Katie Hill

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, this is the last speech that I will give from this floor as a Member of Congress. I wasn't ready for my time here to come to an end so soon. It is a reality I am still grappling with, and I will be for a long time to come. I expected, or I at least hoped, to be here for as long as the voters of California's 25th District deemed me worthy of the honor of representing them. I thought I could make a difference here in making our community, our great country, and the world a better place for generations to come. I, like so many of my colleagues, ran for office because I believed that our political system was broken, controlled by the powerful and the wealthy, ignoring and failing the regular people that it is supposed to serve. I came here to give a voice to the unheard in the halls of power. I wanted to show young people, queer people, working people, and imperfect people that they belong here because this is the people's House. I fell short of that, and I am sorry. To every young person who saw themselves and their dreams reflected in me, I am sorry. To those who felt like I gave them hope in one of the darkest times in our Nation's history, I am sorry. To my family, my friends, my staff, my colleagues, my mentors, and to everyone who has supported and believed in me, I am sorry. To the thousands of people who spent hours knocking on doors in the hot summer Sun, who made countless phone calls, and who sacrificed more than I could ever know to give everything they could in every possible way so that I could be here, I am so, so sorry. And to every little girl who looked up to me, I hope that one day you can forgive me. The mistakes I made and the people I have hurt that led to this moment will haunt me for the rest of my life, and I have to come to terms with that. Ever since those images first came out, I barely left my bed. I have ignored all the calls and the texts. I went to the darkest places that a mind can go, and I have shed more tears than I thought were possible. I have hidden from the world because I am terrified of facing the people that I let down. But I made it through because the people who loved me most dragged me back into the light and reminded me that I was stronger than that. To those of you who were by my side in my worst moments--you know who you are--I love you. I am so grateful, and I will never forget. And I am here today because so many of the people I let down--people close to me, supporters, colleagues, people I have never even met--told me to stand back up and that, despite all of my faults, they still believed in me and they were still counting on me. And I realized that hiding away and disappearing would be the one unforgivable sin. I will never shirk my responsibility for this sudden ending to my time here, but I have to say more because this is bigger than me. I am leaving now because of a double standard. I am leaving because I no longer want to be used as a bargaining chip. I am leaving because I didn't want to be peddled by papers and blogs and websites, used by shameless operatives for the dirtiest gutter politics that I have ever seen and the rightwing media to drive clicks and expand their audience by distributing intimate photos of me taken without my knowledge, let alone my consent, for the sexual entertainment of millions. I am leaving because of a misogynistic culture that gleefully consumed my naked pictures, capitalized on my sexuality, and enabled my abusive ex to continue that abuse, this time with the entire country watching. I am leaving because of the thousands of vile, threatening emails, calls, and texts that made me fear for my life and the lives of the people that I care about. Today is the first time I have left my apartment since the photos taken without my consent were released, and I am scared. I am leaving because, for the sake of my community, my staff, my family, and myself, I can't allow this to continue, because I have been told that people were angry when I stood strong after the first article was posted and that they had hundreds more photos and text messages that they would release bit by bit until they broke me down to nothing, while they used my faults and my past to distract from the things that matter most. I am leaving because there is only one investigation that deserves the attention of this country, and that is the one that we voted on today. Today, I ask you all to stand with me and commit to creating a future where this no longer happens to women and girls. Yes, I am stepping down, but I refuse to let this experience scare off other women who dare to take risks, who dare to step into this light, and who dare to be powerful. It might feel like they have won in the short term, but they can't in the long term. We cannot let them. The way to overcome this setback is for women to keep showing up, to keep running for office, and to keep stepping up as leaders; because the more we show up, the less power they have. I am leaving, but we have men who have been credibly accused of intentional acts of sexual violence and remain in boardrooms, on the Supreme Court, in this very body, and, worst of all, in the Oval Office. So, the fight goes on to create the change that every woman and girl in this country deserves. Here in the Halls of Congress, the fight will go on without me. I trust so many of my colleagues to be strong on this front while I move on to one of the many other battlefields, because we have an entire culture that has to change, and we see it in stark clarity today: The forces of revenge by a bitter, jealous man, cyber exploitation and sexual shaming that target our gender, and a large segment of society that fears and hates powerful women have combined to push a young woman out of power and say that she doesn't belong here; yet a man who brags about his sexual predation, who has had dozens of women come forward to accuse him of sexual assault, who pushes policies that are uniquely harmful to women, and who has filled the courts with judges who proudly rule to deprive women of the most fundamental right to control their own bodies sits in the highest office of the land. And so today, as my last vote, I voted on impeachment proceedings, not just because of corruption, obstruction of justice, or gross misconduct, but because of the deepest abuse of power, including the abuse of power over women. Today, as my final act, I voted to move forward with the impeachment of Donald Trump on behalf of the women of the United States of America. We will not stand down; we will not be broken; and we will not be silenced. We will rise, and we will make tomorrow better than today. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time for now, but not forever.

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of my Special Order.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I am both a millennial and one of the youngest Members of Congress. I joined Congress at a moment when communities from California to the Bahamas are enduring the effects of climate change. In my own community, we are experiencing lengthening fire seasons and longer droughts. As the climate crisis grows, those of us who have refused money from Big Oil and who will be the ones who have to live with the effects of climate change have to take it upon ourselves to fight for our generation and the generations to come. Tomorrow, young people across the world will begin a week of climate action with the Global Climate Strike. We may not have made this mess, but we will fight to clean it up. That is why I sent a letter to Donald Trump, along with 110 of my fellow Members of Congress, to call for a renegotiated NAFTA deal that meaningfully addresses the climate crisis. From moderates to progressives, we are coming together to call for binding climate standards and a recommitment to the Paris climate agreement in the updated NAFTA. So far, that is not what Trump has in mind. The current NAFTA 2.0 deal that Trump negotiated with Mexico and Canada fails to mention climate change. We cannot afford to pass another trade deal that is on the wrong side of our historic fight to tackle climate change. With 76 percent of Americans now saying that climate change is a crisis or a major problem, it is common sense that our trade deals should support, not undermine, climate action. In fact, this is a longstanding demand, one that leading environmental organizations, labor-environment coalitions, climate economists, and Members of Congress have been elevating over the last 2 years of NAFTA talks. The fact of the matter is that the climate crisis threatens our communities and our future every single day. While we are fighting to tackle the crisis, we are seeing corporate polluters pad the pockets of too many of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to protect their bottom lines. I see colleagues in both Chambers of Congress who won't have to deal with the repercussions of their actions bargaining with my future and the future of generations to come. This cycle must end now. It is past time for rhetoric and empty promises. We need new policies that offer real solutions to the climate crisis. That doesn't include just H.R. 9, which, to be honest, has very little chance of being taken up in the Senate. It also has to include our trade policies. The reality is that this moment is too important to throw away. This is an unprecedented opportunity to put our money where our mouth is on climate. We should ensure that any renegotiated NAFTA prioritizes climate by including binding climate standards and getting a guarantee from Trump himself that the United States will remain a member of the most universal and basic worldwide climate agreement for our health, for our safety, for our future, and for the people.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to speak on such an important issue. I am here today to support the FAIR Act because of women like Kelli Stein, who, earlier this year, wrote a public letter to the Senate Finance Committee telling the story of her mother, June Lee. In the letter, Kelli details how June was severely abused in a nursing home. The letter describes how her mother was dropped several times by staff members and sustained a broken shoulder. It took 5 days before the injury was x-rayed. Because staff failed to check on her enough, June developed bed sores. She suffered countless urinary tract infections because the nursing home staff would not take her to the bathroom enough. Nursing home staff even taped the nurse call cord, the cord that she needed to call for help, out of her reach so that they would not have to attend to her. Kelli recounts how ``throughout the entire time her mother was there, it was a never-ending ordeal of preventable health problem after preventable health problem, chipping away at her dignity as well as her mental and physical health.'' Ultimately, the physical neglect caused her mental and physical health to suffer, and it greatly diminished her quality of life. But when June's family tried to hold the nursing home accountable, they realized that they had unknowingly signed away their rights to hold that nursing home corporation accountable for June's abuse and neglect. They had been forced to sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of June being admitted to the nursing home. The FAIR Act would eliminate forced arbitration clauses in employment, consumer, and civil rights cases and would allow consumers and workers to agree to arbitration only after a dispute occurs. This legislation protects older Americans who rely on the care of nursing home staff by allowing families to hold nursing homes accountable for the abuse or neglect of their loved ones.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give voice to what so many individuals and families in my community and across the country are feeling: deep anger at the threat of losing access to their healthcare. First, I have to condemn the developments in the Ninth Circuit case that state title X providers can no longer lawfully refer women for abortion services. Healthcare is personal. The conversations that take place between a woman and her doctor cannot be policed by Congress. These rules are damaging to providers and dangerous--possibly even deadly--to patients. What is worse is that it is not just reproductive care. This administration is using stacked courts to dismantle the healthcare system that gives coverage to millions of Americans, including 60,000 individuals in my district, without even the vaguest plan to replace it. My colleagues and I are working every day to lower the cost of prescription drugs and to ensure that we have a healthcare system that works for everyone, while this administration tries to rip coverage way. As Members of Congress, we owe it to our communities to fight back against these rollbacks at every step, and we will.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 series. When I think of Apollo 11, I am reminded of a feeling that many of us have forgotten in this current time of divisiveness and anger. Apollo 11 reminds me of an America that pulled together; a time when America prioritized impossible dreams, because impossible dreams were what built this country; a time when we understood that achieving those impossible dreams was a way to make every child feel prouder to be an American and every adversary feel that our Nation loomed larger than they could hope to surmount. As Americans, we work hard, we get better, then we become the best. At its core, space exploration and the Moon landing were rooted in the American Dream, and I believe that dream is still worth dreaming today. Fifty years later, the Apollo series and the space exploration of that time remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. I stand here today as the congresswoman of a district that is incredibly proud of our contributions to space technology, flight, and exploration. Really, our contributions to bringing that dream to life. My district is home to many of the Edwards Air Force Base workers who are critical to our country's defense and service. We often say that the Antelope Valley is actually the aerospace valley because of how much testing, research, and development takes place in our community. The NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base made countless contributions to the NASA human spaceflight program during the sixties, from the X-15 rocket plane hypersonic research program to the lunar landing research vehicle, both of which had a direct impact on the Apollo missions. In fact, the first flight of a lunar landing research vehicle was in 1964 at Edwards Air Force Base. These vehicles were later used at Ellington Air Force Base to train the Apollo flight crew, including Neil Armstrong. For my constituents and so many others across the Nation, the celebration of the Apollo mission is the celebration of our history. It is the celebration of people like my grandfather, who worked on the thrusters for the lunar lander. From 1961 to 1970, he was involved with Apollo service module rocket development, qualification, and production. In talking with my grandfather, I have seen how much of a catalyst this work is for our identity as Americans. The Moon shot gave so many of us something to believe in, and that belief paid off in its enduring impact to scientific discovery and commercial applications. We need to realize that triumph in this generation of Americans. My work on the House Armed Services Committee has also shown me that the military and our defense capabilities simply don't work any longer without a mastery of space. Our adversaries are on their way to the Moon, and we have no choice but to be there, as well. That is a vital part of how we maintain our status as the global leader that we have always been. To keep our strongest position, we have to have a plan and a strategy for space. In doing so, we will inspire a generation of STEM workers, many of them young women, people of color, and first-generation college students, to be part of something great, something that defines our identity as Americans. We will stimulate our economy, innovate products that stretch beyond use in space, and contribute to our comfort and well-being here in America. On the 50th anniversary of Apollo, I am honored to champion a program that unlocked so much American greatness. I am even more honored to stand with the knowledge that greater things are yet to come. Together, we can do so much and go so far, further than we have ever gone before. Because we can. Because we have to. Because our security demands it. Because, without doing so, we will never know what is possible. And as humans, as Americans, we will not let the impossible stop us.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Chair, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. I rise in support of an amendment to H.R. 3494. I believe strongly in the principle of government transparency. It is something I ran on and talk about. I have spent my time in Congress working to deliver on accountability and transparency as the vice chair of the Oversight and Reform Committee and through other legislation. Today, I am introducing this amendment to clarify what Congress already believes to be the law, that Federal whistleblowers have the ability to make protected disclosures to the appropriate congressional committee of jurisdiction, not just members of the Intelligence Committee. At a time like this, we cannot afford ambiguity. This technical change will allow congressional committees to conduct their business in a more timely and effective manner. This amendment is not my first effort to protect whistleblowers, nor will it be my last. Those with the courage to stand up and say something is not right should have every single protection that we, as Congress, can offer to them. Madam Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Carl Boyer. The lives of every single person in my hometown of Santa Clarita, California, are better thanks to the work and tireless efforts of one of our city's founding fathers, Mr. Carl Boyer. After moving to what is now California's 25th District in the late 1960s, Carl worked to establish the city of Santa Clarita in an effort to help our community receive the resources it needed. His leadership continued from there as he served on the first-ever Santa Clarita City Council and, eventually, two terms as mayor. Carl put his city--our city--at the center of every decision he made. From his first day on the council to his last day as mayor, he worked to protect our beautiful open space, and he left office having created one of the best park departments in the United States. While serving Santa Clarita, he was also a public school teacher and a foster parent to young children who came to the United States for lifesaving medical treatment. Carl Boyer had a heart of gold, and will be missed by all. On behalf of the vibrant and wonderful community that he helped create, I extend my deepest gratitude for the legacy of service, engagement, and kindness that he leaves behind.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Chair, it is hard to overstate the devastating effects of lengthening fire seasons across the United States, especially in my home State of California. I represent three diverse valleys in California's 25th Congressional District, across northern Los Angeles and Ventura County, and all of them have had significant wildfires and forest fires in the last year. In fact, 2018 was the deadliest fire season in California's history. According to CAL FIRE and the National Interagency Fire Center, 8,527 fires burned a total of 1,893,913 acres, the largest area on record. Not only are these fires larger and more frequent, but they are also hotter and more intense. Soon, the term ``fire tornadoes'' will be a phrase that many people are familiar with. My own house was evacuated last summer. We had to trailer my horse and relocate my goats and dogs to my sister's house. My sister's house was evacuated shortly thereafter. Sadly, this is not the first time I or my family has had to evacuate. It has practically become a common occurrence for people in areas like ours. Two days after I found out that I would be coming to Washington to represent my community, three people died in the Woolsey fire, part of which burned through my district in Simi Valley. We have to do more. I am thankful for the opportunity to put forth this amendment that provides additional funds for wildland fire management and hazardous fuels work. I am offering it to highlight the funding that is already in this bill to prepare for, combat, and reduce the risk of future catastrophic wildfires and to make sure we do more. These funds are critical because when the Forest Service does not have enough fire suppression funds, they have to borrow from mitigation accounts to pay for fire suppression activities. This fire borrowing delays the very activities that improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk. We cannot simply treat the effects. We have to treat the cause. But prevention takes funding, and that is why this bill and this amendment are so important. For the first time, this bill includes $2.25 billion in fire cap adjusted funds. These additional funds ensure that our firefighters will have the resources they need to combat wildfires without fire borrowing, meaning that we will invest in the prevention solutions that we know work. However, we will only have the cap adjusted funds for 2 years. We must all work together to ensure that any budget agreement includes fire cap adjusted funds for future budget years as well. That is how we can make lasting change on this front. For my community, for California, and for States across the country experiencing the devastating effects of wildfires, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. McCollum).

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the WOW Flower Project participating in the annual observance of Juneteenth. Whereas the staff and volunteers of WOW Flower Project have agreed to devote their time, resources and energy to this united effort to bring attention to this important day of celebration. Whereas Juneteenth is an annual observance on June 19th to remember when Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining enslaved people in Texas on June 19, 1865. This day is an opportunity for people to celebrate freedom and equal rights in the United States. Whereas WOW Flower Project will hold a public Juneteenth Celebration with the goals of bringing our neighbors together to remember the millions of African Americans who suffered the evils of slavery and celebrate the community's commitment to working toward a more fair and just society. Together, we honor the unbreakable spirit and countless contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of American greatness. Whereas WOW Flower Project leads us today and every day in recommitting ourselves to defending the self-evident truth, boldly declared by our Founding Fathers, that all people are created equal. On this day, we rise to declare June 19th, National Juneteenth Awareness Day. Dating back to 1865, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. We are fortunate to have passionate, forward-thinking, dedicated organizations like the WOW Flower Project who work tirelessly to enact change and educate our community. Therefore, let it be proclaimed the Antelope Valley declares that every 19th of June is the official Remembrance of Juneteenth.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to declare June 7th, National Gun Violence Awareness Day. Today we are reminded of the epidemic of senseless gun violence that plagues our nation. Our inaction has cost too many innocent lives. Every day, 100 Americans are killed by gun violence and countless others are wounded. We are fortunate to have passionate, forward-thinking, dedicated organizations like Moms Demand Action who work tirelessly to enact change and protect our community. It's time we do our part. As a lifelong gun owner, I know that respecting the Second Amendment and advocating for gun safety measures are not mutually exclusive. We can adequately retain the right to bear arms while keeping our kids and communities safe. Like most law-abiding gun owners, I believe that high-risk individuals like terrorists, domestic violence abusers, convicted criminals, and those suffering from mental illness, who are inclined to hurt themselves or others, should not be allowed to purchase weapons. That is why I cosponsored and voted for H.R. 8, The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, which establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties. On February 27, the House passed H.R. 8.--the first time in 25 years that a piece of gun violence prevention legislation came to the House floor for a vote. This is a public safety issue, not a partisan issue. Not only do we need stricter background checks, but we also need to provide funding to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to research gun violence as the public health concern that it is. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to address this problem. Gun safety is a priority for me because I have heard from far too many constituents who are afraid for their lives. One constituent survived the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, only to be killed the following year at the Borderline Bar mass shooting just outside our district. I will always fight for the people of the Antelope, Simi, and Santa Clarita Valleys, above all, and I am committed to pursuing policy solutions that address both the outcomes and root causes of these tragedies. By wearing orange and commemorating National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Americans will raise awareness about gun violence and honor the lives and lost human potential of Americans stolen by gun violence. I want to thank the advocates and leaders all across America, but especially at home in my district, for inspiring us every day through their commitment to a better future.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3151, the Taxpayer First Act, which is a very exciting piece of legislation because who doesn't get excited about taxes? However, in all seriousness, we should get excited when paying taxes or filing our taxes becomes easier and better for the American people. I am so thrilled to be here today to offer my support, and I am beyond grateful that my concerns with the free file provision were heard and acted upon. I am beyond grateful to Congressman Lewis' leadership on this legislation which will save the government money, protect low-income individuals, and give the IRS resources to offer many additional much- needed services. I also want to thank the Congressman's staff and the Ways and Means Committee staff for working with my team--who also deserve a great deal of thanks--to make this happen. It is an incredible example of the collaboration that can happen to positively affect peoples' lives, and I cannot begin to express my gratitude that such a long-term, well-respected leader such as John Lewis took my concerns into consideration and involved me in the process, even though I am a lowly freshman. The fact that we were able to get this provision resolved is showing how Congress is changing and showing how we are taking power away from corporations and special interests and back into the hands of regular people. I am proud to be part of that effort. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Speaker, I can't believe that we are standing here and having a man tell me what kind of protection I need in sports. This is fear-mongering about trans women playing in sports. Are you kidding me? I don't know if my colleagues on the other side of the aisle realize that they have met trans people, but they have. They definitely have. I have met many, and this motion reflects nothing more than the prejudice of my colleagues. My staff has put together a lot of talking points for you today, but it is much simpler than that. The Equality Act ensures that LGBTQ women and girls who are lesbian, bisexual, or transgender will all have the same opportunities as their peers in sports, in housing, and in jobs. The discrimination that trans individuals face just trying to live their lives every single day is something beyond what most of us could ever imagine. Through my work and the issue of homelessness, I saw trans women disproportionately affected by discrimination at every single stage of their lives. They have higher rates of poverty, higher rates of sexual abuse, higher rates of homelessness. And I can tell you, no trans person is trying to game the system to participate in sports. That does not happen, and that is a sad scare tactic that has no place on the floor of the people's House. State schools and athletic organizations across the country have found for many years that letting LGBTQ student athletes, including girls and women who are transgender, participate in sports does not harm women's and girls' sports in any way. As an athlete, athletic success is based on so many factors, like individual ability and strength, and those abilities vary widely for people who aren't even trans. It has nothing to do with whether someone is transgender or not. In fact, major advocates for women and girls in sports, such as the National Women's Law Center, the Women's Sports Foundation, Women's Leaders in College Sports, and others, support trans-inclusive policies and oppose efforts to exclude transgender people from participating in sports. This is not a new concept. Trans people have participated in sports for years. Stop the fear-mongering. This is 2019, and we are not afraid of the boogieman that you are trying to create. We are ready to move forward and tell all of our constituents, all of our communities, all Americans that they matter equally. You, my colleagues, are on the wrong side of history, and we will be waiting for you on the other side when we reject this amendment and pass H.R. 5. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas).

Ms. HILL of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the motion to recommit with all of my heart.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I wanted to finish out by thanking the 2,200 Capitol Police officers here who protect us and the 3 to 5 million people who visit the U.S. Capitol every single year. They do the job that often goes unnoticed, but we are ensured our safety and protection, and that of every single person who comes to visit us, because of their hard work and service. To every single law enforcement professional who dedicates their life every single day, we are eternally grateful. I am so proud to be working with my colleagues to continue to fight for recognizing our officers and to take this forward for many years to come.

Ms. HILL of California. Madam Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from Florida for joining forces with me this evening to host this bipartisan Special Order hour in honor of National Police Week. As you are about to see, supporting our law enforcement is an issue that unifies us across geography and political party, bringing together diverse perspectives and deep gratitude. I am so proud to rise in support of our law enforcement and the professional peace officers who work tirelessly every single day for the safety and security of our communities. I represent California's 25th Congressional District, which is home to many of the police officers who serve all of Los Angeles County. My community is rooted in service. It is a value that I grew up with, and one of the reasons that I chose to serve my community by running for office. My dad is an Air Force veteran and has spent three decades in law enforcement. In fact, he was here with us this week as part of a large group from our district who flew out for Police Week. As a little girl, I remember what it was like to wonder if my dad would make it home at night. I remember being so scared for his life because he was on the front lines protecting mine and all of the other members of our community. I was proud of him then, and I am proud of him now. But unlike then, I now have the opportunity to fight for him and the men and women serving just like him. Protecting and supporting our law enforcement should not be partisan. The speakers joining us today demonstrate that we can have meaningful, legislative reform that works across the aisle. I want to briefly touch on several pieces of legislation that I believe will protect and support our police officers, including H.R. 838, the Threat Assessment, Prevention, and Safety Act, or TAPS, which institutes a process that will identify, investigate, assess, and mitigate threats before they happen. Fighting for law enforcement also means supporting legislation like H.R. 2070, the POWER Act, to develop new grants for chemical screening; H.R. 1236, the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, to empower police to keep guns out of the wrong hands; and H.R. 2379, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership, to increase the number of lifesaving bulletproof vests accessible to our law enforcement. Through these bills and others in development, we can keep our communities and officers safe. Most importantly, I am standing here today to honor the life of Officer Johnathan Tanner. He is a true public servant from the Antelope Valley in my district, who passed away, tragically, at the age of 28 years old after battling cancer. He will be remembered for his steadfast devotion to his community, his church, and his family. Officer Tanner proudly served the California Highway Patrol with a dedication to the safety of the Antelope Valley. In just his first year out of training, he received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award for Excellence in removing impaired drivers from the road, and he was known for his efforts to build public trust in law enforcement. Out of uniform, Officer Tanner served his community by volunteering his time at Lancaster Baptist Church, where he was a lifelong member. He taught youth ministry classes, coached sports teams, and led a bus route that gives children rides to church. Officer Tanner leaves behind his wife, Jessie, their two young sons, and a baby girl who is expected to arrive later this month. He is also survived by his parents, two older brothers, and a younger sister. I am proud to have represented Officer Tanner, and I know that his loved ones and the community will carry on the legacy of his light in the world. Today, in honor of Police Week and in honor of all of the members of our law enforcement community, I am proud to stand in support of the men and women who put their lives on the line every single day like Officer Tanner and like my dad. Thank you for all you do.

Ms. HILL of California

Ms. HILL of California. Above all, we are going to stand up for the people, again, with the full force of this freshman class; and I am so excited to do it with you, Mr. Neguse, and with all of my fellow freshman colleagues.

Ms. HILL of California. Invest in our Nation's infrastructure and public education system.

Ms. HILL of California. End corruption in Washington.

Ms. HILL of California. The Paycheck Fairness Act and reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.