Eddie Johnson

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Eric Hale for becoming the first African American man bestowed with the honor of Texas Teacher of the Year in the 51 years of this award's existence. Last month, the Texas Association of School Administrators announced that Mr. Hale had been named the 2021 Texas Teacher of the Year for his outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching kindergarten and first-grade students at David G. Burnet Elementary School. Mr. Hale understands the challenges some of his students' face daily, from hunger, poverty, or domestic violence. He has experienced some of this in his own life growing up. He has successfully countered this negative energy thanks to his unique teaching style that is like no other. He uses music in an innovative way to engage with his students while flooding them with positivity and encouragement so that the students are able to step away from their worries for a moment and learn in a fun environment. This positivity and energy in the classroom is exactly what is needed for our students as they, just like the rest of us, navigate through this challenging time. Mr. Hale has been recognized for his work previously as the winner of the 2019 Urban Teacher of the Year award among others. He has also had the opportunity to appear on multiple televisions shows including the Kelly Clarkson show and TODAY. Madam Speaker, I am so thankful that the Dallas Independent School District is home to one of the very best teachers in the country. I wish Mr. Hale the best of luck as he competes with other teachers around the country to receive the prestigious National Teacher of the Year award.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Melanie Kennedy on her recent election to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). Ms. Kennedy is the President and CEO of Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union in Dallas, Texas, where she has served for nearly 14 years. Known for her collaboration and networking skills, she has the unique ability to help others achieve greatness. Ms. Kennedy recognizes the role credit unions play in a functioning economy and is thoroughly dedicated to the success of the industry. Her wealth of financial services knowledge opened up leadership opportunities, including her most recent position as the Treasurer and Executive Committee member of the Cornerstone Resources Board of Directors. Ms. Kennedy attended the University of Texas at Arlington and is also an active member of her community--volunteering at the Promise House, an organization helping homeless youth in Dallas. Madam Speaker, on behalf of Texas's 30th Congressional District, I'd like to wish Ms. Kennedy the best of luck in her new role on the NAFCU Board of Directors. I am confident that her skill set will complement the board and its associated credit unions for years to come, and I look forward to working with her.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the updated Heroes Act we are considering on the floor today. We must recognize that the Nation is in great need of continued emergency assistance--and this legislation, though not a total solution, is a step in the right direction. It prioritizes the needs of the Americans so that they are better prepared to endure the pandemic, as we continue to work together towards a long-term solution. This updated bill includes several provisions from the original Heroes Act, which passed in the House of Representatives back in May. It also includes much-needed funding for hospitals, community health centers, testing, vaccine research, and related items that would ensure that our country can make a healthy recovery from the pandemic. To address the economic impact of COVID-19, this bill assists millions of Americans by reinstating the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, providing a special enrollment period for the health care marketplace, and creating additional tax credits for plans offered that are affordable for everyone. I am pleased that this bill also addresses the priorities for my district, including emergency funding to resources for affordable housing and homelessness prevention. As co-chair of the Congressional Homelessness Caucus, I have been adamant that any stimulus package must include emergency rental assistance, which is included at $50 billion to help low-income renters avoid eviction due to our Nation's recent economic turmoil. This updated bill also includes $5 billion for Emergency Solutions Grants, which is critical to address the impact of coronavirus on individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. For the millions of small businesses across the country affected by the pandemic, this bill enhances the Paycheck Protection Program and allows for businesses to apply and receive a second PPP loan. It also helps restaurants struggling to survive the pandemic by creating a $120 billion grant program specifically for their industry. Finally, it eases the process for businesses to get their PPP loans forgiven by simplifying loan forgiveness for loans less than $150,000. Additionally, this legislation provides assistance to state and local governments across the country, many of which have felt first-hand the adverse impacts COVID-19. This assistance would ensure that first responders and health professionals, who have been on the front lines keeping us safe during the pandemic, would no longer be faced with the possibility of losing their jobs. It would also help these governments continue to provide enhanced services during this time of crisis. Unlike the CARES Act, this updated version of the Heroes Act would provide funding that would also go to smaller local governments with populations smaller than 50,000. I have heard from local government officials in my district, in cities like Cedar Hill and Lancaster, on how this additional funding would greatly impact the level of service they would be able to provide to their residents. Over the past few months, I have heard from many constituents in my district employed by businesses in the transportation industry about the adverse effects of COVID-19 on their work. Workers in the aviation industry, who were at risk of being furloughed if Congress failed to act on updated relief legislation, will be provided with job security and additional benefits through the Payroll Support Program. The bill also includes $32 billion in funding for transit-related relief, which will help transit agencies retain employees and continue maintaining regular service. One of the more important discussions we have had during the pandemic is how to safely reopen schools so that parents, students, teachers, administrators, and other school staff can remain safe and healthy. That is why I was glad to see that this bill provides $225 billion for education--including $182 billion for primary and secondary schools alone--and almost $39 billion for institutions for higher learning. This critical funding will help schools purchase the personal protective equipment necessary to protect the wellbeing of school officials and their students. In the event of a second COVID-19 wave, schools may be forced to transition to hybrid or remote learning. Therefore, this bill takes a proactive approach to this possibility by providing $12 billion in funding for students to stay connected with mobile hotspots and devices like laptops and tablets. This funding stream would go a long way in helping close the homework gap and allowing internet access to rural and underserved communities across the country. I am heartened that the Heroes Act also includes provisions to start to address the devastating impacts that the pandemic has had on university research as well as on our federal research agencies. Federally funded research, particularly research carried out at our universities, has long been a critical enabler of U.S. leadership in science and innovation, which in turn will play an important role in assuring our future competitiveness and economic well being. In addition, university research also plays a key role in preparing the next generation of STEM professionals. The ongoing pandemic has put that research enterprise in serious jeopardy. Without assistance from the federal government, I am deeply concerned that many institutions may not survive, that years of important research will be lost, and that we will suffer irreparable harm to our talent pipeline. I am especially concerned that the fallout from this pandemic will undercut the gains we have made in diversifying our STEM pipeline, including the geographic diversity that will help communities across the Nation revitalize their economies in the coming years. To help deal with the disruptions to university research caused by the pandemic, this legislation provides almost $2.9 billion to the National Science Foundation (NSF), funding that will allow extensions of existing research grants, cooperative agreements, scholarships, fellowships, and apprenticeships. The Heroes Act also contains funding for NOAA, DOE, and NIST to help address the impact of the pandemic on those agencies operations and capabilities. Taken together, these funding provisions are an important first step, but more needs to be done to mitigate the harmful impact of the pandemic on America's research enterprise and on the students and early-career researchers whose activities have been disrupted. I will continue to advocate for such measures in future legislation. Finally, this bill provides a second round of direct cash assistance to qualifying Americans in the form of Economic Impact Payments. This new round of cash assistance would extend to mixed families and to students attending college up to the age of 24. Mr. Speaker, overall, this bill takes great strides to help Americans suffering because of the pandemic, including those with COVID-19, those left unemployed, those on the front lines, and many others. I urge my colleagues to support it.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5760, the Grid Security Research and Development Act. I want to thank Mr. Bera for his leadership in introducing this bipartisan bill and for his commitment to developing legislation that will help strengthen America's electricity grid. I also want to thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who have recognized the importance of these investments and have joined me in supporting this important legislation. The Grid Security Research and Development Act is updated version of a bill that Mr. Bera and I introduced, along with many of my Science Committee colleagues, in the previous two Congresses. This bill provides legislative guidance to the activities carried out by the recently established Department of Energy Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response by authorizing a cross-agency research and development program to advance electric grid cybersecurity and physical security. In particular, the bill authorizes activities on grid resilience and emergency response efforts, cybersecurity test beds, and education and workforce training for the energy sector. The passage of this bill is particularly important now, as states all over the U.S. are experiencing unprecedented extreme weather events, ranging from historic hurricanes in Texas to the ongoing wildfires in California and Oregon. In California specifically, utilities are shutting off power to millions of customers when there are high winds in certain areas to prevent the onset of wildfires sparked by trees and other vegetation near critical grid infrastructure. This bill contains provisions to help address these important issues by directing the Department of Energy to conduct research on technologies to assist with the safe planning and execution of emergency power shutoffs, offer technical assistance on related topics, and establish a training program to improve grid resilience, among other provisions. That's why I am proud to rise today in support of H.R. 5760. It would make important investments to improve the security and ensure the safety and resilience of our electric grid infrastructure. I also urge my colleagues to make a wise investment for our nation by joining me in supporting this bipartisan bill.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, the threat of climate change is one of the most urgent threats we face. Today, as we speak, vast portions of the West Coast of our Nation are consumed with wildfires. To the south, our country has already been repeatedly pounded by tropical storms and hurricanes this year. Severe weather and dangerous heat waves are becoming increasingly commonplace. Coral reefs around the world are dying off, threatening whole ecosystems, and the ocean is becoming more acidic, which puts in peril an entire food chain vital to feeding humanity. The threat of climate change is here, and it is long past time for Congress to take action to combat it. Responding to climate change is also an opportunity to reinvent our economy and propel it into the 21st century. We have the opportunity to make America the leader in a host of clean energy technologies that will boost our economy and bring good, high-paying jobs. H.R. 4447, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, will do just that by investing unprecedented amounts in clean energy research and development. This bill also makes long overdue investments in grid modernization and large-scale energy storage, which are key to allowing us to unlock the full potential of intermittent renewables and other clean energy investments. Finally, this bill makes a critical investment in carbon capture and storage technology. We have to recognize that today, as we speak, most of the energy used for electricity, transportation, and industrial processes in our Nation and across the world are still produced from fossil fuels. To realistically hope to combat the worst effects of climate change, we have to invest in technologies that can clean up the bulk of our current pollution sources, both here and abroad. All of the 16 bills that the Committee on Science, Space and Technology contributed to this package are bipartisan pieces of legislation. This reflects the broad support of these bills in both the environmental and business community--having received support from groups as diverse as the NRDC, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the League of Conservation Voters, and the National Association of Manufacturers. Madam Speaker, I want to take a moment to thank our current Subcommittee on Energy chair, Lizzie Fletcher, and our former chair, Conor Lamb, for their hard work in getting us to this point today. I also thank my fellow committee chairs, Frank Pallone and Raul Grijalva, for their tireless work on H.R. 4447 and their commitment to fighting for climate change. H.R. 4447 will not, on its own, prevent climate change, but it is a vital first step in addressing this threat. If we don't take the first step, we will never get anywhere in our efforts to address this growing crisis. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Fletcher).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici), a very dynamic member of the committee.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Swalwell).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Foster), a distinguished scientist and member of the committee.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Lamb), a hardworking member of the committee.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Mrs. Luria).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Let me just simply say, our planet screams out for our help. This is not intended to be a Democratic exercise. It is a stand for a real need to give attention to the climate change we are experiencing that can only get worse without us doing something. So I extend my hand to the Republican members of this committee to join us and understand that it is not just a political ploy that we are trying to do here, it is time for us to address climate change. We are suffering too much and losing to many unnecessary spent dollars dealing with the situation that we are in now. The people are depending on us to take the lead and address the problem. So I plead with you, join with us. This is not partisan; it is to save our planet. I ask you to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, which I have led in the House with my colleagues Congressmen Chris Stewart, Seth Moulton, and Greg Gianforte. I am so pleased that we are considering this critical legislation on the floor today, in honor of September as Suicide Prevention Month. As a former chief psychiatric nurse, I have spent my legislative career advocating for more accessible mental health resources in our communities, especially considering the significant needs in these difficult times. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in late June, 40 percent of American adults struggled with mental health or substance abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, it reported that communities of color, essential workers, younger adults, and unpaid caregivers had disproportionately worse mental health outcomes and elevated suicidal ideation. This is exactly why I am determined to pass this bill, as it directs the Federal Communications Commission to designate 9-8-8 for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system. It also provides the necessary state funding guidance, federal reporting, and specialized service training to effectively implement the new dialing code. This three-digit phone number--instead of a full ten- digit number--is much easier to remember, especially when you or a loved one are in a crisis and in need of help. As such, this redesigned and upgraded suicide prevention lifeline will save lives. As the country's mental health and suicide crises have worsen during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has an urgent responsibility to fulfill the promise of 9-8-8 and develop a modern mental health and suicide prevention crisis hotline system. I am especially proud of the efforts in this legislation to support communities at higher risk of suicide, including veterans and LGBTQ youth. This new system will include the Veterans Crisis Line to specifically support veterans seeking mental health support. The bill also authorizes states to collect a fee designated solely to supporting local crisis call centers affiliated within the national network, which includes the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas in my district. This provision will ensure that the local call centers experiencing increased call volume due to the more accessible dialing code will have the financial resources needed to expand their operations and serve all who are seeking help. We must not allow the tragedies of this coronavirus to be compounded by preventable losses of life due to mental health distress. As a former mental health professional, I am proud to support the passage of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act, and I thank my colleagues for their collaboration on such a critical and timely effort. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Observed from September 15th to October 15th, Hispanic Heritage Month honors those of Hispanic heritage, praises the extraordinary contributions that they have made to our society, and reaffirms our commitment to protecting their culture. Hispanic Americans are among the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States. For evidence, simply turn to my home state of Texas. In the 30th District alone, Hispanic Americans account for nearly 40 percent of my constituents. The inclusion of their voices and values in the community make my district, and the United States, stronger as whole. Sadly, as a result of systemic inequalities, Hispanic Americans face a higher risk of contracting and dying from the coronavirus. Additionally, many have been forced to choose between returning to work in unsafe environments or losing their jobs--quite literally a choice of life or death. Madam Speaker, as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, let us be mindful of the pain this community has felt these past few months, and continue to push for the passage of bills--such as the HEROES Act, the DREAM and Promise Act, and Raise the Wage Act--all of which would greatly improve the lives of our Hispanic brothers and sisters.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this resolution that condemns all forms of anti-Asian sentiment during this COVID-19 pandemic. This public health crisis has caused significant pain and suffering to communities across our nation, and we are especially concerned about an apparent increase in verbal and physical attacks, as well as discrimination, against Asian Americans. Our society must clearly state that this xenophobia must not and will not be accepted. Asian Americans are not responsible for the spread of COVID-19, and yet they have been repeatedly harassed, discriminated, and even attacked by some who wrongly believe they are at fault. There are over two thousand reported incidences of coronavirus-related discrimination by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council. We must better protect our vulnerable communities during times of turmoil, and it is even more egregious that many of these same victims are simultaneously fighting this pandemic as doctors, nurses, and other frontline providers. Therefore, I am proud to support this resolution that explicitly calls on all public officials to condemn and denounce all anti-Asian sentiment in any form. Additionally, I am pleased that this legislation recognizes that the health and safety of all Americans, no matter their background, must be our utmost priority. On behalf of the constituents of the 30th Congressional District of Texas, I am proud to support this resolution condemning anti-Asian sentiment during this pandemic, and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2694, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a critical effort that I have cosponsored. Despite almost four decades since the passage of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, women continue to face significant challenges in the workplace during their pregnancies. This is especially concerning for those working jobs that require physical activity, for which temporary modifications to limit risks to expectant mothers should be considered. Instead, employers have often refused to accommodate pregnant workers, forcing them to choose between their health or economic security. This is unacceptable--employers should not be permitted to discriminate against pregnant individuals who are requesting reasonable workplace accommodations. Therefore, I am pleased to support the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which will require that employers make these reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. This legislation will also benefit those who are employed and expecting, but it is especially critical for the more than 1 in 5 pregnant workers who are employed in a low-paid job with physically demanding work and minimal flexibility. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act will make possible for accommodations that include the modification of no-food-or-drink policy to prevent contractions from lack of hydration, reassignment of heavy lifting duties, and provision of additional personal protective equipment, staggered workplace schedules, or telework during COVID-19. As representatives of Americans from all corners of our country, we have a responsibility to protect the health and economic livelihood of our expectant mothers and the well-being of their families. On behalf of my home state of Texas, I urge my colleagues to support the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we woke up this morning to another 1,000 souls lost to coronavirus and the Western States are ablaze. Our most powerful weapon for combating these threats is rigorous, unbiased science. And yet this administration continues to suppress and misrepresent the work of our Federal scientists. HHS officials appear to be tampering with public health bulletins to suit their political narrative. EPA is misrepresenting its own analysts' work to absolve polluters. And just yesterday, the President claimed that science doesn't know about the impacts of climate change. If science doesn't know, who does? This cannot go on. My committee has been fighting back. Among other initiatives, we have passed the Scientific Integrity Act to make sure that Federal science is not distorted by politics or special interests, no matter who is in the White House. As we work to make this bill a law, I commend all of our Federal scientists who remain objective, exacting, and transparent in their research: Don't quit. Continue to stand up to scientific integrity. Your country needs you. We all do.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 881 ``The Promoting Research and Observations of Space Weather to Improve the Forecasting of Tomorrow, or PROSWIFT, Act.'' Space weather is something the American public may not yet have an awareness of, but it has the potential to impact society across the world--every single day. Geomagnetic storms or solar flares can cause disturbances in both space and the near-Earth environment. These effects can reach the Earth's surface and pose significant risks to humans operating in space, some aircraft flights, space communications, GPS-based services, the electric grid, pipelines, and other space-based and ground-based infrastructure. In short, space weather events can have major societal, national security, economic, and health impacts. That is why I was an original co-sponsor of Mr. Perlmutter's H.R. 5260, ``The PROSWIFT Act,'' which is the basis of the text of the Senate-passed space weather bill we are voting on today. H.R. 5260 was widely supported by the space weather community, including academia, industry, and not-for-profit entities. I want to commend my colleague on the House Science Committee, Mr. Perlmutter, for tirelessly pushing to make this legislation a reality for over five years. He and his dedicated staff worked closely with my Committee staff, with the staff of the Committee's Ranking Member, as well as staff of our colleagues in the Senate, to bring this legislation to the floor today. Unlike previous attempts to move this legislation, I am proud that the bill being voted on today came out of regular order in the House Science Committee. This bill took into consideration feedback from major stakeholders in the space weather community and was strengthened during our markup process to include a commercial space weather pilot program. It was further strengthened following negotiations with our colleagues in the Senate. I am pleased that this bill represents both bicameral and bipartisan agreement on this important issue. I have supported the overall agenda to advance the space weather enterprise and ensure capabilities for space weather observation and forecasting for many years and Congresses before this. I am looking forward to finally passing this legislation today, and have it enacted after years of hard work. Being able to better understand and predict space weather events is vitally important to protecting our society, our economy, and our critical national infrastructure. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan and good governance bill.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4979) to direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to support STEM education and workforce development research focused on rural areas, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 4979, the bill now under consideration.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4979, the Rural STEM Education Act. I thank Ranking Member Lucas and Representative McAdams for introducing this important bill, which I am proud to cosponsor. The COVID-19 crisis has revealed and exacerbated the many harmful inequities that persist in our society. Rural communities have not been spared. Broadband access and the so-called digital divide have long been a barrier to high quality STEM education for students in rural areas. STEM teachers in rural communities are stretched thin, often teaching multiple STEM subjects at multiple grade levels. While dedicated and hardworking, these teachers have limited resources and support, including training that is up-to-date and optimized for schools in a rural setting. Rural school districts also have limited access to library equipment to provide students with hands-on experiences and a glimpse of what it is like to actually do science. The sudden transition to remote education across the Nation that has occurred due to the pandemic has amplified these challenges for rural communities. School districts are getting creative. Some are setting up internet hotspots in the parking lot. Some students can download assignments and submit homework. Others are sending out paper packets for students without reliable transportation. While these stopgap measures are helpful, they are not enough. And students are falling behind. If we had invested in improving remote teaching and mentoring and improving broadband access before the pandemic hit, rural communities would have been better prepared to weather this crisis. The Rural STEM Education Act provides for research and development to improve access to evidence-based STEM education opportunities in rural schools and provide teachers with the support and tools they need to teach more effectively. I am particularly excited about the NIST rural connectivity prize competition and the Broadband Research and Development Working Group, which would advance research and technology development to expand broadband access across the country. The bill also provides for a much-needed assessment of Federal investments in rural STEM education through the National Academies of Science and the Government Accountability Office. This bill is a critical step forward to ensuring that more students have access to a high-quality STEM education and that we are equipped with the STEM workforce we need to face future challenges like this pandemic. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Mr. Lucas, for introducing this bill, and also for working collaboratively with me and the staff to ensure it was a bipartisan effort. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. McAdams).

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. I would like to take a moment again to thank the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas) for working with the members of this committee on this legislation and thank Mr. McAdams and Dr. Baird. It is my hope that we can pass this bill out of the House today and, hopefully, work with our colleagues in the Senate to get this bipartisan bill, as well as many others, of course, we have sent over there passed into law. This bill is needed more now than it was when we started out, so I would hope that the Senate will see the need to pass this bill as soon as possible. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 2574, the Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act of 2019. This bill will take a meaningful step forward to ensure that programs receiving federal funding are upholding a high standard of equality and inclusion--similar to that which our country strives for. In 2001, the Supreme Court, in its ruling in Alexander v. Sandoval, stated that only the Department of Education can challenge schools and other programs over discriminatory practices. In the majority opinion written by Justice Antonin Scalia, supported by the court's conservative bloc, he claimed that students and parents did not own the right to challenge schools and other programs on their practices and policies. Let me repeat that--the Supreme Court ruled that instead of allowing those directly and adversely affected by discriminatory practices and policies to initiate legal proceedings, the responsibility would be placed on government bureaucrats. Now, at a time when the Department of Education lacks competent leadership, it is more important than ever before to reverse the Supreme Court's decision. H.R. 2574 rectifies the Court's ruling and would allow students and parents to hold federally funded programs, like schools, accountable for any discriminatory practices and policies that impact people of color through a private right to action within the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It also creates an Assistant for Equity and Inclusion position in the Department of Education, tasked with guiding and advising the agency as to the best practices and policies for students in every classroom across the country. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and ask for its immediate in consideration in the Senate.