Andy Kim

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I rise to offer my amendment to H.R. 1. Mr. Chair, our democracy isn't working for the majority of Americans. This is a simple message I hear from the people in my district every single day: there are too many barriers to participate in our democracy; there is too much dark money influencing our politics; there are too many loopholes for bad actors to skirt our ethics laws and use the revolving door of politics to enrich themselves instead of empowering the American people. H.R. 1 isn't just a step in the right direction, it is a massive shift that takes power and puts it back in the hands of our constituents. It is legislation that reminds us that our government must be for the people, but just as importantly, our democracy must be by the people. That is why I rise today to offer this amendment to H.R. 1, which will require Federal election ballots to be made in America. In short, this is a win-win for the American people. It will help protect and create American jobs by ensuring that manufacturing stays right here in America. It will help protect the integrity of our Federal elections, which are increasingly under attack by foreign powers. We have an opportunity today to not only help clean up our government, but create jobs and secure our elections. I hope that my colleagues from both sides of the aisle will come together to make the democracy we swore to protect truly of, by, and for the people. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense made-in- America amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I just want to start by saying that I am very much looking forward to being able to continue to work with the gentleman from Illinois throughout my time here. I appreciate his welcome to me here on the House floor. Mr. Chair, for me, as we go about this, it is essential that we understand that our ballots are the most fundamental form of our democracy that citizens here are engaged in, that we understand them as a tangible manifestation of that participation that each and every voter plays. So this is a manifestation of our value, our collective value that with this most important symbol of our democracy, this tangible form that our voters take, that this should be something of, by, and for the American people. That is something that I think would be an important signal from the United States Congress across this country that we recognize the importance of that and we want to hold and commit to making sure that this tangible piece of our democracy is something that is made in America. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. KIM. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the perspective on the other end, and I understand our common value that, of course, we would want to see things made in America, and I want to make sure that I constantly, as I will every time on this House floor, seek bipartisanship as we move forward. I reiterate that this is a commonsense amendment that is simply good policy. My amendment would give a leg up to domestic supply chains and ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to support local middle-class jobs and boost our economy. Amendments like mine also ensure that when Federal agencies buy products to carry out their responsibilities, that they put American manufacturers first. Mr. Chair, I urge adoption, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the efforts in Congress to clean up our democracy and deliver power back to the American people. I never thought that I would run for Congress. I never thought that I would have the chance to stand right here on the floor of the House of Representatives. I am here today because I was tired of watching corporations and special interests cutting to the front of the line ahead of the people. I was tired of watching dark money grow, gerrymandering polarize our politics, and the American people pushed aside. Now we have a precious chance to fix this and to build the kind of government the American people deserve. As we make up our minds and cast our votes, I ask us not to think of this as a partisan issue. I assure you that the people in my district on both sides believe that the system isn't working for them. I call on my colleagues to vote to pass H.R. 1 and deliver the change our constituents demand and deserve.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to deliver a message from my district. It is a message I have heard in my townhalls and from my neighbors throughout Burlington and Ocean Counties: Healthcare costs are too high, and we need to act now. That is why I am proud to introduce the SAVE Act. This is bipartisan legislation that would help States establish State-based exchanges that would increase access and drive down costs. These are solutions that we know work. States with State-based exchanges have higher enrollment rates and more affordable coverage. Right now, there are a number of States that haven't set up their own exchanges. That is tens of millions of people, including millions of people throughout New Jersey, who stand to benefit. It is time to listen to our constituents and help them save. I hope Members will join me in acting and moving this legislation forward.

Mr. KIM

Mr. KIM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pastor James L. Betner, a leader in the Baptist church and dedicated servant to his community, for 20 years of leadership at the Delaware Valley Baptist Church. Dr. Betner has led Delaware Valley Baptist Church through a remarkable period of revitalization over the past 20 years, which has grown the congregation's ability to positively impact their community. Under Dr. Betner's leadership, the church has grown spiritually, as well as in size. He has led Delaware Valley Baptist Church to build and expand into a new worship center and has aided in the spiritual development of countless men and women. Dr. Betner also serves as a denominational leader within the Baptist Resource Network (BRN) of Pennsylvania and South Jersey, serving most recently as the Healthy Church Catalyst for all the affiliated churches in South Jersey. Pastor James is a recognized leader and one of the longest tenured and most respected pastors in the BRN. Pastor Betner has also led the church to establish its own community development corporation, the New Vision CDC. The New Vision organization prioritizes education, economic development and employment. Through this organization and Dr. Betner's leadership the CDC has partnered with the Food Bank of South Jersey to serve as a food and clothing pantry in Burlington county serving over 1,000 people annually. The CDC also has provided an annual low-cost summer camp to school age children in the community and has given out scholarships to rising high school seniors and college freshmen annually. Dr. Betner's life of service has created educational opportunities for young people and helped grow the Delaware Valley Baptist Church's ability to effect change in South Jersey. Dr. Betner's commitment to the betterment of our community is deeply valued by all New Jerseyans, and we look forward to seeing the positive impacts of his legacy for years to come. I thank and congratulate Dr. Betner for his 20 years of service to our community.