Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Res. 5, Adopting the Rules of the 118th Congress. Instead of building on the extraordinary work done by House Democrats in the 117th Congress, Republicans are choosing to lead off this term with legislation that attacks women's health freedoms, make it easier for companies to pollute without consequence, and hand out tax breaks to the wealthy and well connected. This problematic Rules package is the product of non-transparent negotiations, backroom deals and promises that were made to appease the demands made by extremist members of the Republican Party to get them to vote or in some cases vote present for Speaker of the House. Last week's catastrophic Speaker's election showed Americans how disorganized, chaotic, and inefficient the Republican leadership and Caucus can be. Last week's chaos showed the American people how Republicans plan to govern for the next two years. This body will be ill managed, less transparent, slow moving, and will put forth legislation that will attack our freedoms and undermine our Nation's values. Concessions made by Republican leadership last week will have devastating effects on this institution. The passage of this Rules package will pave the way for: Any member to file a ``motion to vacate the chair,'' effectively holding the Speaker hostage; Extreme right-wing members on key committees; Putting an end to the possibility of Congressional staff unionization; Reinstating the Holman Rules so Republicans can target civil servants who challenge them; and Shut down criminal investigations into the previous president. This problematic Rule is creating more turmoil in the Republican ranks as members wrestle with the image of witnessing the Speaker being coerced into agreeing to give a small faction of the Republican Caucus treats to appease them--including concessions to individual members for votes he needed to become Speaker. It is not inconceivable that Republican members of the delegation must show they are not being bullied into voting for this Rules Bill. The most problematic aspect of the Rule is that it does not spell out what the Speaker agreed to give to his opponents so that the Congress and the American people know what the Speakership actually cost them. This is the People's House--not the Republican or Democratic House any bargaining should be focused on the needs of the American people-- they must come first. Throughout the last election cycle, Republicans campaigned on addressing inflation and lowering the cost of living for millions of Americans. Ironically, the first bill they are introducing repays the wealthy donors that got them their majority through dark money contributions by making it easier for the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans to cheat on their taxes. We all may have varying beliefs about taxes, but we as Americans know that nothing in this life is free and that in order for our Nation to be a beacon of freedom we must have a strong defense, public assistance programs to help those in need, an education system that prepares young minds to lead, retirement programs that provided for our elder and disabled, and a healthcare system that cares for all in need of healthcare. Passage of the rule will pave the way for Republicans to continue their assault on a woman's bodily autonomy and impede on medical decisions that should remain between medical professionals and their patient. Although the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act does not criminalize abortion nationwide, make no mistake, that is their end goal, and the passage of this bill will get them one step closer to their sick idea of stripping all women of their rights. There are concerns that language in the House Rules Package would eliminate rules requiring spending offsets for bills that sell or transfer federal public lands and waters. This will result in a loss of public access enjoyed by the 70 million American hunters and anglers that help support the $862 billion outdoor recreation economy in the United States. Additionally, giving away public assets with no return would be a loss for American taxpayers. As a result, hunters and anglers are strongly opposed to this rule change, which would eliminate the necessity of spending offsets to sell or transfer public lands. I urge all my colleagues to oppose this bill and see it for what it truly is: an effort by Republicans to give tax breaks to the ultra-rich and the corporations who fund their campaigns, and an effort to continue carrying out their distorted notion of America by decimating the programs set in place to help the Americans who depend on government assistance the most. The text of the material previously referred to by Mr. McGovern is as follows: At the end of the resolution, add the following new section:

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let me rename this legislation to the billionaire tax cheats happy days are here again because that is simply what this bill is about. I know my constituents are in one of the difficult districts in the Nation, and I realize that small businesses in my district, those who are getting earned income tax credit, they want refunds. They can't get them if the phones are not being answered and there are not enough staff to help them get the refunds that will help them propel their small business into the next year. Then, of course, Mr. Speaker, what about the lady who was trying to close a real estate deal, and there was no one at the office? That created a $68,000 tax burden because the tax office was not available to assist. We need to provide those workers to help Americans, not to create tax cheats. This legislation is deserving of opposition because we as Democrats are trying to make the IRS work for working families, get their refunds, get their dollars, help them propel into the next year, and be better for the moneys that they deserve to get back. Vote ``no'' on the underlying legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 23, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. This bill would rescind $72 billion of the $79.6 billion appropriated to the Internal Revenue Service to refine its services and technology and reform its enforcement practices of the federal tax code. The passage of H.R. 23 would widen the already massive tax gap and unfairly relieve the wealthiest 1% of Americans from paying their fair share of taxes. The historic passage of the Inflation Reeducation Act under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi and signed by President Biden authorized $79.6 billion to allow the Internal Revenue Service to bolster taxpayer services while firmly and fairly enforcing the federal tax code. Through the implementation of the IRA, we continue to help the millions of Americans who most depend on federal government assistance and who contribute disproportionately to the federal revenues that pay for our government to operate. $45.6 billion of the authorized funds included in the Inflation Reduction Act were allocated for tax enforcement activities, including hiring more enforcement agents, providing legal support, and investing in investigating technologies. These funds are necessary to bridge the unjust tax gap that Americans have been subject to for generations and will continue to endure under Republican leadership. The entirety of the $79.6 billion is critical to cracking down on ultra-rich and corporate tax evaders who have avoided paying their fair share of taxes for years. The passage of this bill would dismantle key components of the Inflation Reduction Act that have injected fairness into the enforcement of our tax system. The IRA reduced rising costs for hardworking middle-class and working class families and ensured that taxpayers are not left to foot the bill for ealthy tax cheats--both of which would be erased with the passage of this bill. These unfair tax practices have gone on for far too long. I urge all my colleagues to oppose this bill and see it for what it truly is: an effort by Republicans to give tax breaks to the ultra-rich and the corporations who fund their campaigns, and an effort to continue carrying out their distorted notion of America by decimating the programs set in place to help the Americans who depend on government assistance the most.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 23, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. This bill would rescind $72 billion of the $79.6 billion appropriated to the Internal Revenue Service to refine its services and technology and reform its enforcement practices of the federal tax code. The passage of H.R. 23 would widen the already massive tax gap and unfairly relieve the wealthiest 1 percent of Americans from paying their fair share of taxes. The historic passage of the Inflation Reeducation Act under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi and signed by President Biden authorized $79.6 billion to allow the Internal Revenue Service to bolster taxpayer services while firmly and fairly enforcing the federal tax code. Through the implementation of the IRA, we continue to help the millions of Americans who most depend on federal government assistance and who contribute disproportionately to the federal revenues that pay for our government to operate. Simply put, Americans who have the least should not be burdened with the responsibility to contribute the most. Every American--most importantly, the wealthiest among us--must pay what they rightfully owe to enable our government to function. $45.6 billion of the authorized funds included in the Inflation Reduction Act were allocated for tax enforcement activities, including hiring more enforcement agents, providing legal support, and investing in investigating technologies. These funds are necessary to bridge the unjust tax gap that Americans have been subject to for generations and will continue to endure under Republican leadership. The entirety of the $79.6 billion is critical to cracking down on ultra-rich and corporate tax evaders who have avoided paying their fair share of taxes for years. The passage of this bill would dismantle key components of the Inflation Reduction Act that have injected fairness into the enforcement of our tax system. The IRA reduced rising costs for hardworking middle-class families and ensured that taxpayers are not left to foot the bill for wealthy tax cheats--both of which would be erased with the passage of this bill. These unfair tax practices have gone on for far too long. I urge all my colleagues to oppose this bill and see it for what it truly is: an effort by Republicans to give tax breaks to the ultra-rich and the corporations who fund their campaigns, and an effort to continue carrying out their distorted notion of America by decimating the programs set in place to help the Americans who depend on government assistance the most.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it has been 38 years, and I rise with enthusiasm on reintroducing H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act. I am pleased to reintroduce this legislation and to acknowledge to my friends and colleagues that it was first introduced in 1989 after the implementation of the American Civil Liberties Act that provided compensation to Japanese Americans. H.R. 40 does not focus on all of that only. It focuses on the study of slavery and the understanding of what would be the next steps to end the vast disparities in the African-American community even today in 2023. And so this introduction allows for a study, an analysis, and action. I am pleased with the more than 350 organizations, CEOs, scholars, State and local officials, and Members of Congress who have been supportive in understanding the era of slavery in this country. The 13th amendment may have ended slavery, but the disparities exist. Let us pass H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to re-introduce H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans Act. This legislation was first introduced by retired Member of Congress John Conyers of Michigan in 1989 and was intended to examine the institution of slavery in the colonies and the United States from 1619 to the present, and further recommend appropriate remedies. Since the initial introduction of this legislation, its proponents have made substantial progress in elevating the discussion of reparations and reparatory justice at the national level and joining the mainstream international debate on the issues. Though some have tried to deflect the importance of these conversations by focusing on individual monetary compensation, the real issue is whether and how this nation can come to grips with the legacy of slavery that still infects current society. Through legislation, resolutions, news, and litigation, we are moving closer to making more strides in the movement toward reparations. Today there are more people at the table--more activists, more scholars, more CEOs, more state and local officials, and more Members of Congress. However, despite this progress and the election of the first American President of African descent, the legacy of slavery lingers heavily in this nation. While we have focused on the societal effects of slavery and segregation, its continuing economic implications remain largely ignored by mainstream analysis. These economic issues are the root cause of many critical issues in the African American community today, such as education, healthcare and criminal justice policy, including policing practices. The call for reparations represents a commitment to entering a constructive dialogue on the role of slavery and racism in shaping present-day conditions in our community and American society. Over the last several years, we have had a distinguished academic and activist panel from the National African American Reparations Commission dive into some of the most salient points in the discussion of reparations. I am supporting this effort by continuing to hold the annual reparations retrospective at the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus. I believe that H.R. 40 is a crucial piece of legislation because it goes beyond exploring the economic implications of slavery and segregation. It is a holistic bill in the sense that it seeks to establish a commission to also examine the moral and social implications of slavery. In short, the Commission aims to study the impact of slavery and continuing discrimination against African Americans, resulting directly and indirectly from slavery to segregation to the desegregation process and the present day. The commission would also make recommendations concerning any form of apology and compensation to begin the long-delayed process of atonement for slavery. With the over criminalization and policing of black bodies, a reoccurring issue in African American communities, I believe this conversation is both relevant and crucial to restoring trust in governmental institutions in many communities. As in years past, I welcome open and constructive discourse on H.R. 40 and the creation of this commission in the 118th Congress. Though the times and circumstance may change, the principal problem of slavery continues to weigh heavily on this country. A federal commission can help us reach into this dark past and bring us into a brighter future.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 450, Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 which will posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. After which, the medal will be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I loudly applaud and support the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021. The passage of this legislation is long overdue and today is a monumental day for the United States of America. This bill, the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021, provides for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley. After the award, the medal shall be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In January of 1900, Ida B. Wells gave a speech declaring that our country's national crime at the time was lynching. Lynching was a terror tactic frequently used against African Americans in the Jim Crow South. At the time, no colored man was safe from lynching if a white woman, no matter what her standing or motive, cares to charge him with insult or assault. Unfortunately, many innocent adolescents like Emmett Till fell victim to these tortuous killings. Emmett Till was brutally murdered on August 28, 1955, for allegedly flirting with a white woman four days earlier. The white woman, her husband and brother, made Emmett carry a 75- pound cotton gin fan to the bank of the Tallahache River. They then forced Emmett to remove his clothes. The 2 men began beating Emmett, nearly to death, gouged his eye out, shot him in the head and then threw his body into the river. Despite malicious efforts from authorities to quickly bury Emmett's body, his mother, Mamie Bradley demanded it be sent back to Chicago. Here is where she decided to invite media outlets to Emmett's funeral, left his casket open during the funeral, and let these media outlets show the world what racist murderers had done to her only son. It is, of course, fitting, and proper that this legislation bears the name of Emmett Till and his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley. Till's slaying in 1955 and his mother's decision to have an open casket at his funeral, stirred the Nation's conscience and galvanized a generation of Americans to join the fight for equality. Fast forward to 1998 in the small town of Jasper, Texas, three white men offered James Byrd, Jr. ride home. The next morning James Byrd, Jr.'s body was found. He was beaten, chained to the back of a truck, had spray paint all over his face, and dragged alive until he was decapitated, all because of the color of his skin. This was an act of unfathomable racist brutality. On February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery was fatally shot and killed by Travis McMichael and his father George McMichael. Ahmaud Arbery was jogging through his neighborhood, unarmed, and was tragically killed by the McMichaels who claim they thought he was a local burglar. They followed him in their truck and eventually shot him as he struggled fighting Travis off. Local law enforcement attempted to cover up the killing by telling Arbery's family that he had been killed while committing a crime and that the men who shot him would face no charges. Luckily, footage of the incident was taken and this footage was widely shared. Finally, after national outcry sparked activism, the McMichaels were arrested and charged, and convicted in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery and given a life sentence. This tragedy was immediately characterized as yet another modern-day lynching. More than 150 years since Reconstruction, some still try to utilize false narratives that dehumanize people of color suspected of crimes to legitimate their inhumane treatment. Sadly, hundreds of thousands of people of color have been killed, and many of the killers, like those of Emmett himself, were never successfully prosecuted. Over the past half century, the United States has made tremendous progress in overcoming the badges and vestiges of slavery. But this progress has been purchased at great cost. The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 will ensure that Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley are properly honored for their sacrifice and commitment to equality and justice. In doing so, this legislation will help move this Nation one step closer to fulfilling its promise that in America all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise again to thank Leader Hoyer for his masterful control and work on the floor of the House and thank him for his magic 1 minute. I rise as well, as I hope to continue the debate, to encourage and say that there is no option but to support the omnibus that will come before us. Mr. Speaker, 40 million children will have permanent healthcare through the CHIP program. $24 billion will help to improve veterans' healthcare. What is needed by Americans is that mental health will now be a high priority in assisting the stabilization of our families. I rise also to indicate my determination to reintroduce H.R. 7566, which it was this year, the No Trafficking Zones Act. This legislation would have established a sentencing enhancement of up to 5 years for any person who commits an offense of child sex trafficking or coercion and enticement of a minor within 1,000 feet of a school zone. Let me apprise this body, in 2020, 11,193 instances of potential human trafficking were reported by the United States, national human trafficking, and 25 percent of all that is in Texas, and these are children. Mr. Speaker, it is crucial that we fight for children, and we get this bill--no sex trafficking in our school zones, no sex trafficking, no human trafficking. We are going to get it passed.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for yielding. Mr. Speaker, there are no lameduck Americans. The lights are on, the doors are open, and they expect for us to work. I am excited about this omnibus. I am excited about the $800 billion that Democrats were able to get for housing and safer communities. I am excited about the STOP School Violence Act grants of $50 million for community-based violence intervention; $95 million for the background checks. I am excited about 40 million children being able to have good healthcare under Medicaid. I am excited about the enhancement of Medicare and Medicaid for my constituents. I am enormously excited about the $398 million--we have tried this over and over again--to transition the TSA workforce to pay parity with civil service employees performing similar work, as well as the dollars for refugees' processing and shelter. I am excited about the dollars for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the 18th Congressional District; for Buffalo Bayou Park, $750,000, in the 18th Congressional District; for riverside planning for restoration; for the hospital, $750,000; $4 million to deal with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Transportation. I am excited because we are doing things for families. Mr. Speaker, vote for this bill. It is no lameduck. Happy holidays. It is for the American people, and the Democrats are standing tall.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees on the Budget, Judiciary, and Homeland Security, I proudly rise in support of the omnibus appropriations legislation that provides funding to continue the operations of the federal government through September 30, 2023, enhances supportive services to the American people, and avoids a wasteful and irresponsible shutdown. I am relieved that an agreement has been reached between the bicameral, bipartisan leadership, and produced an omnibus spending package that has the highest levels of non-defense spending in our Nation's history. This legislation provides vitally needed and long overdue funding that will make our communities safer, improve health coverage for children and families, increase funding for veterans' health care, help victims of hurricanes and wildfires, prevent violence against women, preserve our democracy, address the climate crisis, and deliver another round of essential security, economic and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Democrats secured an astounding $800 billion in non-defense spending--$68 billion more than last year, a 9.3% increase--to raise living standards for Houston residents and millions of Americans. Not only does this spending package include necessary increases in funding for ongoing programs and services; it also approves spending for the implementation of groundbreaking, historic legislation that was enacted into law, led by Democrats, in 2022. Passage of this legislation will improve safety for Houstonians and all Americans. It addresses the epidemic of gun violence by funding provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the Gun Violence Reduction Grants, and it bolsters police and criminal justice reform by expanding gun violence prevention efforts. The spending package allocates $1.75 billion, an increase of $215.9 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level, to bolster efforts to prevent and respond to gun violence. It provides $135 million for STOP School Violence Act Grants. It will deliver $50 million for community-based violence intervention and prevention initiatives. Additionally, it allocates $95 million to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The bill improves healthcare for my constituents and millions of Americans by enhancing Medicaid and Medicare coverage, adding to child, family, maternal, and minority health programs, and providing critical funding for veterans' medical care. The omnibus: makes permanent the option for states to provide women with uninterrupted Medicaid coverage for 12 months postpartum, which will help address the maternal mortality crisis that has been especially devastating for communities of color; gives 40 million children in America permanent health care through Medicaid/Chips; ensures permanent, mandatory, and continuous healthcare coverage for over 40 million children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP through the year 2029; allocates $823 million for the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, including $55 million for State Maternal Health Innovation Grants, and $7 million for the Maternal Mental Health Hotline; increases funding to the Office of Minority Health and the Minority HIV/ AIDS initiative; and helps expand affordable, quality care to more Americans by allocating record-level Medicaid funding to Puerto Rico and permanently enhanced Medicaid funding for other territories; provides, through the efforts of Democrats, a $21 billion increase for veterans' healthcare, including supporting the VA as it implements the landmark PACT Act. Mr. Speaker, the package before us will lower the cost of living and ensure the continuation of SNAP benefits for millions of hardworking American families. The omnibus will protect housing assistance for more than 4.8 million individuals and families. It provides a combined $45.2 billion for Section 8 Rental Assistance to continue serving more than 3.5 million households nationwide, including an expansion of housing assistance to more than 12,000 low- income families, survivors of domestic violence, and veterans. The legislation invests $3.6 billion in efforts to reduce homelessness through Homeless Assistance Grants. The omnibus includes a $500 increase in the maximum Pell Grant for the students who need them most. It expands opportunity for underserved Americans through critical investments in education, especially for high-poverty schools by providing $18.4 billion for Title I Grants, and for students with disabilities by providing $15.5 billion for Special Education programs. It supports students at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities through over $1 billion in funding. The legislation tackles hunger and nutrition insecurity by expanding access to fruits and vegetables to 6.2 million women, infants, and children through WIC and ensures that 43.5 million people in SNAP- eligible families get the necessary benefits to which they are entitled. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 will also fund efforts to end violence against women. I've championed the fight against domestic violence for many years, and as chairwoman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, I sponsored H.R. 1620, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2021. The reauthorization of VAWA was one of this year's great successes, and I am so pleased to see that the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 will accelerate its implementation, as it: provides $700 million for Violence Against Women Act prevention and prosecution programs; provides services and assistance to victims of domestic violence and assault; and supports victims with $225 million to reduce the backlog in access to sexual assault kits and other DNA evidence tools. This funding package also provides substantial funding to fight the climate crisis and ensure a better life for future generations to come. By following the science, it enables the development of common-sense standards to curb pollution with $10.1 billion for the EPA, including $4.1 billion for core science and environmental program work. The bill includes more than $15.3 billion of transformative investments in clean energy and science, which will help the development and deployment of clean, affordable, and secure American energy while creating tens of thousands of ``green jobs'' in communities across the country. The omnibus includes $6.35 billion for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including strong investments in support of climate research, weather forecasting, offshore wind energy, and STEM education. Without these visionary, expansive provisions that address climate change, we risk exposing ourselves to harsher changes in climate and the wrath they inflict. Today, we are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate change. People in my Houston district, and indeed around the country, are living through cataclysmic natural disasters that are occurring with increasing frequency and severity. This funding package addresses the needs of communities that have been severely impacted by hurricanes and wildfires, and it provides essential disaster response and recovery funding. The omnibus provides $4.6 billion to help Americans who suffer from wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters during, and prior to, calendar year 2023. It allocates $20 billion for disaster response and recovery. The omnibus also equips us to address challenges to our security and our national values. In our ever-evolving global society, every day we face new threats to democracy and to the wellbeing of those who seek to live in a free and just world. Russia's launch of a premeditated war against Ukraine is an attack on democracy and a grave violation of international law, global peace, and security. The fighting sparked massive displacement, forcing over 7.6 million Ukrainians to flee their homes to find refuge in neighboring states, and putting women and girls at heightened risk of violence. As leader of the free world, the USA has the duty and responsibility to help Ukraine preserve its freedom and democracy. Therefore, I proudly support the spending provisions in this bill that respond to Ukraine's needs for humanitarian and security assistance. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 continues critical security assistance to Ukraine with an additional $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative for training, equipment, weapons, supplies, and salaries. It provides intelligence support to the Ukrainian military and national security forces. It provides $2.5 billion for humanitarian needs in Ukraine and in countries impacted by the situation in Ukraine, and for additional support for other vulnerable populations. Just as threats against democracy are prevalent around the world, they are also afflicting us here in the United States. In response to the despicable, appalling assault on the Capitol that attempted to disrupt our election proceedings on January 6, 2021, we must do everything in our power to ensure that democracy always prevails in the US. Our democracy must never be jeopardized by threats from homegrown extremists, nor deterred by delusional obsessions harbored by a would- be autocrat and his sycophants. The bill's inclusion of the Electoral Count Reform Act will codify the process by which Congress counts presidential electoral votes and ratifies the outcome of the presidential election. It will clarify to Americans that the Vice President's role in ratifying states' electoral college votes is purely ministerial and ceremonial, despite what the person who used to sit in the Oval Office led millions to believe. There are other ancillary but no less important features included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act: An increase in funding--to $7.8 billion--for NASA's Science Mission Directorate will generate better scientific information about the Earth and its changing climate, and will advance our understanding of both our solar system and the universe. The $220 million for the NATO Security Investment Program will improve the infrastructure that is necessary for wartime, crisis, peace support, and deterrence operations. The funds will support responses to the challenges posed by Russian aggression, as well as the risks and threats emanating from the Middle East and North Africa. Two amendments passed by the Senate will protect women's reproductive and childcare rights so their careers are not impaired by pregnancy and motherhood. By the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act being added to the omnibus, women will not face discrimination or adverse career impacts due to being pregnant, and, by having access to a place at work to breastfeed, women can balance work and family life when they have a new baby, without adverse impacts to their careers. The omnibus bolsters our ability to defend democracy and counter China through funding to protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The legislation enables us to repair roads and highways, expand bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, improve Federal auto safety programs, and upgrade public transit systems, implementing the historic investments that were enacted in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill includes $900 million for global health security and $2 billion for the replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. H.R. 2617 asserts our respect for the dignity of migrants by providing $1.9 billion in new funding to improve processing, sheltering, and medical care provided to migrants by Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration Control and Enforcement. By providing $6.8 billion in humanitarian assistance and $2.5 billion in emergency humanitarian funding, the bill addresses the historic levels of global displacement and humanitarian assistance needs caused by natural disasters, economic strain from the pandemic, and the worldwide impact of Russia's horrific aggression against Ukraine. The omnibus equips us to counter the rise of authoritarianism by investing $2.9 billion for global democracy programs and $315 million for the National Endowment for Democracy. In addition to the extraordinary, extensive, and diligent work by appropriators in both chambers that will benefit the entire nation, this bill includes Community Project Funding which I requested for vital projects that will improve quality-of-life in Houston. These projects, for which I advocated strongly, are of specific importance to my constituents and will have a direct, uplifting impact on the entire Houston area. They include: Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund for: Community Field at Jack Yates High School $100,000. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund for: The Buffalo Bayou Partnership $750,000. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund Riverside Planning for Restoration, Renovation and Additions for: Harris County $750,000. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund Transportation & Infrastructure Safety Improvement Project for: The OST/Almeda Corridors Redevelopment Authority $4,000,000. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Fund Park and Community Redevelopment for: City of Houston $4,000,000. NASA Safety Security and Mission Services Houston Independent School District, Houston for: Houston-Rice Planetary Project $1,983,320. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration for: City of Houston, for job training in the home recovery and construction industries $1,000,000. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration for: City of Houston--Houston Health Department for a vision health program $1,000,000. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration for: University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for facilities and equipment $1,000,000. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration for: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston for substance use disorder services and treatment for people experiencing homelessness $1,000,000. Department of Education Elementary and Secondary Education for: Best Buddies International, Houston for inclusion support for students with disabilities $100,000. Throughout the 117th Congress, House Democrats have worked to deliver results for the American people, passing legislation to lower health care costs, create jobs by rebuilding America, making our communities safer, and strengthening our Democracy. Mr. Speaker, our country desperately needs the projects, programs, services, and improvements that are included in this historic spending package. Without passage of this omnibus spending bill, the quality-of- life of millions of Americans would suffer, livelihoods would be jeopardized, and the safety and security of the United States would be sharply diminished. Therefore, I believe this is a critically necessary bill, I support it enthusiastically, and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in voting for passage of this bipartisan, essential legislation.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3949, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022, which reauthorizes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. Human trafficking is one of the greatest ongoing threats to human rights in the world--and in this country. An estimated 25 percent of human trafficking victims are reportedly in my home state of Texas, with Houston being one of the largest hubs for human trafficking in the country. And although some populations are at greater risk of victimization than others, human trafficking spans all races, ages, genders, and every socioeconomic status. In 2020, the National Human Trafficking Hotline identified more than 16,000 victims of human trafficking, who likely represent only a fraction of the actual problem. In that same year, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received more than 21.7 million reports, most of which were related to child sexual abuse material, online enticement, child sex trafficking, and child sexual molestation. Victims who have been exploited or abused sexually or trafficked, whether for labor or sex, require and deserve victim-focused, culturally informed responses from well-trained providers and law enforcement, that direct them towards emergency and long-term services critical to sustaining them as they heal. Funding and grants to develop, expand, strengthen, and provide these victim services and programming are vital to our efforts to identify victims, provide healing, prevent further victimization, and ensure justice. Because it is our duty not only to ensure victims and survivors of these ghastly crimes are not re-victimized but also to provide them with services that help them successfully re-integrate into society, we must extend the authorizations of the vital programs within the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. I support S. 3949 and encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3946, the Abolish Human Trafficking Reauthorization Act. Human trafficking can happen anywhere in America--in rural communities in the form of agricultural labor, in urban communities in the form of massage parlors, and suburban communities in the form of domestic labor, or in any combination. And although some populations are at greater risk than others, human trafficking spans all races, ages, genders, and every socioeconomic status. People who have been trafficked, whether for labor or sex, are not criminals. They are victims who deserve victim-focused, culturally informed responses that direct them towards services critical to sustaining them as they heal and away from the criminal justice system. I am sure we can agree that we must better support victims of labor and sex trafficking, ensure that they are not revictimized or stigmatized, and provide them with services that help them successfully re-integrate into society. And, while we tend to focus on sex trafficking, we must do more to shine a light on incidences of labor trafficking and victims of forced labor. This begins with gathering better data. This legislation would reauthorize and strengthen several programs aimed at preventing human trafficking and protecting victims and survivors within the Trafficking Victims Protection Act or the TVPA-- the cornerstone of the U.S. antitrafficking response. This bill would also encourage collaboration among those entities that identify and support victims, improve law enforcement training, promote data collection, prioritize efforts to respond to cybercrime, and strengthen certain protections for victims and survivors. I thank Senators Cornyn and Klobuchar for their continued dedication to the fight to end human trafficking. I urge all of my colleagues to support S. 3946.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his courtesies. I thank the manager, as well, for rising for this important legislation, which is, of course, S. 1541, the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act. As the chair of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, I see these issues in terms of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Obviously, these issues are rampant in State prisons, as well. What is the basis of the issue? It is family. It is family connectedness. We have heard over and over again how exorbitant the cost is for grandmothers, mothers and fathers, and sisters and brothers to keep connections to individuals who, yes, have committed a crime, have been convicted, and are incarcerated, but they should not have been left out of the circle of humanity and family and the ability to stay connected. This particular person, Martha Wright-Reed, is a person who has been an advocate. But the story surrounds a grandmother who wanted to be involved with her grandson and wound up spending thousands of dollars to be able to communicate, to keep that grandson realizing that even though he had steered in a different direction, maybe a wrong direction, she wanted to make sure that that grandson knew that he was loved and that he had a future. This is the plight of many of my constituents and those around the Nation who have loved ones incarcerated, who are blocked because of the exorbitant cost that really takes their mortgage or their ability to buy food because the cost is so high. I am very grateful to Congressman Rush's leadership and Senator Duckworth, who I had a chance to speak with about how important this legislation is. I rise enthusiastically to support it. I might add, it will be a light to many people who have given up as they have been incarcerated. I want to take a moment as well to acknowledge two bills that have just been spoken about: S. 3946, the Abolish Trafficking Reauthorization Act of 2022, and S. 3949, the Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022. I will simply say, as we all know, human trafficking is one of the greatest ongoing threats to human rights in the world and in this country. An estimated 25 percent of human trafficking victims are reportedly in my home State. These bills are a step forward in funding grants, but as well, I think it is extremely important to recognize that there are other aspects of human trafficking that we must stomp out. I am very glad that these bills are on the floor today, along with the underlying bill that I am supporting, as well as the Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act. As a person who has been involved with M.D. Anderson and Texas Children's Hospital, I know that this is going to be an important bill as it relates to childhood cancer. Finally, in my conclusion, I simply add my support, again, for S. 1541, the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act. I will say that it will save many of those who are incarcerated. It will put them on a pathway of rehabilitation, and it will be fair to those families who cannot afford to spend this amount of money just to communicate with their loved ones.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, it is good in this season to be surrounded by truth. Let me rise to support H.R. 9640, the Presidential Tax Filings and Audit Transparency Act of 2022, because this is a necessity. When the Committee on Ways and Means investigated the IRS' execution of its mandate to audit the taxes of a sitting President, they found that, during the Trump administration, the IRS has been in serious dereliction of its duty to audit the taxes of Donald Trump when he had been President. In fact, we have found and believe that at one time he paid zero. I don't want to necessarily focus on Donald Trump, but he happens to be at the core issue of the fact of: Are we an equal society? The Committee on Ways and Means has emphasized that we are. It leads us to the obvious questions of: Why? Did the IRS simply forget to do it? Did someone misplace his tax returns? Did the auditor of Presidential tax returns retire? I think this legislation is imperative because it must be a general perspective that transparency is for everyone. Let me be very clear: There are hardworking members of the IRS, hardworking members of that team.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, we know and see them all the time. Madam Speaker, in addition to the dereliction regarding the audit of Donald Trump, we have heard that if you are a schoolteacher, you are audited. I want to say to the IRS Commissioner: You are derelict in your duties. You are derelict in your sensitivity to constituents, to calls from Members, and you are derelict in your duty as to what you are supposed to do as related to the President of the United States, not only because he was President but because he was an individual who continued to ignore the laws of the land. I said today was a day of truth in this holiday season. This legislation will bring truth and respect. Let's see those tax returns, and let the IRS do its job on behalf of the American people. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 9640, the Presidential Tax Filings and Audit Transparency Act of 2022. This legislation arose by necessity. When the Ways and Means Committee investigated the IRS's execution of its mandate to audit the taxes of a sitting president, it found that, during the Trump administration, the IRS had been in serious dereliction of its duty to audit the taxes of Donald Trump when he had been president. This was especially troubling because, based on publicly known and commonly held information, Donald Trump's activities and investments presented a wide range of questionable and potentially problematic tax issues, to a far greater degree than any previous president. Donald Trump's taxes are the prototypical example of why the policy was established in the 1970s that required the IRS to audit the taxes of a sitting president. And yet, as the Ways and Means Committee found, it did not happen, either never being initiated or never being completed. It leads us to the obvious question: Why? Did the IRS simply forget to do it? Did someone misplace his tax returns? Did the auditor of presidential tax returns retire? While we don't know the exact answer, the IRS's failure to conduct its statutorily mandated audit of the president's taxes raises the possibility of a nefarious reason for the failure. Given the well-documented, extensive, and repeated malfeasance that was endemic to the presidency of Donald Trump--including all of the evidence presented during his two impeachment trials and his attempt to obstruct the effectuation of the 2020 election and subvert the Constitution, as exposed by the January 6th Select Committee--it is obvious that Trump had little or no interest in personally adhering to the law. Because of that, Congress would be naive to believe that the IRS's failure to audit Trump's taxes was merely an administerial error. Whether the failure was due to a specific instruction that was transmitted directly to the IRS leadership, or an implied directive that was recognized, or possibly some other means of observing or conveying Trump's wishes, it would be foolish to ignore the possibility that a president who flouted the law with impunity on so many occasions had instead, in total contrast, insisted on strict adherence to the law in connection to the audit of his personal taxes, and that his views played no part in the failure of the IRS to audit his taxes. This obvious observation is accentuated by Trump's public statements displaying his antipathy to paying his fair share of federal taxes. Perhaps most resoundingly, during a 2016 debate, he said that, by paying nothing in federal taxes over a series of years, ``That makes me smart.'' All of this pertinent background underscores the obvious basis for the legislation that we are now considering: Congress must ensure that the failure by the IRS to audit a sitting president's taxes Never Happens Again. This bill codifies the requirement that the IRS conduct and complete an audit of the sitting president's taxes each year, and publicly disclose certain information about its findings. The bill also requires the IRS to audit any additional filing by a former president that relates to a year in which he or she had been in office. Since it is the responsibility of Congress to ensure that the tax code is administered fairly for every American, it is especially important that Congress apply that to the most powerful American at any given time: the president of the United States. Fairness requires even-handed application of the law to everyone, including those with the most influence over our governmental institutions. Failure to adhere to this precept would subordinate public confidence in our democracy the whims of the person who presides over the entire executive branch of our government. Failure to abide by fairness in the enforcement of our tax code would negate fairness as a fundamental American principle. Failure to apply the tax code to the president in an even-handed manner, just like it applies to other Americans, would assert acquiescence of justice and the rule of law to Machiavellian, autocratic, narcissistic personal interests and personal power. That may be how things work in countries run by monarchs, but that's not how the United States works. In fact, it is antithetical every stroke of the quill that composed our Constitution. Madam Speaker, I strongly support this legislation because it is necessary and appropriate, and it effectuates bedrock American principles. I urge all my colleagues to vote YES on this bill to empower the IRS to do its job--free of fear or favor--and remind every future president that he or she is subordinate to the Constitution and the rule of law, just like every other person in our country.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman and the manager of this bill. I display this picture for everyone to see because a picture is worth a thousand words. This is McKayla and a constituent of mine, Simone Biles. As indicated, these women have spent years investing in their sport and rising to the level of excellence, and they are victims that should not have been victimized. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the Respect for Child Survivors Act. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the article titled: ``Senators Propose New Bill Following USA Gymnastics Scandal.'' [From NBC Los Angeles, September 22, 2022] Senators Propose New Bill Following USA Gymnastics Scandal (By Kristen Conti) A group of senators have decided to roll out a bill to adjust the intricacies of the USA Gymnastics scandal with the implementation of The Respect for Child Survivors Act, following the Larry Nassar incident. The intentions of the act are to improve the way the FBI interacts with underage witnesses and victims in sex abuse and human trafficking cases. The catalyst for this endeavor surrounds the FBl's previous failures in handling the Nassar investigation from 2015. Nassar is currently facing decades in prison for abusing underage athletes on the USA Gymnastics team. The FBI failed to act, despite being notified of the allegations in 2015. It took them over a year to take action, leaving Nassar many more months to prey on the girls. Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and Maroney are among the over 100 alleged victims of Nassar. What is the Respect for Child Survivors Act? The Respect for Child Survivors Act, which primarily aims to handle the interactions between the FBI and abuse victims, is a parallel to two other acts--The Adult Survivors Act and The Child Victims Act (CVA). The act, which has officially been introduced as a bill, will soon be assigned to a committee whose members will discuss and implement the necessary and proper changes to the bill. Next, the bill will be put before the chamber and be voted on, which will determine whether it will become a law. The timeline for this process has yet to be determined. When will the Adult Survivors Act go into effect? The Adult Survivors Act will go into effect in November 2022. The bill, which is sponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brad Hoylman and Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal, was framed to resemble The Child Victims Act. The CVA, previously passed in 2019 and extended in 2021, only covers abuse that happened to people under 18. Who does the Adult Survivors Act serve? The victims in the Nassar case were under 18 when the crimes were committed and reported in 2015. However, it wasn't until 2016 that the FBI began to investigate and truly ignite action. And at this point, the young athletes surpassed the age limit the CVA covers. The Adult Survivors Act allows a one-year windows for survivors of adult sexual abuse in New York to file a civil lawsuit. Claims will be eligible even when the statute of limitations has already expired. What does the Respect for Child Survivors Act require the FBI to do? The new legislation will require the FBI to use multidisciplinary teams with trauma expertise when investigating these types of cases, even in cases where the victim is no longer a child. The bill aims to make sure cases like this are not prolonged like the Nassar investigation had been. ``It takes tremendous courage for young victims of sexual assault to tell their story and overcome the fear that they may not be taken seriously, may be ignored, or may be wrongfully blamed,'' said Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, one of the bill's sponsors. ``To avoid re-traumatizing victims during the investigation process, it's imperative we give these individuals the support they need to ensure survivors feel respected during the interview process and abusers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.'' The bill was directly inspired by the testimony of former Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney, who was wrongfully treated during FBI interviews about the scandal. ``They had legal, legitimate evidence of child abuse and did nothing,'' said Maroney at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Sept. 2021.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this bill was inspired by the heroic testimony of gymnast and survivor McKayla Maroney, who came before Congress to share a story of the abuse she and more than 100 others faced at the hands of Larry Nassar. McKayla told Congress that when she was asked to speak to the FBI about Nassar's abuse, she told them everything, she poured her heart out to them. She spoke to FBI agents over the phone for 3 hours. Can you imagine how painful that was, as she sat on the floor of her bedroom recounting details of molestation--information she had not shared with her mother? She wanted to make a difference. She wanted to protect others. She said it was the most uncomfortable conversation that she ever had in her life. But she thought as uncomfortable as it was, she was making a difference and, hopefully, protecting others from the same abuse. She thought and trusted that they would act quickly for the sake of the other girls. She waited and waited and waited and heard nothing. They did nothing. We know now that the FBI's failure to listen to McKayla and other survivors allowed Nassar to continue his abuse, his torture of these young, beautiful women and continue to molest them. Our outstanding athletes who we cheer and are so proud when we are looking at the Olympics, look what they had to suffer. These young women made great sacrifices to pursue their sport and represent the best of their country. They put their safety in the hands of their coaches and their doctors and ultimately, the FBI, the people who were all supposed to protect them but failed. I am very grateful to Congressmen Costa and Gonzales and all the sponsors in the Senate. As the chair of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, we had a hearing dealing with the human trafficking issues. This is a mighty powerful bill. We hope that we will pass the no trafficking zone bill in the other body that complements this because I don't know if anybody realizes, this is a scourge, it is an epidemic. This bill will provide for wraparound services so that whatever is said by a child, that this can now be utilized to protect others. That is what the no trafficking zone is about, and that is what we are trying to protect. As I close, Mr. Speaker, I want everybody to realize that just in the last 24 hours they talked about a sextortion campaign against young boys--where do they do it? Online. Where are children online? At schools, among other places--to extort from children who are asked to take pictures of themselves. This legislation is crucial. The no trafficking zone legislation is crucial. We hope that it will pass as well, and we are grateful for the work that has been done. Finally, let me say that I congratulate those who supported the Equal Pay for Team USA Act for 2022. I couldn't support it even more. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4926, the ``Respect for Child Survivors Act.'' This bill was inspired by the heroic testimony of gymnast and survivor McKayla Maroney, who came before Congress to share her story of the abuse she and more than 100 others faced at the hands of Larry Nassar. McKayla told Congress that when she was asked to speak to the FBI about Nassar's abuse, she told them everything. She spoke to FBI agents over the phone for three hours as she sat on the floor of her bedroom, recounting details of her molestation--information she had not even shared with her mother. She said, ``it was the most uncomfortable conversation I had ever had in my life, but I thought as uncomfortable as it was, I was making a difference, and hopefully protecting others from the same abuse . . . I thought and trusted that they would act quickly for the sake of other girls. I waited, and I waited and heard nothing.'' We know now that the FBI's failure to listen to McKayla and other survivors allowed Nassar to continue his abuse and to molest more young women. These young women made great sacrifices to pursue their sport and represent the best of their country. They put their safety in the hands of their coaches, their doctors, and ultimately, the FBI--people who were all supposed to protect them but failed. McKayla is not alone in coming forward to bravely share her story so that Congress can do better to protect victims and survivors of abuse. In April, I convened the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security for a hearing on federal efforts to combat human trafficking. At this hearing, we heard from survivors who explained the many hurdles faced by those who are trafficked. These individuals came from different parts of the country; they were different ages, ethnicities, and genders; and they experienced different types of abuse and trafficking, including both labor and sexual exploitation--but they nonetheless had a great deal in common. They often put their trust in an adult who was supposed to protect them. They often told multiple people about their abuse before finding someone who would help them escape. And they experienced significant obstacles as they sought freedom, justice, and healing. We must do more to make sure that the FBI is never an obstacle. The treatment that McKayla and other survivors experienced at the hands of the FBI never should have happened, and with this legislation, Congress can ensure that it will not ever happen again. The Respect for Child Survivors Act directs the FBI to use multidisciplinary teams of trained experts to interview victims of child sexual abuse or child trafficking. This is critical to providing trauma-informed care and preventing further harm. The bill also requires that victims are connected with advocates and that critical information is shared with these advocates to support victims' needs. The bill encourages coordination with Children's Advocacy Centers, which already have significant expertise in supporting the diverse needs of child victims. Lastly, the bill creates a case review process to ensure no victim or investigation is forgotten. This legislation is supported by the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network; the National District Attorneys Association; Army of Survivors; and the National Children's Alliance. I thank Senators Cornyn, Coons, Grassley, and Klobuchar for their leadership in bringing forth this bipartisan legislation in the Senate, and I thank Congressman Costa and Congressman Gonzales for championing the House companion. While I hope that we continue to make progress in the fight to combat human trafficking in the 118th Congress, it is my hope that the Senate will pass my No Trafficking Zones Act, which already passed the House this year with bipartisan support. There is much more that we can and should do to support victims of child abuse and human trafficking, and to prevent these horrible crimes from occurring, but I am pleased that we are taking this important step today.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished chairman, I thank the manager, and I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia from Texas, and Senator Cornyn from Texas, and the other sponsors. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the crucialness of this legislation dealing with the lighterers. It is about the economic engine that many of us have in our communities, and that is, of course, the port, but also the travel and business and the issues of recreation that are encountered on large vessels. This bill will give these individuals the time that they need to do the proper work safely, rather than the short time of 29 days, to have an extended period of time to respond is both, in this climate, an economic boost, a recognition of fairness in the immigration process, and to recognize the importance of the hard work that the lighterers do. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Congresswoman Garcia, Members of the other body, and Senator Cornyn for the work that is going to shine a light on better productivity and a better economic aspect of this work.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Committees on the Budget, Judiciary, and on Homeland Security, I rise in support of the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1437 ``Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023'', a resolution that provides funding to continue the operations of the federal government through December 23, 2022, and avoids a wasteful and irresponsible shutdown. Passage of this resolution will avoid an inexcusable and unjustifiable government shutdown that would disrupt the lives of millions of Americans who rely on the resources and support provided by the federal government. If this resolution does not pass: Millions of veterans will lose their healthcare benefits. People relying on Social Security will not receive their checks. Millions of government employees will lose their wages. Millions of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries would lose access to visits and other medical needs. Food Stamps will not be sent out, leaving millions of Americans who rely on them at risk of hunger. Health insurance coverage to millions of children through the CHIP program will stop. All projects created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will pause, and national parks and Smithsonian museums will close. In addition to these programs, House Democrats have worked tirelessly throughout the 117th Congress to pass legislation that will better the lives of Americans, legislation that has established programs that would also be impacted by a government shutdown. Our legislative agenda this Congress focused on lowering the price of health care and prescription drug costs, creating better paying jobs, acting on the climate crisis and making communities safer. For example, in this Congress the House has passed and sent to the President the following legislation that has been signed into law: H.R. 5376--Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 This historic piece of legislation lowered health care and prescription drug costs for millions. It forces Big Pharma to negotiate lower prices, caps the cost of drugs and insulin for seniors on Medicare, and locks in lower health insurance premiums that will save 13 million Americans an average of $800 a year. And the Inflation Reduction Act's clean energy provisions will make clean, secure American energy more affordable. H.R. 1319--American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 This law helped pull the economy out of the pandemic. It put vaccines in arms, money in pockets, and reopened the American economy. H.R. 3684--Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act This law enacted a historic investment to rebuild our roads and bridges and bring clean water and high-speed internet to more communities and created millions of union jobs. S. 2938--Bipartisan Safer Communities Act The enactment of this bill expands background checks for the purchase of firearms, add increased protections for victims of domestic violence, and fund violence prevention in schools and stronger mental health services to stop tragedies like mass shootings before they happen. House Democrats have also made strides to bettering American life through legislation that has yet to see action in the Senate. These include: H.R. 1, For The People Act This comprehensive legislation would promote government transparency, strengthen access to the ballot box and make it easier for Americans to exercise their right to vote, secure election infrastructure, and curb the influence of dark money in politics. H.R. 6, Dream and Promise Act The Dream and Promise Act would protect Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) status holders from deportation and provide an opportunity to obtain permanent legal status that would enable these groups to work legally within the United States and continue to contribute to their local communities and economy. H.R. 7, Paycheck Fairness Act This bill would strengthen labor protections around equal pay by prohibiting the use of salary history to set compensation, provide more transparent options for joining class-action lawsuits challenging systemic discrimination, and require employers to show that gender pay gaps are job-related and consistent with business need. H.R. 842, Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act This bill aims to strengthen labor protections for union workers through overriding Republican-led ``right to work'' laws, promoting free and fair union elections, and holding companies that attempt to restrict union activity accountable. Mr Speaker, with your leadership, House Democrats have passed historic pieces of legislation that will benefit Americans for years to come, but our work is not done. If we fail to pass this Resolution, the new programs that we have enacted into law during the 117th Congress, as well as all the other services and programs of the federal government will be shut down and American people in every corner of the country will suffer needlessly and severely. As Members of Congress, it is our responsibility to ensure that the government continues its operations so that Americans may continue to receive the resources services provided by the federal government passed December 16, 2022. I strongly support this legislation and urge all Members to join me in voting for the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1437 ``Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1948, the VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021. Throughout my career in Congress, I have always supported our veterans as well as those at the VA who serve, assist, and treat our veterans, especially those who have health care needs, so that they can optimally enjoy their post-service life.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8393-- Puerto Rico Status Act, to provide a plebiscite to be held on November 5th, 2023, to resolve Puerto Rico's political status. Throughout my decades of service in Congress, I have been an ardent and consistent supporter of the Puerto Rican peoples' right to self- determination. I have stood alongside our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters on many legislative efforts that would empower them to choose the governance status of their preference, as is their right, both as American citizens and in accordance with their basic human rights. The population of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is 3.19 million. Puerto Ricans are the largest group of U.S. citizens with Hispanic heritage, and yet, are treated with only 2nd-class citizenship. In fact, Puerto Ricans have been the largest body of U.S. citizens which do not enjoy the privileges usually accorded to citizenship, including voting representation in Congress and the right to vote in Presidential elections. It is a widely held belief in Puerto Rico that the residents of the Commonwealth should be empowered to decide their own political status. The Commonwealth's status is an internal matter among the people of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico has hosted 6 referendums on the topic of statehood, with the most recent being in November 2020. The results of that referendum were that 52.5 percent of the electorate voted for statehood. It is obvious that the people of Puerto Rico want to change the way they are represented in their own governance and that of the United States Government. During the referendum in 2012, 54 percent of voters agreed that they did not want to maintain their current method of governance. The majority of those that did not want to maintain the status quo chose statehood as the alternative that they preferred. While many of these referendums have been held and have told us what the people of Puerto Rico think, nothing has materialized as a result. This is why it is essential that Congress allow a plebiscite to Puerto Rico to resolve it's political status. Voters in Puerto Rico should be provided with the opportunity to choose independence, sovereignty in free association with the United States, or statehood. It is imperative that this voting process be fair and free of any disinformation, propaganda, or wrongdoing. All voters should be provided with voting materials in both English and Spanish, and all voting campaigns should be dedicated to providing voters with educational materials related to the plebiscites and potential outcomes. The Puerto Rico State Elections Commission shall ensure that any educational campaigns are non-partisan in nature and provide voters with accurate information that allow them to vote according to their best interests. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8393--Puerto Rico Status Act, so that the Commonwealth can decide what is best for its people. All Americans deserve representation, and this bill provides Puerto Ricans the right to make that decision for themselves.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1156, expressing the commitment of the House of Representatives to building on the 20 years of success of the George McGovern-Robert Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. The McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program helps support education, child development and food security in low-income, food-deficit countries around the globe. In 2017, there were 821 million people worldwide experiencing hunger. That is 1 in every 9 people. Sixty-six million children are experiencing hunger worldwide every day. One in 6 children are food insecure. According to UNICEF, approximately 3.1 million children globally die from undernutrition every year. It is estimated that every 10 seconds a child around the globe dies from hunger. Even in the United States, hunger and food insecurity are major problems. In my home of Houston, almost 725,000 people experience food insecurity, which amounts to about 23 percent of Houston's households. More than 500,000 Houstonians live in food deserts. These food deserts are found mostly in areas with limited transportation, lack of aid, and high unemployment rates. Hunger is also tragic because it reflects economic and social inequity. In Houston, for example, food deserts are more likely to occur in primarily Black communities. Lack of food doesn't just impact a child's hunger levels. Food insecurity stunts a child's growth and development and often children fall behind in school because they are unable to focus while experiencing hunger. Children who experience food insecurity grow into adults with health complications that emerged from the lack of food. As former Chair of the Congressional Children's Caucus I worked to improve the lives of children not only in the United States, but globally because the children are the future, and we must do everything possible to protect them. Global food insecurity is of great importance to me because, not only am I a longtime Member of the House Hunger Caucus, I represent the same Congressional District that had been represented by iconic leaders who fought to end hunger in the U.S. and globally. I am proud to continue the historic legacy of Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who was a champion for human dignity and fought for the rights of all people regardless of race, gender, heritage, or economic status, and Congressman Mickey Leland, who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of, and fight for, policies to end food insecurity around the globe and who, tragically, died in a plane crash while working to end world hunger on a relief mission in Ethiopia. Starvation is a terrible thing. It's something that nobody should have to go through. And yet, there are people in this world who are starving right now as a consequence of natural disasters, war, and even as a tool of warfare. In Pakistan, food deprivation is compounded by the human toll from recent floods and other natural disasters. Using drought to strategically exacerbate starvation is unacceptable. The people of Ethiopia's Tigre Province are being subjected to a truly vile and malicious use of food deprivation in this way. The region was already suffering from drought, and when compounded by forced starvation from denial of access to food as a weapon of war, the effect is heinous and the consequences are unforgiveable. Russia's aggression against Ukraine is a global food insecurity tragedy on multiple levels. As Putin wages his war against the people of Ukraine, he uses food as a weapon by destroying the food production and transportation capacity of the country he invaded. At the same time, since Ukraine grows grains and crops that feed much of the world, Putin's devastation of Ukraine's food production infrastructure and takeovers of Ukrainian food exports cause food insecure populations of countless countries to suffer, especially in Africa. The McGovern-Dole program also aims to defeat malnutrition. Children across the globe are affected by malnutrition and the McGovern Dole program is working to combat this debilitating condition. The McGovern-Dole Program has been successful at saving lives all over the world for 20 years. This program boosts school enrollment, increases attendance, and improves reading outcomes and literacy results through providing school meals, teacher training, and government capacity-building. The McGovern-Dole Program has been able to improve health, nutrition, and dietary practices through supporting Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN). The program encourages the inclusion of health and nutrition sensitive activities, such as micronutrient-fortified products, take- home rations, treatments for illnesses, and nutrition education. H. Res. 1156 must be passed. With bipartisan Congressional support, the United States has been able to work with other countries on hunger, specifically childhood hunger, which is a devastating condition. It is imperative that we continue to work together to reduce hunger worldwide. We must end this unnecessary suffering before it claims even more lives. This bill must be important to us all. Investing in children today will only benefit the world in the future. We must continue this program to address global food insecurity and create conditions for peace and stability. This effort will support U.S. farmers, millers, shippers, and commodity groups that provide agricultural commodities for the program to help combat malnutrition and food insecurity worldwide. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this critical bill that will build upon the 20 years of success of the George McGovern- Robert Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of S. 198, Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act, to require the Federal Communications Commission to incorporate data on maternal health outcomes into its broadband health maps. Worldwide pregnant mothers experience health outcomes such as hypertension, preeclampsia, extreme nausea, and even maternal mortality. These health conditions impact the experiences of pregnant women, but for many women poor health outcomes don't end after pregnancy. In Texas, there are 14 deaths per 100,000 live births, but where are these deaths occurring? Is there a common theme in maternal mortality in the state that could be mapped in order to study the issue further? In the United States much of this data is tracked, but it is not mapped, which would assist in understanding which health outcomes are common in certain counties, states, and as a country. The Mapping Broadband Health in America platform, which is operated by the FCC, allows users to visualize, overlay and analyze broadband and health data at the national, state and county levels. The maps are an interactive experience, enabling detailed study of the intersection between connectivity and health for every county in the United States. The resulting maps can be used by both public and private sectors, and local communities, to identify opportunities and gaps in connectivity and care. It can help inform policy decisions, facilitate interagency coordination, encourage public/private partnerships and investment, and drive innovation, directing resources to areas with overlapping broadband and health needs. In an effort to improve maternal health in the United States, we must be able to study the issue across the country on a county, state, and country wide level. In 2020, 861 women died of maternal causes in the United States. That's 861 women who planned on living full, healthy lives and planned on being parents to the children they carried for 9 long months. That's 861 children who must grow up without their parent. That's 861 families that are forever altered. That's a medical system and society that has failed 861 women. These numbers are heart breaking. With all the advances in technology and improvements in our healthcare system, health outcomes continuously get worse for women. With the help of data mapping, researchers would have the opportunity to visualize the areas where maternal mortality is most prevalent in an effort to lower maternal mortality rates. Data mapping would show the health outcomes that are common among expecting mothers on local, state, and country wide levels. This would allow legislators to make policy decisions based on health outcomes. Also, medical professionals could seek treatments that improve the health outcomes of expecting mothers, and women could see where health outcomes are best for expecting mothers. Women's health is an issue that is very near to my heart. With reproductive rights being stripped from us, maternal mortality at an all-time high, and violence against women that has surged since the pandemic started, there is growing concern that women's health will continue to suffer on a massive scale. We must take action to protect not only ourselves, but also future generations of women who deserve the right to high quality medical care. S. 198, Data Mapping to Save Moms' Lives Act, is important because it would accelerate improvements in the health of moms in the United States. This bill directly impacts the health of women and their families. I know that this bill is important to my constituents in Houston. Improving the birthing experience for these women is a top priority to me. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this critical bill that will direct the FCC to incorporate data on maternal health outcomes into its broadband health maps.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman of the House Administration Committee for her leadership. I also thank our resident historian, Congressman Hoyer of Maryland, for constantly reminding us of the better virtues of our history. To my dear friend as well, a Congressman who was eloquent on the floor of his age but also his recognition of the importance of this legislation, I thank him for the bipartisan support. Mr. Speaker, let me acknowledge my friends that have supported this legislation, including Joyce Beatty, Karen Bass, now mayor of Los Angeles, Barbara Lee, Jim Clyburn, and my cosponsorship as well, because we knew what was important and what had to be done. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support S. 5229, that is a downsizing of the House bill to direct the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to remove the bust of Roger Brook Taney in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the Capitol and to obtain a bust of Thurgood Marshall for installation in the Capitol or on the Capitol grounds and to be able to lift America up. It is important to lift America up to her better angels in the understanding of the richness of our history. Those of us who are African Americans came first in the bottom of the belly of a slave boat. We have never had that acknowledged. But it was acknowledged in the Dred Scott decision when it was affirmed with this effort of Roger Brook Taney to say that we were less than a person, that it was all right to make those who were slaves not a human being; that our children were raised under that, and our grandchildren were raised under that. I remind people that slaves were so long in slavery that they were born slaves, lived as slaves, and died as slaves, which brings me to the importance of H.R. 40, the Commission to Study Slavery and Develop Reparation Proposals. We must get our hands around this issue of slavery and not be afraid of it. The very fact that the bust will be removed, again, in the words that were said by my colleague, it will get rid of the horribleness of what happened, the outrage of what happened. I believe the placing of Justice Thurgood Marshall's bust will be a grand step forward, a mighty step forward. It is absurd. It is horrible. It is without understanding. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support it. As well, if I might, I want to raise S. 2607, the Tom Suozzi bill, Iran Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act, and say that it is long overdue. I met with the hostages' family members who had lived through this tyranny and had lived through it for many days, 53 hostages, which occurred on November 4, 1979. As I recall, they were held for over a year. There were many attempts to free them.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, they remained heroes and patriots, and I believe this is the minimum that we can do to give to those hurting families still, those children that I met, those grandchildren that I met that wondered what happened to their families. Here we, as a Nation, will recognize that time of their lives when they never gave in to tyranny and never gave up their belief in the values of this Nation. Again, we remind ourselves that democracy is precious, and it is not free. We must fight for it at every turn. Those who were held hostages as American citizens fought at every turn. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support S. 2607, as well as S. 5229. They both represent the best of what America is, and they both represent telling our story, our history, and honoring it. This is a great democracy, and we must show it every day.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 7., the ``VAWA Technical Amendment Act of 2022,'' that would ensure Native Hawaiian victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sex trafficking, and other such crimes have access to vital VAWA resources. When the Violence Against Women Act first became law in 1994, it represented an historic shift in the federal government's role in combating violent crimes committed against women. Due to the importance of the legislation and its resulting success, VAWA was reauthorized on an overwhelming bipartisan basis in 2000, 2005, and 2013. As we negotiated the most recent reauthorization, I was adamant that Congress acknowledge the cries of the multitude of voiceless native women. That we should do more to improve coordination and communication between law enforcement agencies, empower tribal governments with resources, and improve the way we collect data about missing and murdered native women. And although each piece of VAWA is critical to support and protect victims of violence, I thought it necessary to pay special attention to the plight of tribal women, who suffer extraordinarily high rates of victimization. That is why we must pass the ``VAWA Technical Amendment Act of 2022''--to make sure that Native Hawaiian victims and survivors are supported and protected. The VAWA Reauthorization--which made its way to the President's desk this year--made several improvements to the Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors (STOP) grant program. The STOP grant program was established to assist state, territorial, local, and Tribal governments in responding to violent crimes against women, including the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as the appropriate treatment of victims. The grants have long been used to develop effective strategies to assist victims and survivors through nonprofit, community organizations. Eligibility for the grants was expanded under the reauthorization for individuals and grantees, and the authorized uses of grants under the expansion now include supportive services for American Indian victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Unfortunately, due to a drafting error, Native Hawaiian organizations have been unable to access STOP grant funds for the benefit of Native Hawaiian women, thereby denying an entire community of victims and survivors restorative, stabilizing care. This is a serious problem with an uncomplicated solution. S. 7 would amend relevant statutory provisions to make sure Native Hawaiian organizations can render aid to their communities using STOP grant funding. As has always been true, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization is comprehensive and inclusive legislation that responds to the many varied and changing needs of diverse victims and survivors across the country by making meaningful improvements. This bill exemplifies that sentiment. I applaud Senator Mazie Hirono for spearheading this bill to ensure that no victim or survivor is denied access to VAWA's life-saving resources, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support it.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman from the Committee on the Judiciary, the gentleman from New York, and the manager who is joining us on these bipartisan bills, which many of them had their origins in the House. I am delighted that the Senate was able to join us. These bills come under the Senate name because of the fact that we are working with the Senate on many of these similar bills in order to have them become law, because they are important. I rise now to support S. 2991, the Countering Human Trafficking Act. I thank the Senator from Michigan who offered this legislation, and it deals with making the Center for Countering Human Trafficking permanent and requires other changes to strengthen the center's contribution for the fight against human trafficking. Let me be very clear on the floor. Human trafficking is an epidemic. It is a pandemic. It is a scourge on the fabric of America. Human trafficking is one of the greatest threats to human rights in the United States. In 2020, 11,190 instances of potential human trafficking were reported to the United States National Human Trafficking Hotline, with at least 70 percent of these instances involving sex trafficking. The one thing about sex trafficking, it is more profitable than drugs, because you utilize, unfortunately, the tragic human being who has been made part of the bounty of your profit and recycle them over and over again, and they are young girls and boys in many instances. I will continue to advance and support legislation, like the bill before us today, as well as programming aimed at preventing human trafficking, protecting victims and survivors, as an estimated 25 percent of human trafficking victims are reportedly in my home State of Texas at any given time, many of whom are minors. In our State of Texas, we have developed strong advocacy groups that fight against human trafficking and even have done something innovative, which means that we have called our sports arenas No Trafficking Zones. So I rise to support this legislation with over 5,359 trafficking victims and survivors identified through the hotline in 2019. I introduced H.R. 7566, the Stop Human Trafficking in School Zones Act, now known as the No Trafficking Zones Act. I pronounce today on the floor, this bill must pass. We must have the Senate agree to this bill so this can be a complement to the bill that we now have on the floor. We have done hard work. We have worked with the Senate. We want to make sure we get this bill passed. I rise also to support the bill previously discussed, the VAWA Technical Amendment Act of 2022. I thank Senator Hirono for this courageous legislation to protect Native Hawaiian victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sex violence, and others, to have access to the vital services of VAWA, which I think are extremely important. I also rise to support S. 5230, Billy's Law, or the Help Find the Missing Act. This is important. I have worked with missing and exploited children. This bipartisan legislation would fix the gaps in our Nation's databases of missing persons and unidentified remains, providing much-needed closure to the thousands of families who have endured the trauma of losing someone they love. Each year, more than 600,000 Americans are reported missing. While many are ultimately found, at least 22,000 are currently missing. I know that for a fact, Mr. Speaker, because I have dealt over the last month with a family whose loved one was missing, it was very painful, until tragically this person was found, and they were not found alive. But the pain of missing the person and not getting any response, this should be very helpful in at least giving comfort to families who are desperately in need of finding their loved one. So as we go forward on this legislation, I hope to continue the work that we need to do with the Senate to move forward. My final support is for S. 2899, the Prison Camera Reform Act of 2021. It is bipartisan legislation that would require the Bureau of Prisons to reevaluate the security camera, land-mobile radio, and public address systems in use at BOP institutions and submit to Congress a report. This is very important for civil liberty, civil rights, and prison employees.