Robin Kelly

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for hosting this Special Order hour tonight. Mr. Speaker, when I ran for Congress, I ran on gun violence prevention. That was 10 years ago, and I am running just as hard today. I always ask just who or how many have to be killed before we really do something about this public health crisis. According to a recent study by professors from Harvard and Cambridge, by the age of 40, half of Chicago residents have seen someone shot. Just seeing someone shot is known to cause trauma and PTSD that impacts your ability to lead a happy, healthy life. Our communities deserve better. Mr. Speaker, 56 percent of Black and Hispanic residents under 40 witnessed a shooting, compared to 25 percent of White residents under 40. Black Chicago residents are more than three times more likely to be shot than White residents. Mr. Speaker, 176 victims have been killed in Chicago in 2023. Just this weekend alone, 4 people were killed and 22 were wounded because of gun violence in Chicago. This past weekend, a 27-year-old man was shot while putting groceries in his car. Hours later, a Chicago police officer was fatally shot as she arrived home from work early Saturday. She was 24. Instead of graduating with her master's next week, it will be her funeral. The next day, a 25-year-old man was killed in a drive-by shooting. Among the 22 wounded in the past weekend was a 15-year-old boy who was shot in the leg and rushed to the hospital. In the last month around the country, a young lady was shot and killed while turning into a driveway, something we have all done. A boy was shot because he knocked on the wrong door while looking for his siblings. We have all knocked on the wrong door from time to time. A dad and a little girl were shot because the basketball they were playing with rolled into a neighbor's yard. Mr. Speaker, two cheerleaders were shot because they went to the wrong car--something I know I have done before--and the guy jumped out and shot the cheerleaders. Is this the kind of country we want to survive in? I will tell you, this is not living. We have got to do more. My colleagues have named the various things that we can do, and I work in a very bipartisan way. But I tell you, Mr. Speaker, Republicans have blood on their hands. It is just amazing to me that in these 10 years they have turned a blind eye. They talk about the Second Amendment. Many of us have told them we believe in the Second Amendment, but we also believe that people have the right to go to the park, to go to the store, to go to school, to ride the city bus, to come out of band practice, and to come out of choir practice. What about those rights for those people? Think about it.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because we have a gun problem in the United States. This problem has been ongoing for years, but the continued events make this reality all the more stark. Kaylin Gillis was shot and killed for turning around in a driveway, something so many of us have done. Heather Roth and Payton Washington, two cheerleaders, were shot for mistakenly getting into a car they thought was theirs, something so many of us have done. Kinsley White and her parents were shot for retrieving a basketball in a neighbor's yard, something so many of us have done. Ralph Yarl was shot for ringing the wrong doorbell when picking up his siblings, something so many of us have done. All of this violence, not to mention the mass shootings in Dadeville, Louisville, and Nashville this month, reminds us that going about your daily life can quickly turn deadly in this country. Death should not be a consequence for simply living our lives. We cannot continue to look away from the thousands of lives taken by gun violence every year that barely register in the headlines. This past weekend, 17 people were shot in Chicago, including a 3- year-old from Calumet Heights and a 6-year-old from Woodlawn. The weekend before, 10 were killed and 26 wounded. Four were killed and 21 injured the weekend before that. Whether it is from a fight gone too far, an accidental discharge, a stray bullet, or death by suicide, guns make our communities more dangerous and restrict other people's freedoms. Walking down the street or playing with your kids on the front porch shouldn't be dangerous activities. I am sick and tired of gun violence only being acknowledged in Chicago to say that gun laws don't work. This is simply not true. According to trace data from the ATF, only 49 percent of crime guns used in Illinois are from Illinois. Illegal gun trafficking from States with fewer gun protections makes my constituents less safe. Whether it is background checks, consumer safety laws, community violence intervention, or cracking down on gun trafficking, gun safety laws work. States that have fewer gun laws have higher gun deaths. Already in 2023, 13,000 people have died because of a gun, and another 10,000 have been wounded. These numbers include homicides, suicides, mass shootings, and daily gun violence. One thing these incidents all have in common is that access to a firearm made them more deadly. This is a public health crisis that is painfully American. Unlike our peer countries, life expectancy in this country is not rising after the worst of the pandemic has abated. Life expectancy continues to decline because our young people are dying, and too many of those deaths are from guns. The data shows that violence begets violence begets violence. More violence means fewer job opportunities, fewer education opportunities, and fewer opportunities to build a healthy family. The solution is not cutting Social Security, not cutting Medicaid, not adding onerous work requirements, not cutting school funding. The solution is better gun safety laws, and we must invest in our communities to stop the cycle of violence. We must dispense with the false choice between better gun safety measures and what some dare to call freedom. A constant, slow-motion massacre is not the price of freedom. This is a farce. What about our freedom to go to the grocery store and church, to go to school, to ride on the bus, to play in the park, to come out of choir practice, to get coffee from a coffee shop without fear of getting shot? No matter who they are or where they grew up, someone being shot to death is not an inevitability. They died because we failed them. We failed their family. We failed their community. I am tired of failing. We have the tools to stop this senseless violence. We just need the courage to use them. I have been fighting for stronger gun safety laws since my first day in Congress, and I am not going to stop. I can't imagine looking at a mom who has lost her child or a brother that has lost his sister and telling them to calm down, to stop asking for something to change. We all deserve the freedom to live without fear. Thoughts and prayers are nice, but they won't save lives. Doing nothing is not an option.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the women of the Divine Nine, the historically Black sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. I am proud to honor the organizations that have produced some of our Nation's best and brightest leaders. For over 100 years, these organizations have fostered and empowered generations of Black women to become leaders in government, business, academia, and so much more. I am not exaggerating when I say these historically Black sororities have shaped the course of history. I want to take a moment to salute each sorority. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority--their colors are salmon pink and apple green--was founded in 1908 at Howard University. Their mission: Service to all mankind. Their sisterhood proudly boasts Vice President Kamala Harris; also my colleagues, Congresswomen Sheila Jackson Lee, Terri Sewell, Frederica Wilson, Alma Adams, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Lauren Underwood, Emilia Sykes, and Lisa Blunt Rochester. I salute former Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and also members of their membership, civil rights leaders Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King, and their honorable president, Danette Anthony Reed. Next, we have Delta Sigma Theta. Their colors are crimson and cream, founded in 1913 at Howard University. Delta's motto is ``intelligence is the torch of wisdom.'' Delta counts as sisters, my esteemed colleagues Yvette Clarke, Joyce Beatty, Stacey Plaskett, Lucy McBath, Summer Lee, Jasmine Crockett, Valerie Foushee, and our newest Member, Jennifer McClellan. I also salute former Congresswoman Val Demings and our HUD Secretary, Marsha Fudge. Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American woman elected to Congress, and she also was a member of Delta Sigma Theta. Their honorable president is Elsie Cooke-Holmes. Next, we have Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. Their colors are blue and white. It was founded in 1920 at Howard University. Zeta's founding principles are scholarship, service, sisterhood, and finer womanhood. My colleague Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove is a member of Zeta Phi Beta, as well as former Congresswoman Donna Edwards and the late Congresswoman Julia Carson. They boast as members Anita Hill and author Zora Neale Hurston. Their honorable president is Stacie NC Grant. Last but not least, my sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. We wear the colors of royal blue and gold. We were founded in 1922 at Butler University, just celebrating our 100th year. My sisters in Sigma are Congresswoman Barbara Lee, as well as the late Congresswoman Lindy Boggs, and former Congresswoman Corrine Brown. In our membership is the first African-American winner of an Academy Award, Hattie McDaniel, and the first African-American woman journalist to cover the White House, Alice Allison Dunnigan. Our esteemed grand basileus is Rasheeda S. Liberty. The women of the Divine Nine have driven progress on everything from women's suffrage to civil rights. These organizations were instrumental to the end of the brutal regime of Jim Crow. Alumnae have also made advancements in industry, medicine, entertainment, and more. In short, the historically Black sororities have been critical to the advancement of Black women in America and have changed history for the better. Our work is far from done. The strength and solidarity of these organizations is needed now more than ever. In just the first months of 2023, our country continues to see efforts to turn back the clock on fundamental civil rights. Black people are still not safe in their own communities. Black people have less say in their government, and voting rights are being chipped away. The threat of racist violence is still painfully present in too many communities. I have so much hope in the new generation of leaders that begin their journey as college students with Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Zeta Phi Beta, or Sigma Gamma Rho. Each year, more young people go out into the world to make our country a better place. The road ahead is long, but I am confident that our coalitions for justice and equality will only grow because of the continued strength of the women of the Divine Nine along with our five historically Black fraternities.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today we honor the hard work and service of Larry R. Rogers, Sr.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Larry Rogers, Sr. Larry was a loving father and grandfather and a devoted Chicago sports fan, but he was known to many for changing their lives in the courtroom. Larry was a native of the Roseland community in Chicago and came to the practice of law while he was working three jobs to support his family. There were very few other Black attorneys at the time, and Larry Rogers, Sr., helped pave the way for more lawyers who looked like him. As a lawyer, Larry fought for the little guy. He won hundreds of millions of dollars for victims of corporate malfeasance and medical malpractice. One of his most notable accomplishments was winning an eight-figure verdict for victims of chloride-deficient baby formula even after the Department of Justice declined to press charges. He lived a life devoted to giving the powerless a chance to take on the most powerful. Larry Rogers, Sr., leaves behind a legacy that all of Illinois can be proud of. It was an honor to know him.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to salute my sorority, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, for its centennial celebration on November 12, 2022. We were founded in Indianapolis, Indiana, at Butler University November 12, 1922, by seven illustrious schoolteachers. Now we are led by the wonderful Grand Basileus Rasheeda Liberty, and we will embark on our next 100 with greater service, greater progress.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, today we celebrate the 21st Anniversary of Rev. Dr. Trunell D. Felder's leadership of New Faith Baptist Church International. Whereas, New Faith Baptist Church International has served the Chicagoland area for 21 years under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Trunell D. Felder; Whereas, New Faith Baptist Church was founded in 1976 as a result of the efforts of Rev. Junius Dudley who wished to bring the Black worship experience to the Park Forest community area; Whereas, New Faith Baptist Church experienced phenomenal growth under the leadership of Rev. Frank Thomas, bringing membership from 30 active members to 2,250 active members; Whereas, New Faith Baptist Church continued to expand within the community and, in 1984, broke ground for a permanent facility at 25 S. Central Avenue in Matteson, Illinois; Whereas, New Faith Baptist Church expanded to youth outreach and developed a youth ministry targeting high school and junior high school students with programs such as ``Jesus and Me'' (J.A.M.) and ``Helping Young People Excel'' (H.Y.P.E.); Whereas, Rev. Dr. Trunell D. Felder began his official duties as Senior Pastor of New Faith Baptist Church on October 1, 2001 and saw membership grow from 2,250 active members to 7,000+ active members; Whereas, New Faith Baptist Church expanded their evangelism and community efforts within Matteson and surrounding communities, especially within the Ford Heights community through providing free health screenings, free school supplies, job fairs, and a carnival to the community; Whereas, New Faith Baptist Church became an international ministry in 2005 and expanded to Ghana, West Africa with 15 churches and 6 Christian schools, and to Cape Town, South Africa with 6 churches; Whereas, Rev. Dr. Trunell D. Felder and Rev. Dr. Alexis L. Felder founded The Joseph Assignment, a Christian global humanitarian organization that has impacted the lives of over 320,000 people living in extreme poverty; Whereas, New Faith Baptist Church International continues to dedicate their time and service to the Matteson community and surrounding areas, sharing the love of Christ with the world--until all have heard; and Now, therefore, be it resolved, by the House of Representatives of the United States of America that the hard work and service of Rev. Dr. Trunell D. Felder and New Faith Baptist Church International be remembered and honored.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, today we honor the hard work and dedication of Illinoisan Mike Jordan. Whereas, Mike Jordan is retiring from his position on July 31, 2022 after serving as a State Farm Insurance agent for 43 years in Chicago's South Suburbs; Whereas, Mike Jordan has been uplifted throughout his career by his wife, Patricia, and daughter Allison; Whereas, Mike Jordan always greets people with a smile on his face, a bounce in his step, and an eagerness to offer whatever help he can; Whereas, Mike Jordan is active in his local community of Park Forest, striving to improve the village by serving on the community's Economic Development Advisory Group as the Vice Chairperson and as a member of the St. Irenaeus Catholic Parish Finance Committee; Whereas, Mike Jordan's relationship with former President Barack Obama led him to encourage the former President to pursue the Presidency; and was active in former President Barack Obama's campaigns for U.S. Senator and his two runs for the Presidency; Whereas, he has always sought to exceed his clients' highest expectations, including by visiting a business owner's business to inquire about storm and rain damage before the business owner had time to initiate a request for service; Whereas, Mike Jordan kindly offered a ride home to a client after the client was involved in a late-night automobile accident; and the client said ``It's not the policy. I just have the best insurance agent in the world!''; Whereas, Mike Jordan is humble about his widespread influence on his community and his church, and serves as a mentor and advisor to many fortunate people across the United States; Whereas, he has positively impacted so many people's lives and helped countless families; Whereas, Mike Jordan ends every conversation in which he is engaged with an expression of gratitude; and now, therefore, be it Resolved, By the House of Representatives of the United States of America that the hard work and service of Mike Jordan be remembered and honored.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to talk about Reese Hamsmith, an 18-month-old child who died due to complications 2 months after ingesting a button battery. This story has become more and more common with nearly 3,500 children ingesting button and coin batteries each year. Just under a year ago is when I first met with Reese's mom, Trista. Trista's story is heartbreaking, but she has turned her and her family's grief into action. She approached my office with an idea for a bill so that other families are spared this experience. Reese's Law requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create safety standards for products that contain a button or coin batteries to prevent accidental ingestion by children under 6 years old. I thank Trista for her fierce advocacy for continuing to share Reese's story, and for helping make this bill become a reality. I am proud that this bipartisan bill passed the House yesterday and my colleagues voted to protect children and help save countless lives.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. We are here today to protect our constituents and save lives. We have waited far too long for this day. Elements of my bill, the Prevent Gun Trafficking Act, are included in this legislation to crack down on the illegal gun trafficking and straw purchasing that is bringing guns into communities across the country. I know just how detrimental trafficking can be to a community. Last year, in Chicago, a single stolen gun was linked to at least 27 separate shootings before it was taken off the street. Two dozen people were shot during its use and two of them killed. More than half of guns used in Chicago shootings are brought into the city by trafficking. Thank you, Wisconsin and Indiana. We have lost so many people and traumatized countless others. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this legislation to help make Chicagoland a safer place.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, in June, we celebrate Pride Month, a time to not only uplift members of our LGBTQ+ community and honor those who have fought for LGBTQ+ rights and equality but also to recommit ourselves to ensuring and advancing those rights. Last week, President Biden signed an executive order to build on the historic progress his administration has made for LGBTQ+ people. I am thrilled that with this executive order, President Biden will address discriminatory legislative attacks against LGBTQ+ people, prevent harmful conversion therapy, safeguard healthcare and mental health programs, support LGBTQ+ foster youth, prevent homelessness, and improve connections to the Federal programs that keep LGBTQ+ people safe and healthy. No one should face discrimination because of who they are. Rising hate and violence against the LGBTQ+ community is unacceptable. I will continue working to ensure our LGBTQ+ Americans are protected.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, for years I have heard that tired argument that gun violence prevention legislation won't work. ``Just look at Chicago,'' they say, ``where residents have some of the strictest gun laws but the highest rates of gun violence.'' The reason for that is simple--gun trafficking. More than 60 percent of guns used in crimes in Chicago come from out of State, and we are not the only city where this happens. According to the ATF, from just 2016 to 2020, one-third of the more than 1.3 million crime guns recovered and traced by law enforcement were brought in across State lines. These guns are purchased in States with lax laws, trafficked across State lines, and then sold to people in our State who we know should not have a gun. In Illinois, we are doing everything we can to protect our residents. Our neighbors are failing us. That is why I introduced the Prevent Gun Trafficking Act, and why I am so glad this solution is included in the Protecting Our Kids Act. This is a simple, commonsense solution. Making straw purchasing a Federal crime will help stop the flow of guns into our communities from out of State. Most importantly, it will save lives. Stopping gun trafficking and straw purchasing is just one step we can take to eliminate gun violence. The Protecting Our Kids Act is a smart, broad approach to a complex issue. Passing this bill is the next step forward in saving children, and we cannot wait. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I am sick and tired of standing up here to say I am sick and tired. I am tired of reminding my colleagues that we have a gun violence epidemic in this country outside of mass shootings. We hold moments of silence. We stand up, we sit down, but we do nothing. The mass shooting carried out by a racist white supremacist in Buffalo last weekend was absolutely horrible. I am truly sorry for the victims' families and for the whole community. But also know, this weekend in Chicago 33 people were shot and five died, and we did nothing. I care both about the people who are killed by guns, whether they are shot alone in a park or next to their neighbors in a supermarket. I see a lot of colleagues expressing outrage about the Buffalo shooting, but outrage means nothing until we start legislating or investing in solutions. I do not care what the Senate will or won't pass. Let them go on record and show the American people whether they care about their safety or not. Just who and how many have to die before we take action?

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, during the COVID-19 pandemic, vulnerabilities that have existed in our domestic supply chains for years were put to the test. The vulnerabilities of our supply chain resulted in consumers being faced with empty shelves at stores and small businesses struggling to reach consumers. We must act now to restore our supply chain and ensure that our economy is prepared for the next crisis. The House took the first step in passing the America COMPETES Act. As the House and Senate resolve differences, we must include the supply chain provisions in the final House bill so we can repair these supply chain vulnerabilities. The supply chain provisions included the Supply CHAIN Act, which I led with Representatives Bordeaux and Kinzinger. We need an office of supply chain resilience and crisis response at the Department of Commerce to monitor critical supply chains and encourage partnerships between the Federal Government and industry. It is time to repair our supply chains and protect our economy.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, in regards to Division P, Title III--Medicare, Subtitle A--Telehealth Flexibility Extensions, Sec 308. Reports on Telehealth Utilizations, an analysis of racial and ethnic minorities as well as dual Medicare and Medicaid eligible beneficiaries should be considered by the Commission. By not including racial and ethnic minorities in this study, Congress will be unable to identify potential health inequities that occur with regard to accessing telehealth services. Furthermore, the inclusion of dual eligible populations will allow Congress to account for differences in socio- economic status with telehealth services. By including racial and ethnic minorities and dual eligible beneficiaries, we can ensure vulnerable populations have equitable access to telehealth services.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to thank Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and her committee for all of their hard work. Passing the America COMPETES Act will help small businesses and ensure the U.S. remains a leader in scientific development. This bill funds STEM programs to develop the next generation of diverse scientists and inventors and funds the CHIPS Act to bring back semiconductor manufacturing to U.S. shores. Companies large and small across industries are confronting new supply chain challenges. In my district, I have visited companies like Plochman's. They are doing their best to produce delicious mustards, despite current production challenges. The bipartisan Supply CHAIN Act included in this bill will create an Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response within the Department of Commerce to monitor supply chains of critical goods and materials to mitigate future challenges. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this bill and bring relief to small businesses across the country.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion at the desk.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to pass the Build Back Better Act. The Build Back Better Act will bring transformational change to the American people, create a more equitable healthcare system, and save lives. One of the greatest ongoing injustices in our country is just how many people do not have access to affordable healthcare. That population is overwhelmingly made up of people of color and rural Americans. Policymakers and medical institutions have not prioritized the healthcare needs of communities of color and rural communities. The Build Back Better Act will help these communities by closing the healthcare coverage gap, create more affordable coverage options, expand benefits for seniors, invest in improving access to mental health and substance use disorders, attack the gun violence epidemic with public-health focused interventions, invest in addressing the Black maternal mortality crisis, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. Investing in affordable care, preventative care, and targeted reductions in violence will result in fewer extreme health scenarios, fewer emergency room visits, and over time, will save us money and reduce the burden on our healthcare system. Healthcare is a human right. Passing the Build Back Better Act is a step in the right direction.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 315.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Build Back Better Act, which includes significant investments in the fight for health equity. As chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, I know all too well that, for centuries, Black Americans and people of color have been systematically denied affordable healthcare access and left behind when it comes to our healthcare policies. No more. Healthcare access is an essential right, and we must do more to ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or ZIP Code, have access to quality, affordable healthcare. I am proud that our draft of the Build Back Better Act takes a step toward that goal. We have included several key investments that are going to make a real difference in healthcare available to folks. These investments will prevent chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes, ensure earlier detection and treatment of certain cancers, and tackle the Black maternal health crisis. There is so much good included in the Build Back Better Act, but today I want to highlight just three of the most urgent health equity issues this bill will address. The first of those priorities is saving the lives of mothers. The Build Back Better Act provides for a mandatory extension of postpartum care for new mothers utilizing Medicaid. In the American Rescue Plan, we included an option for States to extend postpartum care for 12 months after delivery. While some States have taken up that option, it will expire in 5 years. The Build Back Better Act goes a step further in making that expanded postpartum coverage mandatory and permanent. Research shows that one- third of all pregnancy-related maternal deaths occur between 1 week and 1 year of delivery, and Black women are at an increased risk of experiencing severe complications or death. No more. New mothers should have access to postpartum care, regardless of which State they live in. Extending postpartum care under Medicaid will save lives and ensure that mothers are able to see their babies grow up. Additionally, the Build Back Better Act includes a solution to permanently close the Medicaid coverage gap. There are still 12 States that have refused to expand Medicaid, and as many as 4 million people currently lack access to healthcare because of the coverage gap. No more. Ensuring that Medicaid is available to everyone who needs it will reduce emergency room visits, allow for an increased focus on preventive care and save us money in the long run. Closing the coverage gap will also help address the Black maternal health crisis. Because of the Medicaid coverage gap, many women are not eligible for care until they become pregnant, and by the time they get approved, they have missed out on weeks or even months of prenatal and early pregnancy care during these critical early days of pregnancy. Access to healthcare in the early days of pregnancy is crucial in detecting and treating pregnancy-related complications with both mother and baby. Closing the coverage gap will ensure that new mothers have access to care when they need it most. With Build Back Better, we are tackling health equity issues from babies to older adults. Once we pass the Build Back Better Act, we will begin including dental, vision, and hearing coverage for seniors through Medicare Part B. Dental coverage will include cleaning and x-rays, extractions, oral disease management services, and dentures--all vital dental procedures and care that seniors both need and deserve. Many people may not realize it, but oral health has significant impacts on your overall health, and poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, kidney disease, and dementia. Including dental coverage will help so many people, but it will be especially important for people of color. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, 71 percent of Black Medicare beneficiaries and 65 percent of Hispanic beneficiaries went without a dental visit in the past year, compared to 43 percent of White beneficiaries. No more. Ultimately, these policies are not just about saving lives, but improving lives. We are investing in the health and safety of our constituents and their ability to live long, happy, and healthy lives with their families. Our healthcare system has been pushed to its limits throughout the past 18 months, and we have been shown, under a bright light, the cracks in its foundation. But it is not beyond repair. Through meaningful investment, we can rebuild our healthcare system in a way that works for everyone and addresses centuries-long challenges to achieving health equity. The Build Back Better Act presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to advance health equity. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a valued member of my team, Charles Bolden, who recently departed my office for a new challenge. Charles began working in my office in 2016 and has proven himself time and again to be a vital and integral part of the team. He started out as a staff assistant in the office enthusiastically greeting guests and savoring every conversation with constituents. His dedication to serving the people of Illinois' Second Congressional District, which is also his home, stood out. Charles handled the gun violence portfolio for the office, which is personal to him as he personally lost close friends to gun violence. This is an issue that is so important to both Charles and me, and I am grateful for his many years of service working to save lives and bring gun violence prevention resources to the people of Chicagoland. While I am so sad to see Charles Mackie Bolden, aka Charlie, to me, move on, I am very grateful for his years of service, and I wish him the best in his next endeavor.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of en bloc No. 2, which includes three amendments I worked on. Amendment No. 217 establishes a pilot transition assistance program for military spouses, offering similar services to those available for members of our Armed Forces. This includes mental health first aid training since military spouses are well positioned to notice warning signs for any mental health or subsequent abuse struggles a new veteran might experience. Amendment No. 218 will improve interagency communication as the low Earth orbit becomes more crowded with defense, civil, and commercial space assets. Finally, amendment No. 158 with Representative Gonzales will create a National Digital Reserve Corps to bring private sector talent into the Federal Government to work on short-term projects. We need more cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and developer expertise in the Federal Government if we are going to meet the challenges of the 21st century. I urge my colleagues to support this en bloc.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Center for Audit Excellence and its mission in supporting and assisting auditing organizations domestically and internationally. A part of the Government Accountability Office, the Center for Audit Excellence provides training and assistance to auditing organizations, fostering accountability from local governments in the United States and foreign governments across the globe. One of the Center's most essential missions is aiding supreme audit institutions of nations that receive U.S. foreign assistance. This helps instill good governance and ensures that U.S. tax dollars are being used efficiently. Currently, the Center for Audit Excellence is funded almost exclusively by fees. They do not have dedicated funding and must rely on USAID missions or local and foreign governments approaching them for their services. Providing dedicated funding will allow for the Center to have more predictable budget cycles and will expand their reach in helping governments establish sound audit practices. Not only is there a need for dedicated funding, but there is also a need for more funding at the Center for Audit Excellence. Providing more funding will expand the Center's global footprint and reach more countries' supreme audit institutions. This critical funding would help ensure that governments around the globe and here at home in the United States have the training and assistance to strengthen oversight capacity and reduce government waste. Helping to build auditing capacity cuts down on government corruption and promotes good governance. Within the U.S., enhanced auditing capacity strengthens local government practices so they better respond to their citizens' needs. Internationally, greater auditing capacity helps low- income and developing nations increase accountability and the responsible use of public funds. The United States provides billions of dollars of foreign assistance each year, and even more is sent to State and local governments. Providing dedicated funding for the Center for Audit Excellence will help ensure that U.S. tax dollars are spent wisely and as intended.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Madam Speaker, today marks the 200th day of this Congress and of House Democrats working for the people. Working together with the Biden administration, we have put our economy back on track, curbed the spread of COVID-19, and put money into the pockets of our constituents. It was only Democrats that voted for the American Rescue Plan, which helped create 3 million jobs, deliver stimulus checks, and extend the child tax credit. The American Rescue Plan also delivered on one of my most urgent priorities, ending the maternal mortality crisis. Allowing States to extend Medicaid coverage for postpartum care from 60 days to one full year postpartum will save lives. Outside of the recovery package, we have continued working on other priorities, like advancing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and passing commonsense gun violence prevention measures to protect and improve the lives of everyday Americans. Madam Speaker, in just 200 days, we have accomplished so much, but rest assured, we are just getting started.

Ms. KELLY of Illinois

Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, ``My husband was shot in the stomach during a robbery attempt in front of our house. Gun violence ruined his life. He was left with grievous residual injuries that have put a huge dent in my family's finances, emotions, sense of security, and our well-being. My family has suffered a lot, but most especially my husband, who has suffered both impaired emotional and physical bodily function. He has so many medical issues as a result of his shooting. We have experienced pain and suffering like so many more families out there. There is horrible residual pain left behind by gun violence. We have become prisoners in our own home.'' ``My younger brother took his own life with a handgun he legally obtained. He had a long history of mental illness, and I disagreed with his ability to purchase a firearm for this very reason. If there had been better background checks in place, he may not have been able to purchase the firearm. I wish that these restrictions were in place. I want you to know that real stakes are involved in a simple issue like background checks. If universal background checks were in place, my little brother might still be alive.'' ``My fiance's son, James, was shot and killed in 2018 after attending a get-together. He was not the intended target. He was a straight-A student in his senior year of high school, trying to decide if he was on his way to college or the Navy. But he didn't get a chance to make his choice. There were nearly 100 witnesses, but no arrest has been made.'' ``I am a trauma therapist working with young children who have been exposed to violence. These children are under the age of 5. Through play, they have demonstrated their experience with the sounds of gunfire. Some have even seen deceased people outside their front door. There is even less funding provided to address the trauma that gun violence produces for the most vulnerable--our children--who are living in the most violent areas.'' These are just a handful of the more than 700 stories about the devastating impacts of gun violence that my constituents have recently shared with me. Each of these stories is heartbreaking, and they highlight both the complexity and the far-reaching consequences of the gun violence epidemic. Every single day in my district and communities across the country, children are traumatized by the sounds of unpredictable gunfire, the sight of blood on pavement, or more ambulance lights in their neighborhoods. Families are becoming financially ruined by the cost of continued surgeries and therapy after being shot. Grandparents write to tell me that their elementary school-aged grandchildren are scared to go and play outside for fear of being gunned down like their classmates and their neighbors. When will enough be enough? America's gun violence epidemic is a slow-motion massacre that is rapidly gaining speed. Just this weekend, 77 people were shot in Chicago, 77 people in just one city in just one weekend. We must act now to stop the steady drip of daily gun violence. Mr. Speaker, 2020 was one of the deadliest gun violence years on record, and we are already on track to outpace those grim statistics. More than 21,000 people are dead in just the first 6 months of this year. We need to step up to the plate and do something to protect our constituents. We need to make straw purchasing and gun trafficking Federal crimes. We need to expand background checks. We need to support more evidence- based community violence prevention programs. We need to build opportunity for youth to get a good education and good jobs. We cannot go on letting mothers bury their children. This week, we mark the end of Gun Violence Awareness Month. But for far too many families, there is no end to this month of awareness and advocacy. These families are painfully aware of the impacts of gun violence because they carry the weight of this epidemic with them every single day. I rise to implore my colleagues to exercise some courage and responsibility by advancing gun violence prevention legislation.