fought for tirelessly that we now hold in our hearts as a day of remembrance for the legacy of another fearless leader. He also served on two powerful committees as chairman: the House Committee on Oversight and Reform--and we just mourned the passing of the chairman of that great committee, Chairman Cummings--and the House Judiciary Committee, which has great responsibility; and, in both, he never shied away from speaking truth to power. As has been stated by my good friend Congressman Evans, one of his early mottos was: Register, vote, run for office. It is power that counts. So we will continue to harness this power to promote the ideals that Congressman Conyers espoused during his career. I want to note, and I don't think I shared this with Congresswoman Lawrence, but there is a group called the Detroit Connection. Because so many people tend to come to Las Vegas to retire, we have a big contingency of Detroit people, and they have an event every year called the Detroit Connection. They raise money. They provide scholarships. I was so honored one year to have Congressman Conyers come to Las Vegas and attend the event for the Detroit Connection, and it made that group feel so good to know that their champion and their Representative was still there. So, we will use the privilege of serving--I know I will as one of the new, younger Members--to continue to fight for equality and justice for all, just as Congressman Conyers did during his 53 years here on Capitol Hill. Tonight, we honor him with our words, but tomorrow we must honor him with our actions. Congressman Conyers, we will continue the good work you started all those years ago. May you rest in power.

Mr. HORSFORD

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to anchor this Congressional Black Caucus Special Order hour, and I thank our CBC chair, Congresswoman Karen Bass, for her leadership in organizing this effort. For the next 60 minutes, we want to pay a special tribute to Congressman Elijah E. Cummings. The Congressional Black Caucus, the entire country, and this institution suffered a great loss. As a lifelong advocate for justice, equality, and the truth, Congressman Cummings was the true definition of a leader and public servant. To many, Chairman Cummings was a friend and a mentor, but to the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Chairman Cummings was family. Last week, Congress lost a fierce leader, a tireless champion of the people, and my friend, Chairman Elijah Cummings. It is a sad time for Congress, for Maryland, and, in fact, for the entire country. For the next 60 minutes we will hear from members of the Congressional Black Caucus and other colleagues as we pay tribute to a great man. Mr. Speaker, I yield, first and foremost, to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Bass), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for her timely remarks and for her leadership and compassion for our entire Congressional Black Caucus membership during this very difficult time. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Clyburn), the majority whip.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the majority whip for his heartfelt remarks and for sharing his personal reflections on his friendship and service with Chairman Cummings. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lewis), a civil rights icon and a man whom I am very honored to serve with in this body each and every day.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, we as a body extend our sincerest condolences to Chairman Cummings' wife, Dr. Maya Rockeymoore; their children, grandchildren, friends, staff, and all those whom he positively impacted in his life and work. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for sharing her remarks and reflections on his leadership. He definitely had a presence as a dignified leader and chairman, and he personified what it really means to oversee his committee with civility and respect for each Member. I had the honor of serving on that committee during my first tenure in Congress, and I learned a lot and will continue to carry out that leadership. I yield to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Bishop).

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for again sharing his very heartfelt remarks. This body tonight, it is very humbling to be here with each of the Members who have joined us, each one great in their own way. As one of the new Members here in this body, it gives me great pride to be a part of the Congressional Black Caucus and to know that each and every Member has made such significant contributions, not just to their districts, but to the entire country. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush).

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Rush for his encouraging words, the Word that we know we needed, not just the day that we heard of the passing of Chairman Cummings, but the Word that continues to sustain us each and every day. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott), chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, one of the big five, as we call them here in the Congressional Black Caucus.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman and chairman of the Education and Labor Committee. I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson), the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, another great chairman who governs with a steady hand and another example of the wonderful leadership that we have in this body.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for coming to the floor and speaking on behalf of his experience and friendship with Chairman Cummings. As the gentleman said, he really demonstrated a life worth living and an example, an embodiment, definitely for young people and young leaders of what they should do to exemplify a good role model. I thank the gentleman for his remarks. I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her remarks. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who is another great leader. She is one of the co-chairs of the Steering and Policy Committee for the House Democrats and a true champion on so many issues, particularly for women, children, and families.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her heartfelt remarks. Each one of us can tell our own story of our experiences and opportunities that we had to share with Chairman Cummings, and that is really the opportunity that we have tonight during this Special Order hour. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay), who is another person with a great legacy, who continues to serve his constituents with dignity.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressman for coming to the floor to share his remarks. Many experiences have been shared from the Oversight and Reform Committee, from those who served on that committee, those who worked with Chairman Cummings on his staff. He was known to have one of the best staffs here in the House of Representatives, and it is partly because they got to work with such a great chairman. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield), who is the former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Butterfield again for sharing his stories of friendship and how Chairman Cummings really touched his life as an example to so many here in this body. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke), who is my good friend.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman. It has been my great honor to coanchor this Special Order hour with my esteemed colleague, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett. And I want to, again, thank our chairwoman, Karen Bass, for her effort in bringing forward this opportunity for us to all share our reflections. And I just want to say, on my behalf, that Chairman Cummings stood up for, really, the most vulnerable in society, and supported policies to ensure that the next generation of Americans have access to a clean environment, affordable housing, quality healthcare and education, and financial empowerment. Congressman Cummings was a firm believer in the United States Constitution, who fought for equality for all Americans. It is certain that Chairman Cummings did everything in his power, and then some, to defend our country and its institutions, to keep our democracy alive and thriving, despite attacks from within. His legacy of leadership will continue to inspire us all, and his presence in Congress will surely be missed. I hope now that he is resting in power and dancing with the angels, happily, with the knowledge that he set an example of resistance and perseverance, and that we will continue in his footsteps, we will carry on his spirit, and we will carry on his legacy. I now turn this over to the coanchor for this Special Order, my colleague and good friend, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett from the U.S. Virgin Islands, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. HORSFORD

Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today in overwhelming support of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019. Almost 3 years ago, Nevada voters went to the polls and voted to legalize recreational marijuana, making Nevada one of five States to legalize marijuana in the 2016 election. After its legalization, local business owners invested in Nevada's legal cannabis market, creating jobs and opportunity. The Nevada marijuana market quickly exceeded expectations, growing rapidly to become a burgeoning industry. Within 10 months, Nevada also exceeded the initial 1-year projection of tax revenue, bringing in more than $55 million in taxes for our schools, money that would have otherwise flooded the illicit drug market. Today, Nevada raises more revenue from cannabis excise taxes than alcohol excise taxes. Interestingly enough, the marijuana industry did this without incurring vast detriments to society, creating an addiction crisis, or serving as a gateway drug, as marijuana opponents have long argued.

Mr. HORSFORD

Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 113th Anniversary and 95th General Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (AFA) is the first African- American, intercollegiate Greek-lettered fraternity. It was initially a literary and social studies club organized in the 1905-1906 school year at Cornell University but later evolved into a fraternity with a founding date of December 4, 1906. Its aims are ``Manly Deeds, Scholarship, and Love For All Mankind,'' and its motto is ``First of All, Servants of All, We Shall Transcend All.'' Chapters were chartered at Howard University and Virginia Union University in 1907. The fraternity now has over 290,000 members and has been open to men of all races since 1945. Currently, there are more than 730 active chapters in the Americas, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia. It is the largest predominantly African-American fraternity and one of the ten largest collegiate fraternities in the nation. Alpha Phi Alpha is a social organization with a service organization mission and has provided leadership and service during the Great Depression, both World Wars, and the Civil Rights Movement. The fraternity has addressed social issues such as apartheid, AIDS, urban housing, and other economic, cultural, and political issues of interest to people of color. National programs and initiatives of the fraternity include A Voteless People Is a Hopeless People, My Brother's Keeper, Go To High School, Go To College, Project Alpha, and the World Policy Council. It also conducts philanthropic programming initiatives with the March of Dimes, Head Start, the Boy Scouts of America, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Currently the fraternity is involved in a vigorous civic engagement initiative aimed at voter protection and a full census count for people of color. Members of this fraternity include many historical civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., NAACP founder W. E. B. Du Bois. Other world-renowned members include political activist Cornel West, musicians Duke Ellington and Lionel Richie, NBA legend Walt Frazier, Jamaican Prime Minister Norman Manley, Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, Justice Thurgood Marshall, Investor and founder of Vista Equity Partners Robert F. Smith, United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young, Academy Award winning director Barry Jenkins, six time MTV Video Music Awards winning director and choreographer Frank Gatson Jr., the hero of the Nashville Waffle House shooting, James Shaw Jr., and ESPN sportscasters Stuart Scott, Stan Verrett and Jay Harris. Alpha Phi Alpha asserts that through its community outreach initiatives, the fraternity supplies voice and vision to the struggle of African Americans, the African diaspora, and the countless unique problems that affect Black men. The fraternity provides for charitable endeavors through its Education and Building Foundations, providing academic scholarships and shelter to underprivileged families. The fraternity combines its efforts in conjunction with other philanthropic organizations such as Head Start, Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Project Alpha with the March of Dimes, NAACP, Habitat for Humanity, and many Fortune 500 companies. In Las Vegas, since 1964 and 1993 respectively, the Theta Pi Lambda and Sigma Psi Chapters hold high the light of Alpha. We boast in our ranks Brothers Chief State Supreme Court Justice Michael Douglas; Chief District Judge Addeliar D Guy, III; Dr. James McMillan, the 1st Black Dentist in Nevada; Rev. Dr. Marion Bennet; Dr. Bob Bailey, the 1st Black TV Personality in Nevada; Ricki Y. Barlow, Las Vegas City Councilman; NV Assemblyman Steven Brooks; and Cedric Crear, Las Vegas City Councilman. Over the past 5 years they have reinvested over $140,000 in scholarships and boast a 100 percent college acceptance rate, through the Alpha Men and Divas of Tomorrow Mentoring program.

Mr. HORSFORD

Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, thank you to my colleague from Washington for managing this important bill. I rise today to speak in support of the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act. We cannot afford to let this 40 percent excise tax on employer-sponsored health plans to take effect. This tax would increase costs for America's working and middle-class families. For many working families, necessary medical treatment remains tragically unaffordable due to exorbitant out-of-pocket costs and deductibles. If this so-called Cadillac tax isn't repealed, this crisis of affordability for medical care will only worsen. To avoid the excise tax, employers will, in all likelihood, reduce the value of their plans and reduce benefits and even increase their workers' share of the cost. This would result in increases in out-of- pocket costs for more than 180 million workers, including 1.3 million people in my home State of Nevada, and it would decrease access to quality insurance plans across the country. This vote helps labor throughout the country, including the Culinary Workers Union in my home State. Members' benefits, wages, and overall compensation allow them to stay afloat financially, and to quote the international union president for UNITE HERE, D. Taylor: ``They drive used cars, not Cadillacs, and their healthcare does not include spa treatments.'' At a time when this is the reality for our constituents, Congress should make sure that employers doing the right thing and providing high-value health insurance to their employees are supported.

Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, Congress should make sure that employers doing the right thing and providing high-value health insurance to their employees are supported, not penalized with an egregious tax. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from UNITE HERE and several other national organizations.

Mr. HORSFORD. Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues today to stand with America's working men and women and support the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act and vote in favor of abolishing this tax.

Mr. HORSFORD

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague and coanchor for the Congressional Black Caucus, Delegate Stacey Plaskett, on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus for this Special Order hour where we can reflect on the priorities facing the American public. This week, this body will be voting on the topic of raising the minimum wage and giving Americans a well-deserved raise and the impact that that would have not only on the workforce at large but, specifically, for Black workers and families across the United States. Why is this so important as we touch on the issues of the day? According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there is no place in America where a full-time worker making the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour can afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Additionally, many working people, particularly working women and Black workers, are still facing persistent and even, in some cases, worsening wage gaps since 2000. The wage gap between Black and White workers has grown significantly. So for this hour, Mr. Speaker, we will discuss the issues affecting American workers and why it is imperative that this House take up the WAGE Act that we will be considering later this week. I am honored to have with us here this evening several members of the Congressional Black Caucus who will share their thoughts, concerns, and priorities for this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. Lawrence).

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Michigan for bringing forward her commitment and leadership on these important issues and sharing her support for the Raise the Wage Act, which this body will be considering later this week. Just before we started this Special Order hour, one of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle came up and talked about the negative impact of raising the Federal minimum wage. It is so interesting that CEOs for the 350 largest U.S. companies on average were paid $18.9 million in 2017, which is a 17 percent increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, wages for the average U.S. worker grew by 0.2 percent during that time. How is it okay that CEO pay can go up 17 percent, and the average CEO for the 350 largest U.S. companies can, on average, be paid $19 million, and we can't afford to give America a raise? On average, controlling for age, gender, and education, Black workers are paid 16.2 percent less than White workers. According to the Census Bureau--which is why it is so important for people to participate in the Census, so that we have this vital data--in 2016, the average household income for a White family was $80,720. For a Black family, that number sat at $38,555, less than half of what an average White family took home. That affects every aspect of that family's life, from their ability to afford housing to healthcare to being able to put food on the table and put gas in the car so that they can make it to their work. We believe that one job should be enough and that people should be able to have a livable wage to take care of themselves and their families. I urge my colleagues throughout this body, particularly those on the other side, that if they are going to come to this floor this week and oppose giving Americans a raise, then they have to be able to explain why they support CEO pay increasing more than 17 percent in one given year while U.S. worker wages grew at less than 0.2 percent during that same time. Workers deserve a wage increase. Their wages have been stagnant for far too long. That is why we are encouraging this body to bring up the Raise the Wage Act. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Evans), who is my good friend. He is a gentleman with whom I have the honor of serving on the Ways and Means Committee. The Representative likes to talk about the history of his great city, and I know he is here to also talk about why the constituents of that great city deserve a wage increase.

Mr. HORSFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania and again thank him for his dedication and commitment on behalf of his constituents in Philadelphia, in bringing their voice to this process. General Leave