Sheila Jackson Lee

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I stand today to reinforce the importance of the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, the FAA, because it is particularly important to realize that to move this Nation, we must make sure that we protect our passengers and our flight crew. Besides the almost $4 billion in airport improvement dollars, in addition to reinforcing the training and the protection of our crews, reinforcing pilots' doors, making sure we have diversity and reach out to all over the Nation to build the aviation industry by reaching out and training new pilots, as well as ensuring that passengers are dignified or treated with dignity and have the respect of airlines. This is a bill that should have the ability to move forward out of this House, but I am unhappy about how the pilots were treated in terms of their opposition to the raising of the age. I will continue to work with the Senate to ensure that we listen to our pilots. I listened, and I hope that we will finally have an FAA bill that will really be securing growth and robust leadership in the American aviation community. We must respect our pilots. They get us off the ground, they get us to our destination, and they get us back on the ground. We will continue to work and fight for our pilots and their issues.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman very much for yielding time. Let me first say that the administration enthusiastically supports the work of Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen for the great work that they have done. This is good for America. This is good for Houston, Texas, and it is good for Texas. I have two airports in the region, including Hobby International Airport and Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Ellington Field that see some commercial flights. It is good that we will get between $3.35 billion and $4 billion to help in the airport funding program of which I saw about 40 to 80 million come to our Bush Intercontinental Airport in the last couple of weeks. It is important to have the flexibility to deal with environmental issues, and, of course, it is extremely important to have a $45 million training program for a pipeline for pilots, aviation maintenance, and aviation manufacturing. Why? Because schools like Texas Southern University that uniquely has one of the only HBCUs training of pilots program will be able to do more and fill that pipeline with pilots. In addition, we respond to the assaults that have been occurring against employees and crew, and respond by an employee assault prevention response plan, which is extremely important. We did this during 9/11, but now we are looking at more secondary cockpit barriers that will be more important. As well, we want to make sure that we have a task force of air carriers. This bill is for airlines and airports, but it is for the traveling public, as well. It deals with air law enforcement, aviation labor unions, and others to be able to work together. I am excited about the Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee to encourage more young women to become pilots, as we need more pilots every single day. The matter that I worked on as a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, finally we set standards for foreign aircraft repair stations, so that when our American airlines are overseas, they are subject to the same standards of American repair stations. We were very concerned about that after 9/11.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me dwell on an amendment that I offered to get through the backlog of pilots that are now well after they have been off for some medical reason and the backlog of getting them back into the stream of flying is taking long. We need to look at that because these are perfectly able pilots, but they are still on medical leave. I also want to ensure that we have mental health relief for our pilots, like 29-year-old Chris Daniel, who was doing well, but after the pandemic began experiencing depression. Chris' doctor suggested treatment for his depression, but as a pilot, he was too afraid to go. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in America Aviation Act of 2023. The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act helps maintain America's gold standard in safety, fosters innovation, strengthens and diversifies the U.S. aviation workforce, and invests in resilient and sustainable infrastructure. This is an important bill that I offered an amendment to help improve through the Rules Committee, the Jackson Lee Amendment. While the Rules Committee did not make my amendment in order, it is important to highlight what it would have done and what is still needed to assist and strengthen aviation in our country. In particular, the Jackson Lee Amendment would do the following: Implement the creation of the Aviation Medical Innovation and Modernization Working Group and a report on recommendations from the Working Group on the evaluation of the conditions an Aviation Medical Examiner can issue. Improve and reform to the Special Issuance process, including whether, after initial medical certification by the FAA, renewals can be based on a medical evaluation and treatment plan by a pilot's treating medical specialist with concurrence from the pilot's Aviation Medical Examiner, in addition to other measures that will help ease the process and remove the backlog for when pilots return from medical leave. It would pilot a mental health task group to develop and provide recommendations related to supporting the mental health of aircraft pilots. Finally, my amendment requests a report that would provide recommendations for best practices in detecting, assessing, and reporting mental health conditions and treatment options as part of pilot aeromedical assessments. The Jackson Lee Amendment would have strengthened this legislation by keeping the health and safety of airline pilots at the forefront.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, let's help our pilots be strong medically and mentally, and let's make this the best aviation system in the world. Mr. Chair, I include in the Record an article from Scientific American. [From Scientific American, Nov. 22, 2022] We Need To Change the System That Keeps Pilots From Seeking Mental Health Care (By William R. Hoffman) By 29 years old, Chris Daniel felt he had it all: a wife, two beautiful children and fulfillment of his lifelong dream of becoming a U.S. airline captain. But in the spring of 2022, after years of flying, Chris knew something was not right. Shadows from his past were reemerging, strained by post-COVID travel demand and long, taxing weeks on the road. Years earlier, Chris's physician had suggested that his low mood and trouble sleeping might be symptoms of mild depression. But like many pilots, he balked at the idea. If a doctor diagnosed depression or if he sought help, Chris assumed he would never be able to fly again. Seeking help seemed unthinkable because losing flying was akin to losing everything; being a pilot was who he was. Chris's story is not unusual. While mental health symptoms are common in airline pilots, getting help can affect their ability to work in a big way. Airline pilots are required to meet certain medical standards in order to maintain an active flying status, and disclosing a new symptom or condition to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) puts them at risk of losing, usually temporarily, their ability to work and fly. This is particularly true for mental health symptoms. The FAA bars pilots from the cockpit if they report seeking regular talk therapy for even mild anxiety or depression; this may last for months and sometimes even years based on the assumption they pose an unacceptable risk to safety. In fact, pilots find themselves among only a handful of professions that require disclosure of any encounter with the health care system, including mental health visits. While it makes sense to ground a pilot in distress, the current system often fails to recognize the dynamic and often situational nature of mental health symptoms and often drives pilots from seeking care. Time off the job can have negative repercussions such as loss of pay and need for recurrent training, and the expenses of additional medical evaluations required by the FAA often fall onto the pilot. All of these together result in a population of pilots working the fleet who are suffering in silence and fearful to get the help they need. We must rethink the system that drives pilots from attending to their mental health and change what seeking mental health care services means in aviation. Data my group and others have gathered are beginning to reveal the scope of this problem. Our findings demand attention. In our recent study of more than 3,500 U.S. pilots, 56 percent reported behavior that we classify as avoiding health care (for example, getting health care outside the traditional system to avoid its documentation) specifically because they feared the loss of their clearance to fly. Interestingly, 26 percent of pilots reported that they had withheld information during their FAA health checkups for the same reason: the fear of losing their medical clearance. This is sometimes called ``losing their wings.'' In a sister study, more than half of pilots in our sample had something they felt needed to get checked out--maybe it was mental health related, perhaps a knee injury, or even just a rash--but waited or decided against it because they worried about their career. While our studies focused on overall health care, we suspect this finding also applies to mental health. Many pilots have reasonably good access to health care. This includes health insurance, paid time off and sometimes other union protections. Instead, these data suggest a barrier exists because pilots are asked to weigh the benefits of seeking help against the professional costs that they alone bear. How bad does mild anxiety need to become to warrant a prolonged absence from work? For most pilots, very bad. The growing demand for pilots in our travel-hungry, COVID- endemic world is likely to make this problem more complicated. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects 18,100 new pilot jobs each year for the next decade, precipitated by the continued growth of air travel. As compensation has soared in 2022, more is being asked of pilots, including longer and more frequent trips to keep pace with passenger demand, This is in the context of other airline professions--such as maintenance and administrative staff--facing major personnel shortages, placing further strain on a system already operating at its limits. Higher demand on pilots can lead to additional time away from family and friends, leading to an even greater need for mental health care services. Simply put, pilots' need for mental health care is likely to only grow in the coming years. While on the surface it might seem that increasing the pool of pilots would ease the situation, more pilots won't fix the existing challenges in the system. Flight training programs are expanding, and some airlines are taking the unprecedented step of establishing their own training programs. But, while class sizes are growing, they are being filled by a younger and more diverse generation of student pilots who may not be as willing as their predecessors to quietly suffer. In fact, emerging data suggest the willingness of current pilots (who are still largely in the 40-to-60 age range) to avoid health care for job security may not be as true for the next generation. ``Younger pilots are different from past generations and are more willing to identify as needing help when it comes to their mental health,'' John Dulski, 21, an aviation student at the University of North Dakota and advocate for aviation mental health reform, told me during a recent phone call. ``Many are more willing to choose to get care at the risk of stepping away from flying.'' The answers to why such a phenomenon is occurring remains an open question that our research group is trying to understand. Could it be related to social media lowering the stigma of mental health or the influences of growing up through the pandemic? We hope future research will reveal the answer. A new generation of Gen Z airline pilots more open to stepping away from flying to seek mental health care services may only further strain the shortage of pilots. But more importantly, it should call for industry to rethink what it means for an airline pilot to be mentally fit and what services they should be able to receive while still working the fleet. We can all agree that safety in aviation should be the foundation for meaningful change. Certainly, a pilot with a severe mental health condition shouldn't be flying. But the opportunity lies for pilots with mild symptoms. These are high performing professionals who are perhaps facing one of life's usual stressors--a divorce, a family death or even just the chronic stress of the job. How might we rethink a system that enables this group to seek mental health care services in hopes of sidestepping a diagnosis that could go on to fully pull them from flying? One answer is clear. The FAA should change policy to permit pilots with mild symptoms to seek professional regular, and if needed prolonged, talk therapy without loss of their medical certification. Such a change would have major benefits for people on both sides of the flight deck door, including treatment to prevent symptom worsening, and regular pilot assessment by a professional mental health provider. Recognizing that mental health is on a dynamic spectrum and that many pilots could benefit from talking to a professional mental health provider at some point in their career has the potential to keep pilots flying healthy while also increasing safety in the system. Pilot unions and airlines should fuel this movement by raising awareness about the problem their pilots face and by lobbying for an alliance of stakeholder to determine how best to safely enact this change. While credit is due to the FAA for recently making several positive policy changes related to mental health, there is still work to do and time is of the essence. Chris Daniel never did get help for his mental health symptoms, and despite an excellent flying record, he died of suicide in June 2022. While we believe suicide is relatively rare among pilots, this extreme outcome is in part why we must create positive change. With the use of appropriate supervision and reevaluation, aviation's safety culture should shift to thinking of mental health care services as a marker for wellness and prevention instead of risk and disease. This change would not only benefit pilots, but also the 2 million U.S. passengers who trust the aviation system every day.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak on the rule for H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. This is an important measure that for over 60 years, Republicans and Democrats have come together to support investments authorized in the NDAA that will help address the changing global landscape and prepare the country for future challenges and threats. I along with my colleagues have offered a number of robust and thoughtful amendments in furtherance of a process that has generally been bipartisan work on behalf of America's national defense. However, I am dismayed that this year, my Republican colleagues in the majority have refused meaningful consideration of the majority of amendments offered by my Democratic colleagues. While I am grateful that one of my amendments was made in order, the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075 (No. 136 as reported in the Rule) and included in the En Bloc package No. 3, it is beyond disappointing and disgraceful that my additional 19 amendments were not made in order-- and particularly ones I have offered for many years and have been made in order. With respect to my amendment that was made in order, I ask for a favorable vote on the En Bloc package No. 3 in support of the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075 would require that a report be submitted within 220 days of the NDAA's passage detailing our national capacity to provide disaster survivors with short term housing. In the aftermath of emergencies and national disasters, victims have much on their minds. Homes, properties, businesses, and livelihoods may have been damaged in the disaster, and families, friends, and community members may be mentally and physically affected by the disaster, not to mention additional challenges as they seek to return to work and school. As these communities begin to face the long process of recovery and rebuilding, short term housing is one of the first things disaster survivors need to get back on their feet. Unfortunately, my constituents and I are no stranger to these kinds of disasters. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area, affecting over 100,000 homes across the city. In the aftermath of the storm, finding temporary housing was one of the biggest challenges to recovery for many survivors. Short-term housing was difficult to coordinate due to the sheer number of Houstonians affected. As such, it is crucial that Congress have a strong understanding of our current capabilities and, specifically, our ability to provide these survivors with short term housing before disaster strikes. If voted on favorably, this report will not only inform us of our current capacity to provide housing but will also better equip Congress to respond to disasters and support survivors in the future. In addition to this amendment, I offered the below listed amendments. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1401 requires an annual report on maternal mortality rates for military members and their dependents. Women make up about 17 percent of the active military population. As such, their specific health needs are a critical piece of force readiness and the well-being of U.S. troops. In order to ensure military readiness, it's important that the full scope of women's health care needs are understood and provided for. The knowledge gained through this report will best equip the creation of meaningful policy and standards of care for women in the military. Despite generally lower rates of maternal and infant mortality compared with the United States overall, per a 2019 report generated as a result of my request to do so in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232), the continued monitoring and reporting on these rates is crucial and highly relevant--particularly in light of the heightened attacks on women's reproductive health and the recent Supreme Court's decision effectively overturning Roe v. Wade. Maternal and infant health are important indicators of the overall health of a Nation. More than 40 percent of active-duty service women reported a pregnancy since joining the military and 16 percent reported a pregnancy within the prior year. Beyond those directly serving in our military, this report would also support the needs of the pregnant dependents of those in the military and ensure that they also receive the standard of care they deserve. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1401 would have ensured a proactive approach to enshrining maternal health, especially for our military families. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1403 authorizes a $10 million increase in funding for increased collaboration with NIH to combat Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Triple negative breast cancer is a specific strain of breast cancer for which no targeted treatment is available. The American Cancer Society calls this particular strain of breast cancer ``an aggressive subtype associated with lower survival rates.'' I offered this amendment in hopes that through a coordinated effort DOD and NIH can develop a targeted treatment for the triple negative breast cancer strain. Breast cancers with specific, targeted treatment methods, such as hormone and gene-based strains, have higher survival rates than the triple negative subtype, highlighting the need for a targeted treatment. Breast cancer accounts for 1 in 4 cancer diagnoses among women in this country. It is also the most commonly diagnosed cancer among African American women. The American Cancer society estimated that in 2019, over 33,000 new cases of breast cancer would occur among Black women, with about 6,540 breast cancer deaths expected to die from the disease. Today, Black women are 40 percent more likely than white women to die from breast cancer. Black women are also 12 percent less likely to survive five years after a breast cancer diagnosis. One reason for this disparity is that African American women are disproportionally affected by triple negative breast cancer. And in my district, the statistics are even more shocking for Black women. In Houston, the breast cancer death rate for black women is nearly double than average. Several preventable factors contribute to this. Namely, that Black patients are 1.5 times more likely to be uninsured than white patients and are simply unable to obtain and receive access to lifesaving treatment. In fact only 54 percent of Black women, in Houston, receive annual breast cancer screenings. This is unacceptable. We must do better in making sure all those inflicted by this deadly cancer have access to treatment and opportunity to live their lives to the fullest. For these individuals and the tens of thousands of survivors and their daughters the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1403 is desperately needed. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1404 provides authorization for $2.5 million increase in funding to combat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This amendment is intended to address the urgent need for more post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatment and counseling facilities servicing veterans living in some of the more distressed areas of our country. We can never do enough to honor our wounded veterans. The Congressional Research Service puts the number of troops deployed since 2000 suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at nearly 67,000. Rates of PTSD among Veterans are twice as high as PTSD rates among the general population. Of the six million Veterans served by the VA in Fiscal Year 2021, 10 percent of men and 19 percent of women were diagnosed with PTSD. This number does not take into account those suffering from depression or anxiety. When wounded troops return home, the treatment they receive is more befitting a second-class citizen than a hero. This is unacceptable for a country that has the resources to provide Veterans and members of the Armed Forces with World Class Care. In 2013, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Department of Veterans Affairs treatment of mentally ill veterans is so inadequate, it is unconstitutional. The decision said, ``many veterans with severe depression or post-traumatic stress disorder are forced to wait weeks for mental health referrals and are given no opportunity to request or demonstrate their need for expedited care.'' Increasing the number of medical facilities specializing in post- traumatic stress disorder located in underserved urban areas is the first step Congress can take to providing veterans with the services they need. Access to post-traumatic stress disorder treatment is especially important since veterans living in such areas are less likely to be diagnosed and treated for post-traumatic stress disorder. For those of us whose daily existence is not lived in harm's way, it is difficult to imagine the horrific images that American servicemen and women deployed in war zones see on a daily basis. The courageous men and women of the Armed Forces brave IEDs, attacks, injury, and horrific violence to protect the safety and security of the United States, and we must, in turn, care for them when they return home. We must make this a priority and increase the number of medical facilities specializing in PTSD located in underserved urban areas. These soldiers can be certain that Members of Congress will ensure that they receive the necessary treatment to guarantee that their adjustment back into society is a successful one. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1404 would have helped to ensure that no soldier is left behind. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1508 directs the Secretary of Defense to carry out a study and report to Congress on service-related injuries and medical conditions that occur post-enlistment and the determination of disability ratings based on age, race, gender, ethnicity, type of injury, and other functions as relates to the 50 percent or higher disability rating requirement for Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) for military personnel or veterans, who are eligible for both VA disability payments and military retirement pay. Since its inception on January 1, 2004, the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) has made it possible for military retirees to receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation. Under the CRDP eligibility rules, however, a military retiree may be entitled to CRDP only if they are a regular retiree with a VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater, among other considerations. This rating requirement may be significantly impacted by the discretionary powers of VA disability examiners who often make rating decisions largely based on judgment calls. This may have negative consequences for certain groups of people who are misconceived to have higher tolerance for pain compared to other races or groups. The result is certain groups disproportionately receiving higher disability ratings for low tolerance for pain as compared with others. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1508 would have ensured that the Secretary of Defense carries out a study to assess bias and discrimination in the VA disability rating system for compensation and pay (VA claim) examinations and to determine whether the judgement component of these examinations, often at the discretion of the examiners, is sometimes biased against certain races who are considered to have higher tolerance for pain. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1511 directs the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and professionals in the field of psychology with expertise in pediatric and adolescent mental health, to conduct an assessment of evidence-based strategies that may be used to reduce the security threat posed by active shooter incidents at public elementary schools and secondary schools located on the grounds of federal military installations without being apparent to students as law enforcement or security measures. This amendment further directs that not later than 180 days after NDAA enactment, the Secretary shall submit to Congressional defense committees a report on this assessment. I offered this amendment because, while I applaud the Pentagon's Inspector General's efforts at commencing a comprehensive research project on how various law enforcement agencies of our military branches have responded to active shooter incidents and violence in the workplace on military installations over the years, I still believe that more needs to be done to protect our kids in the classroom on every military base. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1511 would have prioritized the students' mental, emotional, and psychological health and development in the planning and implementation of active shooter trainings and the disruption and trauma it can impose on children in and of itself. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1513 requires the Secretary of Defense to audit current practices regarding administration of sexual harassment claims and submit a report no later than 180 days after passage detailing efforts to prevent sexual harassment and protect service- members, and compiling data and research on sexual harassment prevalence in the military, cases reported, legal proceedings, and convictions. In 2021, sexual assaults surged in the military, with 8,886 cases reported, from 7,816 in 2020. A 2022 survey estimated that 35,875 active-duty service members experienced ``unwanted sexual contact'' in 2021. These are very concerning numbers and major action is needed. Currently, the Department of Defense is required to provide an annual report on sexual assault in the military, including data and planned actions for improvement. While we deeply appreciate the ongoing cooperation and determination to address sexual harassment concerns, we are long overdue for a thorough audit of current practices regarding the handling of sexual harassment claims. To ensure accountability and effectiveness, it is important that the sexual assault claims process is thoroughly evaluated. The knowledge gained through the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1513 would help equip the creation of meaningful policy and standards for accountability against sexual assault in the military and ensure that we continue to effectively protect the men and women that serve this country.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on the rule for H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. This is an important measure that for over 60 years, Republicans and Democrats have come together to support investments authorized in the NDAA that will help address the changing global landscape and prepare the country for future challenges and threats. I along with my colleagues have offered a number of robust and thoughtful amendments in furtherance of a process that has generally been bipartisan work on behalf of America's national defense. However, I am dismayed that this year, my Republican colleagues in the majority have refused meaningful consideration of the majority of amendments offered by my Democratic colleagues. While I am grateful that one of my amendments was made in order, the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075 (No. 136 as reported in the Rule) and included in the En Bloc package No. 3, it is beyond disappointing and disgraceful that my additional 19 amendments were not made in order-- and particularly ones I have offered for many years and have been made in order. With respect to my amendment that was made in order, I ask for a favorable vote on the En Bloc package No. 3 in support of the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075 would require that a report be submitted within 220 days of the NDAA's passage detailing our national capacity to provide disaster survivors with short term housing. In the aftermath of emergencies and national disasters, victims have much on their minds. Homes, properties, businesses, and livelihoods may have been damaged in the disaster, and families, friends, and community members may be mentally and physically affected by the disaster, not to mention additional challenges as they seek to return to work and school. As these communities begin to face the long process of recovery and rebuilding, short term housing is one of the first things disaster survivors need to get back on their feet. Unfortunately, my constituents and I are no stranger to these kinds of disasters. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area, affecting over 100,000 homes across the city. In the aftermath of the storm, finding temporary housing was one of the biggest challenges to recovery for many suIvivors. Short-term housing was difficult to coordinate due to the sheer number of Houstonians affected. As such, it is crucial that Congress have a strong understanding of our current capabilities and, specifically, our ability to provide these survivors with short term housing before disaster strikes. If voted on favorably, this report will not only inform us of our current capacity to provide housing but will also better equip Congress to respond to disasters and support survivors in the future. In addition to this amendment, I offered the below listed amendments. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1051 directed the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the naming practices recognizing African American service members in the Department of Defense. Throughout the history of our Nation, from the Battle of Lexington through the Battle of Fallujah to Afghanistan and Iraq, Black soldiers have served honorably and answered the call to duty during our nation's time of maximum danger. For over 200 years, African Americans have participated in every conflict that confronted this Nation. Besides fighting the common enemies of this country with unmatched bravery and valor, Black soldiers also had to confront individual and institutional racism of their countrymen. African American servicemembers have served with great valor and distinction in all branches of our nation's armed forces. Since the revolutionary war, Black Americans have faithfully defended this Nation and built a legacy of courage, commitment, and professionalism. Like any other group of Americans, Black soldiers have served the armed forces with great honor, distinction, and generational inspiration. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1051 would have ensured that the legacies of Black American servicemembers are duly recognized and honored. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1104 requires a report to be submitted to Congress within 240 days of NDAA enactment on the risks posed by debris in low Earth orbit and to make recommendations on remediation of risks and outline plans to reduce the incident of space debris. Space debris encompasses both natural and artificial particles and this amendment would address the risk of man-made space debris. Man- made objects in Earth's orbit that may no longer serve a useful function can include nonfunctional spacecraft, abandoned launch vehicle stages, mission-related debris and fragmentation debris. Space debris travels at speeds up to 17,500 miles per hour--fast enough for a small piece of man-made debris to damage a satellite or a spacecraft. There are more than 20,000 pieces of debris larger than a softball orbiting the Earth. There are 500,000 pieces of debris the size of a marble or larger tracked by NASA, and there are many millions of pieces of debris that are so small they can't be tracked. This amendment seeks a report on risks posed by man-made space debris, solutions for reducing risks, and strategies for reducing the incidence of more man-made space debris being introduced into space. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1104 would have addressed these challenges. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1402 requires the Secretary of Defense to ensure that military academy graduates undergo screening for speech disorders and be provided with their results. Many officer positions and occupation specialists require successful performance on the speech test, so it is essential that military academy students are aware of their status as they shape their career path. Under this amendment, military academy students would have the option of undergoing speech therapy to reduce speech disorders or impediments. Thus, military academy students who do not perform successfully on the speech test have the opportunity to improve their performance and potentially go on to pursue the officer and specialist positions they seek. Approximately 5-10 percent of all children stutter as they develop language skills. Boys are 2 to 3 times more likely to stutter than girls. And approximately 75 percent of children recover from stuttering, but the remaining 25 percent will experience life-long effects of stuttering. I offered this amendment to help entrants into military academies find the right career fit for their military service after graduation. I learned about the issue of stuttering and its implications for a successful military career through the experiences of a Legislative Fellow who once served in my D.C. office. He was a 2016 graduate from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Operations Research and a veteran naval officer who was separated from the Navy in April 2019 because his speech fluency testing results did not meet the Naval Aviation community standards, and so he was disqualified from serving as an aviator. At that critical juncture he was not informed about what careers he could qualify to fill that would not be impacted by the determination regarding his speech. This Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1402 would have represented an important investment in military academy students, improving transparency and providing avenues for personal improvement, ensuring quality candidates for vital military leadership positions. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1405 removes bill language about Critical Race Theory, thereby rejecting any efforts to inject politics into the armed services. In this way, my amendment affirms the importance of July 26, 1948, the date that President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, creating the President's Committee on Equality of Treatment and Opportunity in the Armed Services. This executive order desegregated the military and declared that there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin. This was a major step forward and was the result of dedicated advocacy efforts from the NAACP and ACLU, as well as President Truman's own commitment to the issue. The importance of this Executive Order and the change it brought about cannot be overstated. The diversity of the military and the equality of opportunity found there is one of the major strengths of the armed services. It is crucial that the armed services continue their commitment to live out the promises of equality and opportunity enshrined in Executive Order 9981. The current provisions of the NDAA which prohibit the use of federal funds for critical race theory are largely political in nature and represent a step away from the promises President Truman made of equality and opportunity in the military. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1405 would have ensured that these political provisions are struck, thereby affirming the value of diversity and equality of opportunity throughout our military. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1406 requires a report be provided to the House and Senate Armed Services committee on the extent that readiness relies on electricity availability to bases, installations, and duty stations. The report would provide an assessment on the military's reliance upon electricity service provided by transformers that manage power transmission from high power lines to end points. The assessment would evaluate supply chain issues impacting the availability of transformers and surplus transformers held in reserve by the military. The report would also assess the overall market supply and demand for transformers, and any risks that market availability issues of transformers pose to military readiness, to ensure recommendations on resolving any risk to readiness posed by supply chain issues with transformers. The report would also evaluate the extent if any that extreme weather plays on transformer supply. As such, Congress can be best informed on military readiness if supply chain issues with transformers persist. And Congress can ensure that the bases, installations, and duty stations of the armed services maintain the electricity they need to remain reliable and fulfill their function, even in times of crisis induced by natural disasters or supply chain issues. This Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1406 offered a proactive approach to military electricity supply and would have ensured informed responses when issues arise. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1509 helps to address military recruitment and retention needs by providing the following modifications to the J-1 Visa process: J-1 Visa holders who have been legally admitted into the United States and have successfully completed 8 months out of a 12-month visa duration or 14 months out of an 18-month visa duration may pursue opportunities to join the military. If inducted into the armed services, they would qualify for permanent residency provided they meet other enlistment requirements, military fitness standards, have no criminal background, and are of good conduct during their period of enlistment and during which time they may pursue citizenship. During the first years of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, many military experts expressed concerns that the constant deployments could negatively impact the force with the expectation that fewer young Americans would volunteer to serve in a wartime military. The expectations of these experts seem tenable given the current recruitment crisis following our full withdrawal from Afghanistan the summer of 2022. With the current trend, this recruitment crisis shows no signs of abating anytime soon. As a result, we see shrinking numbers in all branches of our forces. To put this in perspective, the last fiscal year, the Army missed its recruitment goal by about 15,000 active-duty soldiers, roughly 25 percent of its target. Consequently, the army was forced to cut its projected active-duty end strength from about 476,000 down to around 466,000. Shrinking numbers is not caused by strategic choices but largely due to the lack of qualified volunteers. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1509 would have addressed this recruitment crisis with serious implications for our strategic position in this increasingly uncertain and dangerous world. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. l510 directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a task force 180 days after enactment that will report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and make publicly available an annual report that explains the progress made over the history of the Department of Defense and its predecessor departments (Department of War) and experiences in integrating African Americans into the branches of the armed services and the civilian staffing of Pentagon offices and agencies. The report shall provide information on the lessons learned about the social, cultural, legal, and logistical challenges faced, obstacles incurred, advances made, and the impact of integration on the warfighting capacity of the Nation. In this way, the lessons of military integration can be drawn upon by policy makers charged with the important and necessary work of binding up the nation's wounds first inflicted with the governmental legalization and tolerance of slavery in the United States. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1510 would have made this possible. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1512 requires the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to submit a report identifying the personnel, training, and equipment required by the non-federalized National Guard to prevent, mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural and manmade disasters. It is always hard to ever fully be prepared for what is to come whenever any form of disaster strikes. It therefore helps to know that the survival specialists of the Air National Guard are always equipped, ready, and quick to respond and assist the affected communities. Whenever a state of emergency is declared, it is because the authorities believe that the disaster that has occurred or is imminent, is severe enough to require State or federal aid to increase local resources to prevent and alleviate damage, suffering, and hardship to the affected communities. The Air National Guard has an exceptionally unique role in aiding the prevention and recovery of these forms of disasters disaster. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1512 would have ensured that the Air National Guard was prepared to successfully fulfill their role in disaster prevention and recovery. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 15l4 requires the Secretary of the Navy, not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, to submit to the congressional defense committees a report on desalinization technology's application for defense and national security purposes to provide drought relief to areas impacted by sharp declines in water resources. Throughout the history of our Nation, the U.S. Navy has been a pioneer in national defense and security technology. The two main types of desalination systems on Navy ships, including reverse osmosis and distillation, produce up to 12,000 gallons of fresh, drinkable water a day. The U.S. Navy has a unique opportunity to share resources and technology that lowers the cost of clean water production and use low- carbon energy sources. Now, as climate change becomes an increasing national security concern, desalinization technology could have rippling benefits for drought concerns here in the U.S. and around the world. In one of the most unstable and geopolitical regions of the world, the Middle East and North Africa, water scarcity is a severe problem, with over 60 percent of the population having little or no access to drinking water. Currently, the region is heavily dependent on their current system of desalination, which is expensive and energy intensive. As many as 13 out of 22 Arab countries fall into the category of severe water scarcity and Navy desalination technology could make significant improvements in their process, addressing both climate change and security concerns. Beyond addressing humanitarian concerns, this report will support needs here at home as water scarcity is a growing concern. New desalination technologies could give Americans an opportunity to be prepared for the next water crisis. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1514 offered a proactive approach to protecting our national security and our planet as a whole.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman very much, and I want to join the stellar Members from so many different backgrounds to add another 2 minutes to that 30 minutes and emphasize that it is now 32 more minutes than we have had an opportunity to discuss gun violence--gun violence against our children. I am reminded of the late John Lewis, and as I look to the front, Mr. Speaker, where you are, I am reminded of the overwhelming impact that gun violence had just a couple of years ago when he was alive, so much so that Members took to the floor--the actual floor--and sat down on the floor because the pain was so deep. I remember the tear that President Obama shed as he had to speak about Sandy Hook. I remember going to Uvalde within days of 19 children and teachers being slaughtered. Yes, Mr. Speaker, they were slaughtered with an AR-15 that a young man was able to get online and have shipped to him without any background check of sorts and without any supervision. He was able to recklessly shoot his grandmother in the face and leave his house to go to an elementary school just a few blocks away. One could not expect law enforcement initially to know what was going to happen. One thing we do know is that if that young man had not had an AR-15, those little babies in Uvalde, where parents are still in such abject pain, would still be alive. We also know that as I worship with them, as I hug them, they have now become, through their own advocacy, absolutely incredulous that we in this country have not been able to pass bans on assault weapons. I support bills like the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act, which impacted Kimberly Vaughan, a 14-year-old who died in Santa Fe because another young man was able to get guns that were left at home. I think I am here as a mother and as a Member of Congress who has been here since Columbine. I remember being on the Columbine task force to see what we could do about guns. I have been through Sandy Hook, Parkland, Santa Fe, Virginia Tech, various churches, synagogues, and temples that have seen gun violence--and dance studios. I don't know what it takes for this Congress to come together. No one is trying to take away anyone's firearms. The Second Amendment is constitutionally present. It is in place. None of the language in the Second Amendment prevents us from having a reasonable, safe regulatory scheme that will help save all of our lives. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman very much. As the vice chair of the gun task force and the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, we are waiting and ready to take up bills as we did with the Protect our Kids Act and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. There is still a lapse of real bills that further need to be in place to change laws. The waiting period, the issue of universal background checks, and storage bills are really crucial to saving lives. The last point I will make is that we often use mental illness. Let me say that we pray for people who suffer from mental health concerns, but other countries around the world have people who suffer from mental health concerns, and I do not label them in generality. These are human beings who fight every day to survive. That is not a good excuse for saying that is what is causing gun violence. It is not. In tribute to my colleagues who come from cities like Chicago and other cities where there is handgun violence, individual violence, and domestic violence, you need to have a response to just plain gun violence. That means we have to debate on this floor and find a common solution. A word to my colleagues in the name of the children who have died, the number one killer of our children in America, and in the name of places like Uvalde and Sandy Hook that comes to mind, Parkland and other places where children have died, we can minimally do something to help our children. Let's do real anti-gun violence legislation. Let's make our children safe. Mr. Speaker, today, I speak out in support of my bill H.R. 52, the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act. This bill establishes best practices for safe firearm storage to protect Americans, especially children, from improperly stored or misused firearms. The Kimberly Vaughn Firearm Safe Storage Act is named after one of the victims of a shooting rampage that took place on May 18, 2018, when a 17-year-old student went on a shooting rampage, killing 8 students and 2 teachers and wounding 13 others at Santa Fe High School in Houston, Texas. The shotgun and pistol used by the perpetrator belonged to his father and were available to him at home. In 80 percent of gunfire incidents at schools where the shooter is under 18, the shooter obtained the firearm from their home or the home of extended family or friends. Texas is the state with the second most mass shootings this year so far with a total of 50, and the highest number of mass shooting deaths in the U.S. Only 3 of 10 adults in households with children report storing all guns unloaded and locked up. Safe storage practices are also important to keep firearms away from dangerous individuals. In the last decade, nearly two million firearms have been reported stolen. An estimated 47,000 guns are stolen each year in Texas alone. Overall, at least 186,548 firearms were reported stolen in Texas over from 2007 to 2016, which is more than any other state in the nation. America's gun epidemic is as deadly as ever. The frequency of firearm violence can largely be accredited to the lack of safe firearm storage. Previously part of the Protecting Our Kids Act in the 117th Congress with the addition of a tax credit program, the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act is an exhaustive solution to improperly stored or misused firearms. Firearm injury is the leading cause of death for children and young adults in the United States. American children are twice as likely to be shot and killed as they are to die drowning. However, there are more safety regulations for pools than gun storage. An estimated 4.6 million minors live in homes with at least one unlocked, loaded firearm. One in three U.S. households with children have firearms and firearms accounted for nearly 19 percent of childhood deaths in 2021, which is a 50 percent increase since 2019. Securing firearms protects children in preventing unintentional shootings and firearm suicides. The spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association noted earlier this year that, ``the NRA supports safe storage for every firearm owned in America, and we educate gun owners to keep firearms away from unauthorized users.'' This is a nonpartisan issue with a bipartisan solution. On average, 9 minors are killed by improperly stored or misused guns every day. In my home state of Texas, more than 4,000 Texans are shot and killed each year. The Kimberly Vaughn Firearm Safe Storage Act is an important bill that will establish best practices for storing firearms. In particular, the Attorney General is directed to establish voluntary best practices relating to safe firearm storage and publish them on a website and in print. Second, it will require most weapons to have a clear written notice on the packaging that says, ``Safe Storage Saves Lives'' and how to obtain the best practices established by the Attorney General. Additionally, the bill will provide grants to states and local governments with a ten-year, $10 million grant program to distribute safe storage devices. Every year, almost 20,000 children are shot and killed or wounded by a firearm, and 3 million are exposed to gun violence. The presence of unsecured firearms in the home increases the risk of unintentional and intentional shootings. It is long past the time to do something about the epidemic of gun violence in our nation--the nation that prides itself on protecting our children and the future generations. If we want to protect the youth, we must start by learning how to effectively store guns in the homes that choose to have them. The Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act will help protect our children and adults from senseless gun violence through simple gun storage legislation. I encourage my colleagues in the House and on the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to push this bill forward so we can promptly and proactively act on preventing firearm violence in America.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak on the rule for H.R. 2670, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. This is an important measure that for over 60 years, Republicans and Democrats have come together to support investments authorized in the NDAA that will help address the changing global landscape and prepare the country for future challenges and threats. I along with my colleagues have offered a number of robust and thoughtful amendments in furtherance of a process that has generally been bipartisan work on behalf of America's national defense. However, I am dismayed that this year, my Republican colleagues in the majority have refused meaningful consideration of the majority of amendments offered by my Democratic colleagues. While I am grateful that one of my amendments was made in order, the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075 (No. 136 as reported in the Rule) and included in the En Bloc package No. 3, it is beyond disappointing and disgraceful that my additional 19 amendments were not made in order-- and particularly ones I have offered for many years and have been made in order. With respect to my amendment that was made in order, I ask for a favorable vote on the En Bloc package No. 3 in support of the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1075 would require that a report be submitted within 220 days of the NDAA's passage detailing our national capacity to provide disaster survivors with short term housing. In the aftermath of emergencies and national disasters, victims have much on their minds. Homes, properties, businesses, and livelihoods may have been damaged in the disaster, and families, friends, and community members may be mentally and physically affected by the disaster, not to mention additional challenges as they seek to return to work and school. As these communities begin to face the long process of recovery and rebuilding, short term housing is one of the first things disaster survivors need to get back on their feet. Unfortunately, my constituents and I are no stranger to these kinds of disasters. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area, affecting over 100,000 homes across the city. In the aftermath of the storm, finding temporary housing was one of the biggest challenges to recovery for many survivors. Short-term housing was difficult to coordinate due to the sheer number of Houstonians affected. As such, it is crucial that Congress have a strong understanding of our current capabilities and, specifically, our ability to provide these survivors with short term housing before disaster strikes. If voted on favorably, this report will not only inform us of our current capacity to provide housing but will also better equip Congress to respond to disasters and support survivors in the future. In addition to this amendment, I offered the below listed amendments. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1010 condemns the actions of Boko Haram and directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on efforts to combat Boko Haram. Since 2009, Boko Haram has subjected women and girls to unbearable and severe forms of abuse, including sexual slavery, sexual violence, forced marriages, forced pregnancies, and forced conversions. The United Nation's Human Rights Council report on violations and abuses committed by this despicable organization reveals the negative impact of such violent acts on the affected communities and individuals. And this year, in March of 2023, Boko Haram displaced at least 3,000 people in fighting along Nigerian border towns and villages. In April of this year, Boko Haram militants also destroyed hundreds of homes in Cameroon. Despite regional coordination efforts by the African Union in creating Multinational Joint Task Force to fight Boko Haram, this violent organization continues to commit gross human rights abuses and serious violations of international humanitarian law, resulting in ongoing casualties and further destruction of property. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1010 would have supported efforts by the African Union and other international entities to effectively counter the atrocities of this organization. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1084 directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a report on the actions taken to protect members of the Armed Forces of the United States from armed attacks conducted by militants and terrorists in pursuit of bounties and inducements by the agencies, organizations, or entities aligned with the Russian Federation. In 2020, there were reports that Russia was placing bounties on American soldiers. Although these reports have not been confirmed, we must be prepared to contend with such threats. The lives of our Armed Forces should be valued and protected from our Nation's adversaries. It is important that we use our resources to ensure the safety and well-being of America's service members, as their bravery and valor are vital for America's success. It is our duty to ensure that our troops can return to their families. That is why I introduced an amendment to ensure that a report is made detailing the actions taken to protect Armed Forces members from armed attacks. Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1084 would have ensured that we take a stand against attacks on our military and continue to protect men and women serving this country. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1099 requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the programs and procedures employed to ensure students studying abroad through Department of Defense National Security Education Programs are trained to recognize, resist, and report against recruitment efforts by agents of foreign governments. Tens of thousands of American students study abroad each year, with hundreds of them going through the Department of Defense's National Security Education Programs. This past year, the National Security Education Program enrolled 108 Boren fellows and 210 Boren scholars, in addition to those enrolled in the organization's seven other study abroad programs. Protecting these students in their time abroad is a priority; hence, the need for the Secretary of Defense to ensure students know how to detect foreign intelligence and recruitment efforts. Generating awareness about risks that study abroad students could face overseas will safeguard America from being targeted by foreign governments. Security measures offered by my amendment, Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1099, would have continued to protect America's future by preventing foreign intelligence services from acquiring tools to inflict harm on America. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1108 requires the Secretary of Defense to evaluate the threat to national security posed by domestic terrorist groups and organizations motivated by a belief system of white supremacy. Since 2010, white supremacists have carried out at least 17 lethal attacks, resulting in no fewer than 77 deaths. White supremacist attacks account for more than half of all fatalities from domestic terrorism, per the FBI. As such, the FBI has deemed that white supremacists ``pose the primary threat'' in domestic terrorism. FBI reports have identified these racially-motivated extremists as part of a transnational movement facilitated by online networks. Due to the FBI's assessment of a rising threat of domestic violence rooted in white supremacy, it is essential that Congress be thoroughly informed on this matter. This amendment and the report it commissions will provide valuable information and an up-to-date, detailed evaluation of the potential domestic violence threat these groups pose moving forward. In this way, Congress can better create meaningful policy solutions that enshrine national security and safety for all. The Jackson Lee Amendment No. 1108 offered an important proactive approach to combatting domestic terrorism.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong opposition to the Rule for H.R. 3941, ``Schools Not Shelters Act of 2023''. This bill is an absurd measure to condemn the use of elementary and secondary school facilities that provide shelter for people caught up in emergencies, just like we do for other disasters. Using the facilities of a public elementary or secondary school to provides shelter for non-U.S. nationals who are not admitted into the United States should not be politicized, as this is humanitarian issue and failure of our broken immigration system. As a Member on the Homeland Security committee, and more specifically the Border Security and Enforcement subcommittee, I interact with those at the border and migrants frequently. I believe that a comprehensive approach is needed to find a lasting solution to the current immigration crisis. However, I think it is essential that migrants are brought and allowed into the country through legal immigration. I am a strong proponent of humanitarian aid efforts in the immigration context, from preventing the breakup of individual families because of a wrongful deportation to ensuring that victims of civil wars and national disasters around the globe receive a temporary protected status under the U.S. immigration laws. We should not condemn the use of public elementary or secondary schools provide shelter for non-U.S. nationals who are not admitted into the United States. I acknowledge that school are places of learning and development for students, but there are time periods when school campuses are not being used, such as during school breaks. Because of this, the space could be used for humanitarian aid purposes, such as allowing migrants to stay there while they wait for legal processing and paperwork to conclude. Other exceptions need to be reviewed, such as whether migrants could stay at schools when school is in-session, but humanitarian aid should not be overlooked in the immigration context. As a leading country on the global stage, it is our duty and responsibility to assist who we can in a legal manner. More importantly when it comes to schools in America, we should be addressing critical issues that are truly impacting our educational system--namely, the hostile state takeovers of majority-minority school districts--as is what is happening in my district with the Texas Education Agency takeover of the Houston Independent School District. State takeovers in other districts have led to school closures, layoffs, and no improvements in test scores. The vast majority of school districts that have been taken over by state agencies (TEA included) have not improved but declined. With data ranging back to the late 1980s, researchers found that most state takeovers don't translate to academic improvements. We have to stop the State from intermeddling and overstepping into our educational systems--causing further harm and damage to our communities, That is why I have called upon President Biden and the Department of Education to investigate and take immediate I action to address the recent systematic and dangerous efforts underway by state and local officials in Texas seeking to undermine and undo decades of civils rights protections and advancements in educational institutions and student populations. And so, I am here today to say that these are the issues that the American people truly care about and want us to be fighting for, for the protection and preservation of their educational rights . Emergency response agencies have always used school facility sheltering to provide emergency services to affected individuals and communities; the use of these facilities as a temporary shelter for migrants puts no students in danger. These school facilities have always been used as emergency shelters during disasters such as weather-related events. No colleges or public K-12 schools should lose federal funding because they provide temporary relief to migrants. If Republicans are really concerned about measures needed to ensure school safety, they should support all measures that address gun violence prevention and mental health issues. If my colleagues genuinely want to address students' safety, they should join with us to focus on the real causes of violent deaths in our country--guns. Gun violence is decimating our families and communities--mass shootings in schools, places of worship, shopping malls, concerts, and urban neighborhoods. A majority of Americans, including parents, teachers, students, and educational workers support common sense and meaningful actions that address the surging violence in our schools and colleges. All that this bill does is to punish schools that Republicans think are helping migrants. By singling out emergency use for migrants, this bill is only about Republicans' continuous opposition to any effort that provides support for the migrant community. That is why I had offered the following amendments to be considered by the Rules Committee: Jackson Lee Amendment 13 would simply prevent the enactment of H.R. 3941 until we actually address and enact comprehensive immigration reform in the United States such that the Federal immigration system operates efficiently and offers a fair, humane, and orderly pathway to citizenship. Jackson Lee Amendment 15 would also prevent enactment of this bill until my bill the ``Grant Relief for American Children's Elevation (GRACE) Act of 2023'' is implemented such that the ``exceptional and extremely unusual hardship'' term as defined in Section 240A(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 12229b(b)) is amended, to include hardship resulting from separating a family member who is a United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident or an individual lawfully admitted to the United States and a family member who is subject to deportation or removal from the United States. A study on Facts and Fictions of Race and Family in U.S. Immigration Policy found that the United States governing framework of family sponsorship is rooted in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, also known as the Hart-Celler Act. The act eliminated the 1924 national origins quotas while maintaining the principle of numerical restriction by specifying annual caps as well as per-country limits on immigration. Under the act, ``immediate family,'' specifically spouses, minor children, and the parents of U.S. citizens, are admitted without numerical quotas. After that, there is a system of hierarchical preferences in which the claims of U.S. citizens are placed above those of legal permanent residents. There is also a ranking of the family relationship that is based on assessments of familial proximity and of age, especially in the case of parents and children. The dominant political narrative of the 1965 act at the time of its passage was one of national values, family unity, and the American commitment to ending racial discrimination. However, according to the Washington Post, the Trump administration's immigration policies separated more than 5,400 children from their families, sending families to Mexico to await the chance to make asylum claims and seeking the chance to detain children indefinitely. My amendment, the ``Grant Relief for American Children's Elevation Act'' or ``GRACE Act,'' would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish certain family separation as an exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. The American Academy of Pediatrics has noted that ``highly stressful experiences, like family separation, can cause irreparable harm, disrupting a child's brain architecture and affecting his or her short- and long-term health. This type of prolonged exposure to serious stress--known as toxic stress--can carry lifelong consequences for children.'' Just last year, two pediatricians wrote in the Houston Chronicle that ``this kind of stress makes children susceptible to acute and chronic conditions such as extreme anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, hypertension and heart disease.'' As we take into consideration the long term negative psychological effects of family separation as the result of immigration, it becomes abundantly clear that we cannot move forward until this cycle is stopped. As a Member on the Homeland Security committee, and more specifically the Border Security and Enforcement subcommittee, I interact with those at the border and migrants frequently. I believe that a comprehensive approach is needed to find a lasting solution to the current immigration crisis. However, I think it is essential that migrants are brought and allowed into the country through legal immigration. Under the Jackson Lee Amendment 15, the Immigration and Nationality Act would have no longer subjected human beings to extreme trauma by separating a family member who is a United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or an individual lawfully admitted to the United States and a family member who is subject to deportation or removal from the United States. And the Jackson Lee Amendment 16 strikes one word--``not'' from Sect. 2(a) such that it reads as follows: In General.--As a condition on receipt of Federal financial assistance under applicable program by a public elementary school, a public secondary school, or an institution of higher education, the facilities of the school or institution may [not] be used to provide shelter or housing for specified aliens. Thus, my amendment strikes the very language preventing the use of school facilities for the purpose of providing shelter or housing to individuals as defined by section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) who has not been admitted (as so defined). I am a strong proponent of humanitarian aid efforts in the immigration context, from preventing the breakup of individual families because of a wrongful deportation to ensuring that victims of civil wars and national disasters around the globe receive a temporary protected status under the U.S. immigration laws. We should not condemn the use of public elementary or secondary schools to provide shelter for non-U.S. nationals who are not admitted into the United States. Whenever appropriate, space in our schools should be made available for humanitarian aid purposes, such as allowing migrants to stay there while they wait for processing and paperwork to conclude their legal residency status. Other exceptions need to be reviewed, such as whether migrants could stay at schools when school is in session, but humanitarian aid should not be overlooked in the immigration context. As a leading country on the global stage, it is our duty and responsibility to assist who we can in a legal manner. More importantly, when it comes to schools in America, we should be addressing critical issues that are truly impacting our educational system--namely, the hostile state takeovers of majority-minority school districts--as is what is happening in my district with the Texas Education Agency takeover of the Houston Independent School District. State takeovers in other districts have led to school closures, layoffs, and no improvements in test scores. The vast majority of school districts that have been taken over by state agencies (TEA included) have not improved but declined. With data ranging back to the late 1980s, researchers found that most state takeovers don't translate to academic improvements. Republicans provide no evidence that the academic progress of students is negatively impacted simply by attending a school which houses migrants. H.R. 3941 is distractive, it is uninformed, it is pointless, provocative, inflammatory, and at best, an absolute waste of time. Using the facilities of a public elementary or secondary school to provide shelter for non-U.S. nationals who are not admitted into the United States should not be politicized, as this is a humanitarian issue and failure of our broken immigration system. Instead of denying innocent people temporary humanitarian relief we should focus on stopping the State from meddling in and overstepping the boundaries of our educational systems--causing further harm and damage to our communities. Lastly, the Jackson Lee Amendment 19 was offered to add the word ``freeze'' to be included in the definition of ``specified disaster''. This definition is particularly important to signify the dangers of deadly and disastrous weather conditions without snow. In February 2012, my home state of Texas experienced an unprecedented deep freeze that crippled our state as temperatures dropped to as low as six degrees. The freeze triggered the worst energy infrastructure failure in Texas state history, leading to shortages of water, food, and heat. More than 4.5 million homes and businesses were left without power, some for several days and at least 246 people were killed directly or indirectly, with some estimates as high as 702 killed during the crisis. These Jackson Lee Amendments 13, 15, 16, and 19 would have ensured that unaccompanied minors and migrants in need of temporary relief may be provided emergency shelter or housing using institutional facilities where appropriate. It is a shame that we not made in order, and that we here with such an offensive and counterproductive bill, and that we are spending time on ineffective efforts instead of focusing on real immigration reform and resolutions for our nation's broken pathways for citizenship. The text of the material previously referred to by Ms. Scanlon is as follows: An Amendment to H. Res. 597 Offered by Ms. Scanlon of Pennsylvania At the end of the resolution, add the following: Sec. 6. Immediately upon adoption of this resolution, the House shall proceed to the consideration in the House of the resolution (H. Res. 178) affirming the House of Representatives' commitment to protect and strengthen Social Security and Medicare. The resolution shall be considered as read. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the resolution and preamble to adoption without intervening motion or demand for division of the question except one hour of debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Ways and Means or their respective designees. Sec. 7. Clause 1(c) of rule XIX shall not apply to the consideration of H. Res. 178.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong opposition to H.R. 3941, ``Schools Not Shelters Act of 2023''. This bill is an absurd measure to condemn the use of elementary and secondary school facilities that provide shelter for people caught up in emergencies, just like we do for other disasters. Using the facilities of a public elementary or secondary school to provides shelter for non-U.S. nationals who are not admitted into the United States should not be politicized, as this is humanitarian issue and failure of our broken immigration system. As a Member on the Homeland Security committee, and more specifically the Border Security and Enforcement subcommittee, I interact with those at the border and migrants frequently. I believe that a comprehensive approach is needed to find a lasting solution to the current immigration crisis. However, I think it is essential that migrants are brought and allowed into the country through legal immigration. I am a strong proponent of humanitarian aid efforts in the immigration context, from preventing the breakup of individual families because of a wrongful deportation to ensuring that victims of civil wars and national disasters around the globe receive a temporary protected status under the U.S. immigration laws. We should not condemn the use of public elementary or secondary schools provide shelter for non-U.S. nationals who are not admitted into the United States. I acknowledge that school are places of learning and development for students, but there are time periods when school campuses are not being used, such as during school breaks. Because of this, the space could be used for humanitarian aid purposes, such as allowing migrants to stay there while they wait for legal processing and paperwork to conclude. Other exceptions need to be reviewed, such as whether migrants could stay at schools when school is in-session, but humanitarian aid should not be overlooked in the immigration context. As a leading country on the global stage, it is our duty and responsibility to assist who we can in a legal manner. More importantly when it comes to schools in America, we should be addressing critical issues that are truly impacting our educational system--namely, the hostile state takeovers of majority-minority school district--as is what is happening in my district with the Texas Education Agency takeover of the Houston Independent School District. State takeovers in other districts have led to school closures, layoffs, and no improvements in test scores. The vast majority of school districts that have been taken over by state agencies (TEA included) have not improved but declined. With data ranging back to the late 1980s, researchers found that most state takeovers don't translate to academic improvements. We have to stop the State from intermeddling and overstepping into our educational systems--causing further harm and damage to our communities. That is why I have called upon President Biden and the Department of Education to investigate and take immediate action to address the recent systematic and dangerous efforts underway by state and local officials in Texas seeking to undermine and undo decades of civil rights protections and advancements in educational institutions and student populations. And so, I am here today to say that these are the issues that the American people truly care about and want us to be fighting for, for the protection and preservation of their educational rights. Emergency response agencies have always used school facility sheltering to provide emergency services to affected individuals and communities; the use of these facilities as a temporary shelter for migrants puts no students in danger. These school facilities have always been used as emergency shelters during disasters such as weather-related events. No colleges or public K-12 schools should lose federal funding because they provide temporary relief to migrants. If Republicans are really concerned about measure needed to ensure school safety, they should support all measures that address gun violence prevention and mental health issues. If my colleagues genuinely want to address students' safety, they should join with us to focus on the real causes of violent deaths in our country--guns. Gun violence is decimating our families and communities--mass shootings in schools, places of worship, shopping malls, concerts, and urban neighborhoods. A majority of Americans, including parents, teachers, students, and educational workers support common sense and meaningful actions that address the surging violence in our schools and I colleges. All that this bill does is to punish schools that Republicans think are helping migrants. By singling out emergency use for migrants, this bill is only about Republicans' continuous opposition to any effort that provides support for the migrant community. That is why I had offered the following amendments to be considered by the Rules Committee: Jackson Lee Amendment 13 would simply prevent the enactment of H.R. 3941 until we actually address and enact comprehensive immigration reform in the United States such that the Federal immigration system operates efficiently and offers a fair, humane, and orderly pathway to citizenship. Jackson Lee Amendment 15 would also prevent enactment of this bill until, my bill the ``Grant Relief for American Children's Elevation (GRACE) Act of 2023'' is implemented such that the ``exceptional and extremely unusual hardship'' term as defined in Section 240A(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 12229b(b)) is amended, to include hardship resulting from separating a family member who is a United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident or an individual lawfully admitted to the United States and a family member who is subject to deportation or removal from the United States. A study on Facts and Fictions of Race and Family in U.S. Immigration Policy found that the United States governing framework of family sponsorship is rooted in the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, also known as the Hart-Celler Act. The act eliminated the 1924 national origins quotas while maintaining the principle of numerical restriction by specifying annual caps as well as per-country limits on immigration. Under the act, ``immediate family,'' specifically spouses, minor children, and the parents of U.S. citizens, are admitted without numerical quotas. After that, there is a system of hierarchical preferences in which the claims of U.S. citizens are placed above those of legal permanent residents. There is also a ranking of the family relationship that is based on l assessments of familial proximity and of age, especially in the caseof parents and children. The dominant political narrative of the 1965 act at the time of its passage was one of national values, family unity, and the American commitment to ending racial discrimination. However, according to the Washington Post, the Trump administration's immigration policies separated more than 5,400 children from their families, sending families to Mexico to await the chance to make asylum claims and seeking the chance to detain children indefinitely. My amendment, the ``Grant Relief for American Children's Elevation Act'' or ``GRACE Act,'' would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish certain family separation as an exceptional and extremely unusual hardship. The American Academy of Pediatrics has noted that ``highly stressful experiences, like family separation, can cause irreparable harm, disrupting a child's brain architecture and affecting his or her short- and long-term health. This type of prolonged exposure to serious stress--known as toxic stress--can carry lifelong consequences for children.'' Just last year, two pediatricians wrote in the Houston Chronicle that ``this kind of stress makes children susceptible to acute and chronic conditions such as extreme anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, hypertension and heart disease.'' As we take into consideration the long term negative psychological effects of family separation as the result of immigration, it becomes abundantly clear that we cannot move forward until this cycle is stopped. As a Member on the Homeland Security committee, and more specifically the Border Security and Enforcement subcommittee, I interact with those at the border and migrants frequently. I believe that a comprehensive approach is needed to find a lasting solution to the current immigration crisis. However, I think it is essential that migrants are brought and allowed into the country through legal immigration. Under the Jackson Lee Amendment, 15, the Immigration and Nationality Act would have no longer subjected human beings to extreme trauma by separating a family member who is a United States citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or an individual lawfully admitted to the United States and a family member who is subject to deportation or removal from the United States. And the Jackson Lee Amendment 16 strikes one word--``not'' from Sect. 2(a) such that it reads as follows: In General:--As a condition on receipt of Federal financial assistance under applicable program by a public elementary school, a public secondary school, or an institution of higher education, the facilities of the school or institution may be used to provide shelter or housing for specified aliens. Thus, my amendment strikes the very language preventing the use of school facilities for the purpose of providing shelter or housing to individuals as defined by section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) who has not been admitted (as so defined). I am a strong proponent of humanitarian aid efforts in the immigration context, from preventing the breakup of individual families because of a wrongful deportation to ensuring that victims of civil wars and national disasters around the globe receive a temporary protected status under the U.S. immigration laws. We should not condemn the use of public elementary or secondary schools provide shelter for non-U.S. nationals who are not admitted into the United States. Whenever appropriate, space in our schools should be made available for humanitarian aid purposes, such as allowing migrants to stay there while they wait for processing and paperwork to conclude their legal residency status. Other exceptions need to be reviewed, such as whether migrants could stay at schools when school is in session, but humanitarian aid should not be overlooked in the immigration context. As a leading country on the global stage, it is our duty and responsibility to assist who we can in a legal manner. More importantly, when it comes to schools in America, we should be addressing critical issues that are truly impacting our educational system--namely, the hostile state takeovers of majority-minority school districts--as is what is happening in my district with the Texas Education Agency takeover of the Houston Independent School District. State takeovers in other districts have led to school closures, layoffs, and no improvements in test scores. The vast majority of school districts that have been taken over by state agencies (TEA included) have not improved but declined. With data ranging back to the late 1980s, researchers found that most state takeovers don't translate to academic improvements. Republicans provide no evidence that the academic progress of students are negatively impacted simply by attending a school which houses migrants. H.R. 3941 is distractive, it is uninformed, it is pointless, provocative, inflammatory, and at best, an absolute waste of time. Using the facilities of a public elementary or secondary school to provides shelter for non-U.S. nationals who are not admitted into the United States should not be politicized, as this is humanitarian issue and failure of our broken immigration system. Instead of denying innocent people temporary humanitarian relief we should focus on stopping the State from meddling in and overstepping the boundaries our educational systems--causing further harm and damage to our communities. Lastly, the Jackson Lee Amendment 19 was offered to add the word ``freeze'' to be included in the definition of ``specified disaster''. This definition is particularly important to signify the dangers of deadly and disastrous weather conditions without snow. In February 2012, my home state of Texas experienced an unprecedented deep freeze that crippled our state as temperatures dropped to as low as six degrees. The freeze triggered the worst energy infrastructure failure in Texas state history, leading to shortages of water, food, and heat. More than 4.5 million homes and businesses were left without power, some for several days and at least 246 people were killed directly or indirectly, with some estimates as high as 702 killed during the crisis. These Jackson Lee Amendments 13, 15, 16, and 19 would have ensured that unaccompanied minors and migrants in need of temporary relief may be provided emergency shelter or housing using institutional facilities where appropriate. It is a shame that we not made in order, and that we here with such an offensive and counterproductive bill, and that we are spending time on ineffective efforts instead of focusing on real immigration reform and resolutions for our nation's broken pathways for citizenship.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 111, the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act. S. 111 would require each agency, in providing notice of a rulemaking, to include a link to a 100-word plain language summary of the proposed rule, to be made available on the website regulations.gov. Our job here is public service--not for our benefit, but the enrichment of our communities, state, and Nation. The bills we pass here directly affect the lives of everyday Americans. Therefore, the public must be able to access and provide their input regarding rules. For those who may not be experts in the subject matter of the rule, S. 111 provides that a plain-language summary of 100 words or less be made available by agencies at regulations.gov. Having this clear and simplistic summary will give members of the public the opportunity to provide specific and useful comments to those of us who serve them. Plain language makes it easier for the public to read, understand, and use government communications. As a result, Americans understand documents more quickly, call less often for explanations, and make fewer errors filling out forms. All in all, Americans comply more accurately and quickly with requirements when written in plain language. Ultimately, this helps improve government transparency and empower greater participation in the democratic process. Through plain language, Americans are broadly better able to understand their options and the policies their government is pursuing. Simply put, Americans are better able to participate in the debate once they understand their choices. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office expects that preparing this short summary of proposed rules would not significantly increase agencies' administrative costs. Further, this remains true when the costs of implementation are assessed over a five year period, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating no significant costs accruing through implementation of this policy from 2023 through 2028. In fact, such a measure is likely to save federal government dollars in the long run. Because Americans understand more immediately, file documents with greater accuracy, and have less need to seek explanations from bureaucrats, plain language saves government employees time and allows them to work more effectively and efficiently. Multiple studies have shown that plain language improves bottom lines by saving time, personnel resources, and money, all while providing better service to Americans. I urge my colleagues to support this common-sense measure that improves transparency, accessibility of information, and the ability of Americans to thoughtfully participate in the democratic process.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1418, the ``Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2023'', or ADUFA and AGDUFA, which will enable the U.S. to lead the world in innovation and drug development for animal pharmaceuticals. The Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendment or AGDUFA was designed to enhance the performance of the generic new animal drug review process and enable the FDA to more efficiently ensure that generic new animal drug products are safe and effective. AGDUFA was originally signed into law in 2008 and reauthorized in 2013 and 2018. This bill reauthorizes the FDA to collect user fees for certain abbreviated applications for generic new animal drugs, generic new animal drug products and from certain sponsors of abbreviated applications for generic new animal drugs and investigational submissions for generic new animal drugs. Specifically, this bill ensures that the Center for Veterinary Medicine can continue to meet the needs of the animal drug industry as it evolves. This bipartisan bill will lead to increased transparency, additional pathways for animal drug approvals, and reduced review times for pioneer and generic drug applications while maintaining high standards for safety and efficacy. Veterinarians have far fewer FDA-approved animal drugs compared to the number of FDA-approved human drugs. My district in Houston is home to hundreds of veterinarians working hard to improve the health of animals. In fact, Houston ranks fourth among metro areas for dog ownership and was named the ``Dog Capital of the World'' in a 2022 study conducted by Protect Our Paws. Protect Our Paws found that Houston had the highest dog-toperson ratio in the world with 52.1 dogs per 100 humans. More broadly, with Texas being No. 4 in pet ownership and over 58 percent of households owning at least one pet, we have thousands ot pets and animals to protect. I have a vested interest in moving these reauthorizations forward because they are critical to animal and human health and well-being. FDA continues to make progress to mitigate the growth of antimicrobial resistance in food-producing animals, including ending over-the-counter access to medically important antibiotics which are used in both humans and animals, but more needs to be done. I remain fully committed to moving the Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2023 through a swift reauthorization before the programs expire on September 30th. I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 1418, the Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2023.''

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 813, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2023. This bill will direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an interagency review of and report to Congress on ways to increase the global competitiveness of the United States in attracting foreign direct investment. The report will look at the economic impact of foreign direct investments in the United States, focusing on manufacturing, services, trade, and jobs in the United States. This will allow Congress to better understand trends and challenges in global cross-border investments, as well as collaborate with other trusted partner countries. Specifically, this bill will attract foreign direct investment from responsible private-sector entities, which is directly linked to the long-term economic prosperity, global competitiveness, and security of the United States. It will promote polices to ensure that United States remains the global leader in developing and deploying cutting-edge technologies, such as self-driving vehicle technology and artificial intelligence. As digital information becomes increasingly important to the United States economy and the development of new technologies and services that will be crucial to the country's competitiveness in the 21st century global economy, barriers including data localization and infringement of intellectual property rights must be further addressed. This study will focus on the economic impact of foreign direct investment, challenges associated with foreign direct investment by state-owned enterprises, and the influence of protectionist policies enacted by other countries on the advanced technology economy. Further, this bill will allow us to reduce our supply-chain dependence on China. For the success of our larger economy, national security, and global relationships, it is vital that we pass H.R. 813.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank both the gentleman from Illinois and the gentlewoman from Florida for their consistent and determined presence to bring to the American people truth and, of course, inspiration. I thank them both for their great leadership. I also thank Mr. Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, for his leadership. I think we are noted around the Nation and around the world for this outstanding presentation of great information every single week that enlightens people's minds and hearts. Let me take just a moment to honor the Reverend Dr. Jesse Jackson, who this past weekend made a stupendous effort, as he always does, with Rainbow PUSH Coalition for its outstanding national convention, the many people who have come over the years. This will not be a moment that I will take to completely pay tribute to Reverend Jackson, but I could not come to the floor without expressing my deep and abiding admiration for him. I have always said that Reverend Jackson, when no one else would be there to comfort those who are deprived, depressed, and simply outraged because of discrimination in this Nation, it would be the Reverend Dr. Jesse Louis Jackson who would be present and would be in the most difficult of situations. It is amazing that for decades he has consistently been doing this, over 50 years, being the first African American to run for President. Frankly, I will say that I am in public service because of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson. My first run was in 1984. I would not have won way down in Houston, Texas, had it not been for the unbelievable, positive uprising of voters who were moved and energized, rushing to the polls, excited. For those of us who happened to be on the ballot for the first time, a young African-American woman seeking to be a judge in the county of Harris, I could not have made those steps without the unbelievable leadership and courage of not only Reverend Jackson but his wife and his family because they were doing it together. Let me again express my appreciation. I know it was a stupendous conference, and I know that he has selected and given the anchor to a great leader. It is a great leader who can make choices of greatness, and he has done so. I will very quickly touch on gun violence prevention and public safety. Excuse my raspy voice, and I will not take long, but I will just say that--do we need to say it?--every day, 120 Americans are killed with guns, and more than 32,000 people die from gun violence annually, including 2,677 children under 18 years of age. In our respective communities, we see toddlers being shot, 10-year- olds being shot, senior citizens being shot. Let me, in particular, give credit to the Houston Police Department, as they have worked very hard to bring down homicides, investigate homicides, and the numbers have gone down. However, it is very clear that they are desperately in need of Federal action. They desperately need the universal background check, which we have not been able to do. They desperately need, in many instances, the ban on assault weapons. They desperately need requirements for gun storage. My bill, H.R. 52, the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act, named in honor of Kimberly Vaughan, a student at Santa Fe High School, who was just 17 years of age when a student entered her art class with a stolen gun and killed 10 people--stolen from the home. These guns were laid out and were owned by a family member. Firearm injury is the leading cause of death, as I said, of children. Is it difficult to require the manufacturer to say to store guns and provide storage devices? Is it difficult for the retailer to provide storage devices? Is it difficult to be able to say as a nation that we believe in the Second Amendment, but life is so much more important? When children as young as 9 and 10 are the victims of drive-by shootings intended for someone else, but it doesn't matter--I am reminded of children from Chicago to Houston who have been shot innocently, shot in their beds, or a woman who was shot in her house as the bullet whizzed close to her. I am rising today to say that not only must we stop the gun violence, but we must also draw together, as the Congressional Black Caucus has done, to support funding for gun violence intervention. That is an important piece. We must expand responsibility to ensure that we give tools to the community to stop violence. Workforce programs, as well, are very important. We must do it with our cities and do it with our law enforcement. Now is the time to stop gun violence in America and save lives. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I must shed light on the growing public safety concern regarding gun violence. Every day, 120 Americans are killed with guns. More than 32,000 people die from gun violence annually, including 2,677 children under 18 years of age. And each year, hundreds of law enforcement officers lose their lives to gun violence, having been shot to death while protecting their communities. Gun violence affects us all, but our government's continued lack of proactivity towards preventing gun violence has led to countless unnecessary, preventable deaths. We cannot continue to allow countless lives to be lost to guns, when we can instead work together to save them. It is for this reason that I, once again, stand to advocate for my bill, H.R. 52, the Kimberly Vaughn Firearm Safe Storage Act, named in honor of Kimberly Vaughn, a student of Sante Fe High School, who was just 17 years of age when a student entered her art class with a stolen gun and killed 10 people. Firearm injury is the leading cause of death for children and young adults in the United States. American children are twice as likely to be shot and killed as they are to die drowning. And still, there are more safety regulations for pools than gun storage. An estimated 4.6 million minors live in homes with at least one unlocked, loaded firearm. One in three U.S. households with children have firearms, and firearms accounted for nearly 19 percent of childhood deaths in 2021, which is a 50 percent increase since 2019. My Bill, H.R. 52, establishes best practices for safe firearm storage to protect Americans, especially children, from improperly stored or misused firearms, to ensure that tragic deaths, such as the one of Kimberly Vaughn, do not happen again. H.R. 52 will require labeling for weapons that says ``Safe Storage Saves Lives'' to spread awareness of the importance of storage to those that purchase firearms. My bill will also provide grants and tax incentives to incentivize safe-storage devices to those that purchase weapons. Gun storage will save countless lives by ensuring that weapons do not end up in the hands of the young. We must work together to secure firearms and protect children, by passing legislation such as H.R. 52 to help prevent unintentional shootings and ensure that tragic stories such as Kimberly Vaughan never happen again. Furthermore, despite affecting all communities, gun violence affects all communities differently, with a disproportionate effect on Black communities. Black Americans are 10 times more likely than white Americans to die by gun homicide. Black Americans are three times more likely than white Americans to be fatally shot by police. And while Black Americans made up 12.5 percent of the United States population in 2020, they were the victims in 61 percent of all gun homicides. According to the American Progress, ``this is due to a combination of weak gun laws; systemic racial inequities, including unequal access to safe housing and adequate educational and employment opportunities; and a history of disinvestment in public infrastructure and services in the communities of color most affected by gun violence.'' Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by gun violence and experience gun homicide at 10 times the rate of white Americans. Nonfatal shootings, most of our nation's gun violence, impacts Black Americans at an even higher rate. They experience gun assault injuries at 18 times the rate of White Americans. Despite not directly causing these horrific events, our government shares in the blame. Our role as executives in municipal government is to ensure we utilize every tool available to us and those provided by the state and federal government to keep our cities safe. We need to reimagine public safety by holding law enforcement officers who violate the public trust accountable, using public health resources to address mental health crises, and ensuring all communities are not overpoliced, well-resourced with access to job opportunities, affordable childcare, and capable social services to improve the quality of life. We need to increase the use of civilian responders deployed to incidents involving mental health concerns and disturbances or disputes. We need to strengthen governmental agencies dedicated to violence intervention and neighborhood safety. We need to pass legislation, such as H.R. 48, the Gun Violence Reduction Resources Act of 2023, which will work to hire additional Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive agents and investigators to enforce gun laws. We need to pass legislation such as H.R. 46, the Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act, which will authorize funding to increase access to mental health care treatment to reduce gun violence. Being that: Suicide is the leading cause of gun related deaths in America; more than 60 percent of deaths by guns in the country are the result of individuals using these weapons to commit suicide; approximately 1 in 4 American adults have a mental illness and nearly half of all adults in America will develop at least one mental illness during their lifetime; and less than half of children and adults with diagnosable mental health problems receive the treatment they need. Gun violence is a nonpartisan issue with bipartisan solutions. We act as though as hands are tied behind our back, despite the countless options at our disposal. I join my CBC colleagues in advancing their bills that work to prevent gun violence. Protecting our communities and protecting our family's need to be a priority.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Having had some tenure on this floor, my recollection is that, in many instances, the NDAA has been a welcomed bipartisan initiative. We have worked together and formulated ways to improve the lives of the men and women of the United States military. Let me just make it very clear that that is what the NDAA is supposed to be, strengthening our ability to be a fighting force. Who do you have as a fighting force? The men and women of the United States military. I take great offense at the suggestion that there are not young people in America who are willing to lay down their lives as our fathers, mothers, and grandparents did. They do want to join the United States military. It is the ability of the military to govern itself within the civilian framework that we should be promoting in the NDAA. It is a terrible shame that Members of color on this floor will be forced to vote on something that takes us back to the dark ages, to not talking about how richly diverse we are. All of these race amendments that have been allowed to come to the floor are literally a disgrace. Did we talk about the diminishing returns when the Tuskegee Airmen took to the skies in the 1940s in World War II and were one of the most successful bombing units ever? Black--my father-in-law, Philip Ferguson Lee. Did we find a diminishing in the military when Truman integrated legally to allow African Americans to join the United States military or to rise and not be discriminated against and others followed? It was a magnificent move and a fearless move. Many thought Truman would lose his election. How dare we come to the floor on this? This is about our men and women. Why would my amendment be left out that talks about Black maternal mortality? There are Black women soldiers and officers who would benefit from that. Or $10 million that I introduced dealing with triple-negative breast cancer that has been accepted and is in year after year because it is to save lives. Mr. Speaker, $2.5 million in post-traumatic stress disorder, it is to save our soldiers' lives and to be able to admit that there is PTSD continuing. We need to be able to help or to address injuries that come after someone comes out of the military and to connect them to military benefits, which we see many times. Yes, I have an amendment in this that deals with providing emergency housing for those of us who live in the Gulf region or live in the West where these natural disasters are coming or on the East Coast in Connecticut, so that when people are totally displaced, we are very grateful for the fact that the bases would be open to providing disaster care.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this amendment that is in adds a report to be submitted within 220 days following enactment on capacity to provide disaster survivors with emergency short-term housing. This bill should be a bill that builds the mighty fighting force. It should not deny women the right under their medical care, and Secretary Austin and the Pentagon to say quietly, you can have a medical decision. If it cannot be made in the State that you are forced to be assigned to, posted, you can go to another State. It is a disgrace that they would interfere in private reproductive rights. This is undermining what we are here for; to build up a fighting force of men and women, and that is what this bill should be. We will stand to the death to make sure this bill supports the men and women and the fighting forces of America.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise to share with my colleagues both pain and a sense of remorse, sense of fear that many Americans will face, and attempt to have a dialogue and an understanding as will be reflected in the Congressional Record. I am a student of the Constitution. I have served as a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, former chair or ranking member of most of the subcommittees, covering everything from immigration to administrative law to criminal law. I love this Nation. I would argue with anyone on any assessment other than that I am a patriot, one who views the Bill of Rights as an anchor of our uniqueness, who appreciates every day the men and women who put on the United States uniform, and who has had the privilege--obviously to my dismay--to visit every war zone during my tenure, to acknowledge those in combat, to honor and respect them and, yes, to attend funerals of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and to acknowledge those of years past in our veterans cemetery in Houston, Texas. As I begin this discussion, I want it to be known that these are wonderful documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. If we look at the beginning of the Constitution, it is really poetry, but it is truth. As we are reminded of the Pledge of Allegiance, these words are equally potent: ``We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union . . . '' They remind us of the backdrop of these pioneers fleeing persecution themselves. Many listening today may be the progeny, the descendants of these people. `` . . . establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.'' Our Founding Fathers, who recognized that slavery was an abomination, and that all Americans deserve equal protection of the laws, in essence determined that the Bill of Rights was appropriate. All of us know the First Amendment, but I don't know how many know the functioning of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection of the laws and allows all of us to live in liberty and prosperity. I come here today to argue vigorously against the wrong-headed decision that was made by the United States Supreme Court on two issues and more to come. Citizens, law, and precedent, and the Constitution were completely ignored in the wrongheaded affirmative action decision. Let me be very clear. This is not about words; it is not about enforcing wrongness against my fellow Americans. It is an affirmation of affirming everyone. Whether your history is embedded in Pilgrims' pride, that your ancestors came here that way, or you are part of the Irish who came because of the famine and the lack of food in Ireland, or you came early in the 1900s as Italians or many, many other ethnicities, or maybe you are now Ukrainians who are fleeing the persecution of a horrible war and the lack of democracy, you are an American who desires freedom, democracy, and opportunity, as the laws of this land will allow you to enter. We are a potpourri. We are a place where people said this will not work, these people come from all places, but our ancestors realized in the Bill of Rights that slavery was wrong and abolished it in the 13th Amendment. However, every day we continue to fight slavery that still exists around the Nation. Then we put in place the 14th Amendment of equal protection of the law, and you could look at that and say, well, isn't it equal protection to let someone trump over someone else if they indicate that they have reasons to do so? No, it is not. Affirmative action has come about through the death of many people, and it wasn't the death of the Civil War, which was the dastardly war where brother was against brother which caused the greatest loss of life and one that we remember in pain, but we also remember the heroes. I say to you that the affirmative action decision did not affirm anyone. It took away that affirmation from the LGBTQ community. It will take it away from race, away from religion and ethnicity. Realize that equal protection of the law is a vital point. It is lost by the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, in this week to stop gun violence, it is important to remind all of you that 4.6 million minors live with guns in the home, many of those unstored. Every year, almost 20,000 children are shot and killed or wounded by firearms. In fact, homicide is now the number one killer of children. Kimberly Vaughan, a young innocent of 14 years old with a wonderful mother who served in the military, was killed in 2018 when a 17-year- old student went on a shooting spree. Those guns were left in the home. Mr. Speaker, I introduced the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act, and I ask my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, to join me. The act provides for the Attorney General to give voluntary practices related to safe firearm storage and to label and publish them on a website advising persons to safely store their firearms. It would urge retailers to provide storage locks to secure devices when possible. It would provide a $10 million grant program to States, local governments, and nonprofits to distribute safe storage devices, at no burden to you whatsoever. Of course, they will receive a tax credit for doing so. Mr. Speaker, I ask my Republican and Democratic colleagues to join us. Save lives. Save our children's lives. Stop gun violence with the Kimberly Vaughan Firearm Safe Storage Act.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time. I am on the floor again holding up the Constitution, which should not be eliminated for the fighting force of Americans who have been declared by nations around the world as the strongest, most powerful fighting force in the world. Whatever my friend says on the other side of the aisle, I have no basis for his statistics. No one has undermined the force of the men and women. Let me pay tribute to them. Equal protection of the law says basically a healthcare issue is a healthcare issue. Trans people have healthcare issues. Trans children have healthcare issues. It is an outrage that we should deny Americans who want to die on a battlefield the right to get TRICARE. Black maternal mortality is more prone to African-American women. Should they be in the military and denied healthcare because they have a Black maternal mortality and are more apt to have babies that die? No. They want to die on the field, too. They want to be able to wear the uniform. I have never been able to understand how you can deny people healthcare. It is healthcare. Let me say it again: It is healthcare. For trans children, it is more your denial, your denunciation, your contempt, your hatred that drives them to do anything toward themselves. It could be a heterosexual, and you condemn them, and they may be prone to suicide. This is not apt to those who happen to be trans. Please, I beg of this floor, do not pass these amendments because the Constitution will be trampled on. Healthcare, Madam Chair, is healthcare.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, families care about their children, and it stuns me that the gentleman on the other side has indicated that he wants to take health decisions out of the hands of parents who are serving in the United States military, committed to laying their life down for America, and eliminate it to the point that the parents who love the military must leave the military and diminish our fighting force. Let me be clear. As relates to trans children and medical care, every major medical and mental health association in the United States, representing more than 1.3 million U.S. doctors, support age- appropriate gender-affirming care for transgender people. In addition, in the special needs of the soldiers and others in the United States military, there is no indication that money would be taken away from special needs children as relates to the particular needs of trans children. What it does say is that parents who love their children would be discriminated against depending on what their health need is. Therefore, I rise today in opposition to this ill-thought-out and ill-fated, I hope, amendment that clearly divides us as Americans, as members of the United States military, in that it goes against science and medicine because this affirming medical care has been accepted. I am struck, as I end, by someone suggesting that someone who has their hand on a nuclear weapon or they are in some strategic assignment is diminished because they have a life that is different from someone else, that they are no more of a soldier than someone else. They are a soldier. They are part of the military, and families should be allowed to make decisions for their children. Madam Chair, these health decisions are life-changing and needed, and medical doctors and science affirm it. I oppose this amendment.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 2622, a bill to amend the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to codify certain Securities and Exchange Commission no-action letters that exclude brokers and dealers compensated for certain research services from the definition of investment adviser. This bill provides statutory authority for specified Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidance allowing broker-dealers to receive payments for research services provided to investment managers. Under current law, broker-dealers that receive payments for performing this service must register as investment advisors. However, the SEC currently waives enforcement against these broker- dealers. The current no-action relief, which was temporarily granted in 2017 by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), has received multiple complaints from investors and advocacy groups who have expressed reservations about the current no-action relief. This bill helps to address these concerns, correct the defects of the current no-action relief, and resolve issues regarding the potential expiration of the current relief. H.R. 2622 helps to strengthen American capital markets by providing U.S. brokers and dealers relief from undue external security market regulations and prevent a reduction in investment research that can potentially harm investment managers and the retail investor customers that they serve. This bill also helps to further strengthen the standard conduct of investment advisory by ensuring that the best interests of customers are protected without regard to the financial and other private interests of brokers and dealers. H.R. 2622 ensure that the SEC provides secure framework of rules and regulations that help to enhance investors' confidence in the system and safeguards their investment by ensuring transparency of the records. This bill provides more concrete measures for the over 15,000 Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) to effectively carry out their primary duties of providing tailored financial advice to their clients, management of investment portfolios, and other services to the public.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1548, Improving Access to Small Business Information Act. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regulates transactions of securities in the secondary market. The act typically governs transactions which take place between parties which are not the original issuer, such as trades that retail investors execute through brokerage companies. The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 is a federal law designed to reduce the total amount of paperwork burden the federal government imposes on private business and citizens. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, agencies must comply with specific procedures when gathering information from the public. H.R. 1548 will amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to specify that actions of the Advocate Small Business Capital Formation are not a collection of information undue the Paperwork Reduction Act. In other words, this bill excludes from the Paperwork Reduction Act actions taken by the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation within the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation does hard work to provide an annual report to the United States House and Senate to ensure that we understand the state of small business capital formation. The Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation will continue to advocate for solutions to improve the capital raising opportunities for the dreamers, builders, doers, creators, and investors who you don't see in the headlines today. For this reason, it is vital that we pass H.R. 1548.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, and I will continue to work with them and proceed to analyze the very wrongheaded decision that was made by the United States Supreme Court on the question of affirmative action. I thank the gentlewoman from Florida, the gentleman from New York, and, certainly, the gentleman from Nevada for their leadership. I rise today as a clear recipient of affirmative action, particularly in higher education. I may have been admitted on affirmative action, both in terms of being a woman and a woman of color, but I can declare that I did not graduate on affirmative action. This is my personal story, but as I read the Supreme Court opinion led by Justice Roberts and a number of Justices reading their opinion aloud, they really skewed and misdirected what affirmative action is. Affirmative action is affirmatively selecting out of the group excellent persons who happen to be people of color who would not have been noted, recognized, or accepted heretofore, and that is evident because that did not happen in the 20th century, in the 19th century, when African Americans, in particular, were not admitted to institutions of higher learning such as Ivy League and other schools. This very mean-spirited decision will close the door of opportunity to many, from Latinos to Asians to African Americans to Anglos. My plea tonight is that this Congress looks squarely at ensuring that America and her cities are open to equal opportunity and that, affirmatively, we ensure that everyone has a seat at the table of empowerment.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 3799, which makes two substantial changes to health coverage policy, both of which are very harmful to workers. H.R. 3799 aims to codify a Trump Administration rule on Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Accounts (ICHRAs) and rename them ``CHOICE'' accounts. While this bill certainly allows employers to make choices, it also allows employers to discriminate against certain employees. First, H.R. 3799 could circumvent Affordable Care Act (ACA) protections on pre-existing conditions, lifetime and annual limits, and preventive care. This legislation describes individual market coverage but does not explicitly reference the code in defining an individual health insurance plan that requires the ACA market protections like pre- existing conditions protections. The policy is intended to allow plans that are unable to selffund with adequate reserves to instead purchase a high level of stop-loss insurance. Lack of adequate reserves leave many of these plans, and their enrollees, at risk since stop-loss insurers often retain the right to drop the insurance if medical costs for the group begin to climb. This is not a stable form of coverage. Secondly, this bill leaves room for employers to offer less coverage through ICHRAs to lower income workers, hourly workers, or seasonal workers, reserving better coverage for executives. The mere offer of an ICHRA may leave employees worse off. For example, an employee who has an offer of an ``affordable'' HRA is prevented from accessing premium tax credits in the marketplace. A Brookings analysis found that allowing employers to offer IHRAs alongside a traditional group health insurance plan could increase marketplace premiums by 16 percent to 93 percent. This offer hurts lower-wage workers where they would otherwise be able to find more affordable coverage in the marketplace and could lead to higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs than under ACA coverage for the employee. We have seen this from Republicans before, using policies to make the marketplace risk pool weaker, instead of more robust. Overall, this bill makes it easy for employers to target workers with higher health costs, sending them to the individual market with a voucher. Republicans once again, are putting wealth before health. We must work together to mitigate these concerns and include important safeguards that protect employees from discrimination. Every American is entitled to affordable healthcare, and we must ensure that every American can make the best health care choices for their families.

Ms. JACKSON LEE

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, impeachment is serious, yet here we are engaged in a baseless political stunt to impeach our current President. It is not a punishment, sought to be inflicted when one branch of government merely dislikes what a coordinate branch has done. It is a serious remedy designed to prevent abuses of power and is designed to ensure that ours remains a government of, by, and for the people. The Constitution governs the order of our nation, and it dictates the work of the Congress. Article I details the powers of the House and the exercising of these powers as they relate to the coordinate, coequal branches of government, codified in Articles II and Articles III: three equal branches of government coexisting and cohesively working to provide oversight to the respective actions of the Congress, the Executive and Judiciary. This has worked, with challenges of course, since 1789, yet the outright abuse of our Constitution to use impeachment as a political tool is an abomination of our congressional duties. This impeachment resolution is centered on accusations that the Biden Administration lacks appropriate security at the Southern U.S. border. The resolution of impeachment specifically states that President Biden's conduct and dereliction of duty in these matters ``warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.'' This accusation, that the President of the United States has abused his powers and that his conduct is in dereliction of his duties as President is flatly outrageous. When the Framers of our Constitution designed our government, they bifurcated power between the federal and state governrnents, and divided arnong the branches. They vested in the Congress the capacity to make the laws, and in the Executive the power to faithfully execute those laws. Because the House enjoyed a natural superiority, as most representative of the passions of the populace, the Framers vested in the House of Representatives the sole power of impeachment and made the Senate the judges. Entirely unlike the incredulous and now confirmed illegality of President Trump's behavior while in office, the President Biden has certainly not earned the same stain of impeachment from the House of Representatives and whereby his conduct absolutely does not merit conviction and removal from office by the Senate. When the Founders inserted the Impeachment Clause in Article I, Section 2, Clause 5, they did so to preserve our democracy, protect the American people, and to prevent the abuses and excesses of the Chief Executive. The Constitution has served our nation well for over two hundred years. In order to keep faith with the Framers and with our future, we must preserve, protect and defend that Constitution and all its provisions. This is why this impeachment attempt is not one that is within the national interest but a disgrace to our governrnent and its entrusted duties. I ask colleagues to vote no on this shameful resolution.