Zoe Lofgren

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, as chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, I rise on behalf of every member of that delegation to strongly oppose this resolution. We have got very few legislative days left in this Congress, and the Republican majority has decided to use time on the floor today not to lower costs that are crushing Americans but to once again pick a fight with California. Now, California has the fourth largest economy in the world. We are also a donor State that pays more in Federal taxes than we get back by about $806 billion a year. But rather than thank us, House Republicans are instead trying to undermine our ability to govern ourselves and protect the health of Americans. Now, what is the point of this resolution? How is encouraging ships to burn more expensive diesel going to help the families across America struggling with Trump's affordability crisis? The war of choice in Iran that the President initiated has caused prices to spike. The other day, I was driving by a gas station and saw diesel fuel at $8.99 a gallon. It is easier and cheaper for ships to plug in at the dock, and the only people who will benefit from this resolution are the oil and gas companies. Finally, there is the question of the legality of repealing these waivers under the Congressional Review Act. The administration resubmitted these waivers in order to designate them as rules to trigger the CRA. Now, the State of California sued, and a Federal court has ordered the EPA to withdraw or correct the reclassifications of all six Clean Air Act section 209 waiver orders that it submitted to Congress because EPA violated the law in labeling them as rules and submitting them to Congress for action under the CRA. In fact, just this last Saturday, September 12, the court ordered EPA to undo its illegal actions specifically with respect to these two maritime waivers after the judge learned they were about to come up for a vote. Republicans are ignoring the brand new direct order of the Federal court by continuing on with the CRAs. I will end with this. California's economy, the fourth biggest in the world, has done pretty well without D.C. Republicans meddling in its business. I think Congress should reject this illegal overreach and vote ``no'' on the resolution.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Doug Stocks, one of the most experienced booksellers in Silicon Valley, on his retirement after 48 years. I wish to include in the Record the following excerpt from Ron Charles' article: Last week, while visiting our elder daughter in Santa Clara, Calif., I overheard a bookseller at Books Inc. say he was retiring. In fact, everyone in the store heard him. Doug Stocks is not the fading, whispering figure of some dusty Masterpiece Theatre bookseller. He's a tall guy with a big, gray beard, somewhere between a happy Hemingway and an off-season Santa--and around here, more famous than either one. Doug is retiring next month after 48 years. ``I'm the longest-standing bookseller in Silicon Valley,'' he told me. It's been the only job he's ever had. ``Since I was 18 years old! Can you believe it? Books, Inc., oldest bookseller west of the Mississippi, publisher of Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, Bret Harte. Mr. Stocks personally met many authors who were present at Books Inc. and made all feel welcomed. He has made so many Silicon Valley residents embrace their love of literature, and our community is deeply thankful fot his decades-long career.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentlewoman from California, the Honorable Aisha Wahab, be permitted to take the oath of office today. Her certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to her election.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Shantanu Narayen on his 18-year tenure as CEO of Adobe, one of the largest software systems in the world, which is proudly headquartered in San Jose, California. Born in Hyderabad, India, he came to the United States to earn his master's degree in computer science from Bowling Green State University and later an MBA from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. He held leadership roles at Apple and Silicon Graphics before co-founding Pictra, an early photo-sharing startup, in 1996. In 1998, Mr. Narayen joined Adobe as Senior VP of Worldwide Product Development. He rose through the ranks, becoming President and Chief Operating Officer in 2005 and Chief Executive Officer in 2007. During Mr. Narayen's tenure as CEO of Adobe, the company has become massively successful, being named to Forbes' Most Innovative Companies list and joining the Fortune 500 for the first time ever in 2018. Adobe also expanded its mark on San Jose in 2023, opening the 18-story Founders Tower, the first all-electric building of its size in Silicon Valley. Adobe has also invested in San Jose through the Adobe Foundation and its Hometown Commitment, donating millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to San Jose nonprofits. Mr. Narayen has received high praise for his executive leadership, being listed among Barron's World's Best CEOs and one of the Top CEOs on Glassdoor based on employee feedback. Additionally, he received the Padma Shri award in 2019, one of the highest civilian honors in India. In addition to his leadership in the tech industry, Mr. Narayen is vice chairman of the United States-India Strategic Partnership Forum. I am grateful for his service, his vision, and his commitment to San Jose and the United States' technological leadership. I congratulate Shantanu Narayen on 18 remarkable years at the helm of Adobe, and I wish him continued success as he begins this next chapter.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Mary Chan Seid, who devoted her life to advancing justice and equality in the Bay Area and beyond. Mary was born in Walnut Grove, California, on September 3, 1936, to What Lum Chan and Anna Louie. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. Together with her husband of 67 years, Allan Seid, Mary helped found Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI), a non-profit group which has worked for decades to serve the health and well-being of marginalized Asian American communities. She served AACI in multiple leadership roles, and in 1981, Mary and Allan formed a statewide group, Asian Pacific American Advocates of California. This organization expanded nationwide in 1986 to become Asian Pacific American Advocates, USA--National Alliance with representatives in 34 states. Mrs. Seid also played a key role in removing racial and gender bias from California public school textbooks and taught Asian American studies at local universities. In addition, Mary led efforts in 1990 to establish a safe house for women and children fleeing abuse and was a founding member of the Santa Clara County Domestic Violence Commission in 1993. Mrs. Seid's advocacy earned numerous honors, including Santa Clara County Woman of the Year, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Avenidas, and the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce's Tall Tree Award for Outstanding Citizen Volunteer. Mary and Allan had three children, Arline, Marcine, and Marc, and nine grandchildren. I have known Mary and Allan since 1980, and I will greatly miss her joy, her humor, and her compassion. Mary's love for her neighbors will always be remembered, and her impact will live on in the communities she dedicated her life to serving.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Andrew ``Andy'' D'Arrigo, whose vision, leadership, and dedication to agriculture helped shape the Salinas Valley into the agricultural heart of our Nation. His passing marks the loss of one of California's most respected agricultural leaders, whose influence will endure for generations. Following his service in the United States Navy during World War II and graduation from the University of California, Davis, Andrew ``Andy'' D'Arrigo returned to D'Arrigo Bros. Company. As President of D'Arrigo Bros. Company of California, he led the business by transforming it into one of the world's premier grower-shippers of fresh produce. His leadership created thousands of jobs, strengthened the regional economy, and elevated California agriculture on the global stage. Andrew ``Andy'' D'Arrigo believed that strong communities are essential to a thriving agricultural industry. Through the Andrew and Phyllis D'Arrigo Charitable Foundation and his personal philanthropy, he supported healthcare, education, youth development, and community organizations throughout Monterey County, helping improve the lives of countless families and reinforcing the strength of the Salinas Valley. Mr. Speaker, Andrew ``Andy'' D'Arrigo leaves behind an extraordinay legacy of agricultural innovation, economic leadership, and community service. His life's work strengthened the Salinas Valley, advanced California agriculture, and demonstrated the lasting impact of visionary leadership rooted in service to others. Therefore, it is with profound respect that I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of Andrew ``Andy'' D'Arrigo. On behalf of the people of California's 18th Congressional District, I extend our deepest condolences to the D'Arrigo family and celebrate a life whose enduring contributions will remain integral to the Salinas Valley's agricultural heritage and community for generations to come.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Sunny Dianne Claggett, an accomplished executive and leader in San Jose. Ms. Claggett was born in Abilene, Kansas on August 28, 1945, to Maryanne Fuller Robertson and Rees Stewart Robertson. In 1978, she graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas. Throughout her professional career, Ms. Claggett was widely respected as a premier organizational development consultant at CBIZ, providing advice and executive coaching to countless groups, including Fortune 500 companies. Her guidance helped to shape many careers and assist organizations through their most challenging times. In addition to being a Vice President at CBIZ, Ms. Claggett founded and led the San Jose Chamber of Commerce's Community Leadership Program. She also dedicated much of her time to the American Musical Theatre of San Jose, the YMCA, and CreaTV. In 1986, she married William Ernest Claggett. She was a mother to Jerilayne and a stepmother to Peter and Hillary. Sunny and William had five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. I will miss her greatly, as will our entire community. Sunny was a generous, smart, and insightful person who mentored others. She cared about her community and was one of the kindest people I have ever met. Sunny Claggett's impact lives on in the countless people she coached and the community she loved so much. Her legacy of leadership and kindness will always be remembered.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the Gilroy Garlic Festival, a beloved annual tradition in Santa Clara County dating back to 1979. Drawing thousands of visitors from across the country, this three-day festival has raised millions of dollars for local schools and charities. With everything from garlic fries to garlic ice cream, the Gilroy Garlic Festival reminds people every year why Gilroy is the Garlic Capital of the World. In fact, over half of America's garlic is now grown around Gilroy and 90 percent of the country's garlic harvest is processed here. This cherished event is thanks in large part to the Christopher Family, who made the long journey from Denmark to America in the 1890s. After hearing tale of the Santa Clara Valley's dark, fertile soil and Mediterranean climate, they knew this land would be where they would settle. In 1979, Donald Christopher co-founded the Gilroy Garlic Festival, with an estimated 15,000 people showing up to the two-day event, about triple the number they expected. By the 1980s, there were more than 100,000 ticket buyers. Today, the legacy of Don Christopher is carried on by his family, including his son, Bill, and grandsons, Ken and Jason. Thanks to their hard work, the Gilroy Garlic Festival remains a critical part of Gilroy's identity and a moment that families look forward to year after year. The festival also could not take place without the help of thousands of volunteers. We thank them for their help, and we honor the Christopher family for their long service to our community.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Chair, today I will vote for the bipartisan Amendment No. 8 offered by Representative Massie to prevent the United States from sending an additional $3.3 billion in foreign military financing to Israel. I support Israel's sovereignty. I support funding for defensive systems such as the Iron Dome. I support a two-state- solution with a sovereign Palestinian state. However, I cannot send $3.3 billion more to Benjamin Netanyahu's government. It is worth noting that Netanyahu himself has indicated that Israel has sufficient resources so that his country no longer needs to rely on the United States for financial aid.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the gentleman from California, the Honorable James Gallagher, be permitted to take the oath of office today. His certificate of election has not arrived, but there is no contest and no question has been raised with regard to his election.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, we welcome a new Member of the California congressional delegation to our ranks. On June 2, James Gallagher was duly elected in a special election to fill the remainder of the term vacated by our friend and former colleague, the beloved late Doug LaMalfa. Doug was passionate about his commitment to the people of northern California and advocating for rural Californians, a passion that I am sure is shared by Representative Gallagher. As chair of the Democratic congressional delegation, it is my honor to welcome you to the largest delegation in Congress, representing the greatest State in the Union. We look forward to working with you to advocate on behalf of Californians here in Washington, D.C. Mr. Speaker, I yield to my friend, Mr. Calvert, dean of the Republican delegation from California.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 150th Anniversary of the Lick Observatory. In 1876, the United States Congress granted public land to the University of California for the purpose of establishing an observatory. Califolnia's wealthiest citizen of the time, real estate entrepreneur James Lick bestowed $700,000 to the University of California's astronomy department. With an investment equivalent to $1.2 billion in contemporary value, James Lick created a legacy of scientific research and advancement. The Lick Observatory has been a bastion of groundbreaking discoveries in astronomy since its completion in 1888. The Great Refractor, the site's famous 36-inch diameter telescope, was instrumental to E.E. Barnard's discovery of Jupiter's fifth moon, Amalthea. Another instrument, the 20-inch Double Astrograph, was used to chart skies and count distant galaxies. The Lick Northern Proper Motion program measure systematic patterns in the Milky Way Galaxy. Through the decades, the Lick Observatory has freely shared its research with international academic institutions and the surrounding Bay Area community. It serves as an experimentation site for technical instrument improvement. They organize programs like the Scientific Teaching through Astronomy Research (STARs) and Institute for Scientist and Engineer Educators (ISEE) that advance STEM education and careers. Its summer visitor's program hosts lectures and viewings for thousands of visitors to observe the universe through cutting edge technology. In its 150-year history, the Lick Observatory has survived challenges to its instruments' longevity and the observatory's ability to offer hands-on programs. The site survived a plane crash, earthquake damage, and wildfire destruction. On Christmas morning, a rainstorm destroyed half of the Great Refractor's shutter dome. Time and time again, the Observatory has rebuilt. I want to recognize the 29 dedicated individuals who spent their holidays working on recovery efforts for the site. Their hard work represents how beloved the Lick Observatory is to the community. I wish to congratulate the Lick Observatory for 150 years of outstanding scientific contributions and meaningful community building in the Bay Area. Spanning generations of Californians, the Lick Observatory inspires exploration in astronomy and engages the innovative curiosity of the community.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to reauthorizing FISA section 702 without meaningful reform. At a time when the Trump administration is building a sweeping surveillance apparatus, trampling civil rights, and disregarding the rule of law, Congress should be strengthening oversight, not rubberstamping warrantless surveillance. If the government wants to search an American's private communications, it must get a warrant. That is what the Constitution requires, and it is what the American people demand. Once again, our Speaker is trying to block debate and deny a vote on a warrant requirement. Instead, we are trying to jam through another extension of warrantless surveillance without meaningful reforms. I have opposed this abuse under both Republican and Democratic administrations, and I oppose it today. Congress should reject this bill and take up meaningful reform, including my bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act, introduced with Representative Davidson, along with Senator Wyden and Senator Lee in the other body. We do not have to choose between national security and constitutional rights. That is a false choice. We can protect the country and protect Americans' constitutional right to privacy. Congress should do both. Mr. Speaker, oppose this bill so we can get meaningful reform.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my colleagues Representative Ro Khanna. Representative Jimmy Panetta, and Representative Sam Liccardo representing Santa Clara County, I rise to honor the life and legacy of Rod Diridon, Sr. of San Jose, California, a devoted public servant whose impact on the Santa Clara Valley will last for generations. Mr. Diridon was born and raised in northern California before attending San Jose State University. He later attended Naval Officer Candidate School and served two combat tours in Vietnam. Following his military service, Diridon returned to California and was elected in 1973 as the youngest-ever member of the Saratoga City Council. From 1975 to 1995, he served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, including six terms as Chair. Even after his career in public service, Mr. Diridon remained committed to improving the quality of life for others through transportation and regional planning. He chaired the American Public Transit Association (APTA) in 1992, and Governor Gray Davis appointed Mr. Diridon to the California High Speed Rail Authority in 2000. Mr. Diridon's work emphasized sustainability, regional cooperation, and the importance of accessible public transportation in everyday life. Working closely with the Honorable Norman Mineta through the Norman Mineta Transit Institute, Mr. Diridon led the institute and helped advance a shared vision for modern, integrated transit systems such as light rail development, Caltrain improvements, and the expansion of BART into Silicon Valley. Under his leadership, he was able to work with both the U.S. Department of Transportation and California Department of Transportation to identify research priorities on transit system security, transportation financing, and land use policies related to transportation. Mr. Diridon's vision consistently highlighted the connection between transportation, environmental responsibility, and connecting community. He was also deeply rooted in family life, which remained an important part of his personal and professional journey. The son of Italian immigrants, Mr. Diridon was married to Dr. Gloria Duffy, a national leader in public policy. He was the father of two children, Rod Jr. and Mary Margaret, and a grandfather of four. His family shares and carries the same commitment to civic engagement that defined his life and career. Rod Diridon, Sr. helped bridge generations of leadership and redefine how communities approach mobility and growth. His forward-thinking vision and dedication to public service have and continue to leave a lasting impact on the region and beyond. His legacy of leadership, innovation, and commitment to the public good will be remembered with deep gratitude.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 3971, a reauthorization of the SBIR and STTR Programs. For more than 40 years, and Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), and later its companion program the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR), have been contributing to U.S. leadership in technological innovation through support for small business research and development. I have had a front-row seat to the explosive growth of entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley over my lifetime. I understand well the importance of innovative small businesses to our local economy and to the U.S. economy. I also understand the challenges these businesses face accessing capital. The SBIR program has long been called ``America's Seed Fund'' because they invest in small businesses at the higher-risk early stages before private capital is willing to invest. I also recognize that every agency has a different mission, and tailors their SBIR program accordingly. While that diversity in missions was an undercurrent in the negotiations, in the end we arrived at a good compromise that continues to support competition and innovation while giving the agencies necessary flexibility. Last fall, as these programs faced imminent closure, the House sent the Senate a one-year, simple extension to keep the programs open to small businesses as the parties continued to negotiate. Unfortunately, there was not unanimity in the Senate to keep supporting small businesses across the country as we continued to negotiate some policy changes, The 6-month halt in the program has had real consequences for businesses and their employees, for innovation, and even for clinical trials and their patients. All of that was avoidable. Fortunately, we are here today with a very good bill that provides new forms of support and resources for innovative small businesses, increases access and competition, and strengthens guardrails. I am especially pleased that the bill authorizes the programs through fiscal year 2031. Small businesses need certainty that the funding will be available, and agencies need certainty to manage the program efficiently. I thank Small Business Committee Chairman Williams and Ranking Member Velazquez and Science Committee Chairman Babin, for their partnership in getting this done. I thank all of the committee staff for their hard work and patience through these months of negotiations. And I thank our partners in the Senate for continuing to work with us to find a path forward. I strongly urge all of my colleagues to support S. 3971 without delay.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Steven Adams and to commend him on the occasion of his retirement as City Manager of King City, California, following more than forty-three years of distinguished public service. Mr. Adams has devoted his professional life to the service of others, exemplifying the highest traditions of public administration. Over the course of his career, he has served with distinction in leadership roles for the City of Glendale, the City of Westlake Village, and for more than fourteen years as City Manager of the City of Arroyo Grande, before bringing his considerable experience to King City upon his appointment as City Manager in 2015. During his tenure in King City, Mr. Adams provided steadfast and principled leadership at a time of significant challenge and opportunity. Through his guidance, the City restored confidence in its public institutions, strengthened its police department, and achieved fiscal stability. His careful stewardship eliminated a five-million- dollar negative fund balance and established prudent financial reserves to ensure the City's long-term well-being. Under his leadership, King City advanced important initiatives that have strengthened the fabric of the community. These efforts included implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End Youth Violence, revitalization of the historic downtown, expansion of community programs and public spaces, and the completion of major infrastructure and transit improvements. In addition, through his diligent advocacy and collaboration, King City successfully secured in excess of one hundred million dollars in federal and state funding to support housing, public safety, and economic development. Mr. Adams's service has extended beyond the responsibilities of his office. Through active participation in local service organizations and regional partnerships throughout the Salinas Valley, he fostered cooperation, strengthened civic engagement, and advanced opportunities for residents across the community. Mr. Speaker, Steven Adams's record reflects a career marked by integrity, professionalism, and an abiding commitment to public service. His decade of service as City Manager of King City, together with more than four decades in public administration, has left a lasting and positive legacy. On behalf of the residents of California's 18th Congressional District, I extend sincere appreciation to Steven Adams for his dedicated service and convey best wishes to him and his family as he enters a well-earned retirement.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, while I am supportive of provisions in the minibus that would fund the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, especially those pertaining to healthcare, I cannot in good conscience endorse a spending bill that continues to explode our Defense budget. President Trump has already shown that he is willing to use the military against American citizens. He is also pursuing foreign entanglements around the globe, and I will not write him a blank check to potentially invade other countries or pit America's military against our allies. Ms. McCollum. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 7148, the FY2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Due to the perseverance of my Democratic colleagues, the legislation before us today protects funding for Democratic priorities, reasserts Congress's power of the purse, and rejects Republicans' poison pill riders. In the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS-Ed) appropriations bill, Democrats secured big wins for our public health, our workforce, and our communities. This bill provides a $400 million increase to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a $1.7 billion increase to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and a $364 million increase to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), rebuking the deep cuts made to these agencies in the Republican House bill. These dollars mean that the United States will continue to provide the world with cutting edge medical research, accurate data for health guidance and disease prevention, and support services for those who are struggling with their mental health or substance use. It restores funding to several programs that were eliminated by President Trump and House Republicans, including: Firearm Injury and Mortality Prevention Research, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, and valuable Title X Family Planning funding. This bill increases funding for Special Education, protects the Pell Grant, and saves the Institute of Museum and Library Science from closing. It increases funding to Head Start, LIHEAP, and the Social Security Administration, ensuring that from beginning to end, Americans have the best chance at success from preschool to post-retirement. The fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development bill, which provides necessary funding to house our neighbors and build more affordable housing. The agreement safeguards the Continuum of Care program--a federal program that fosters a community-wide commitment to ending homelessness--from Trump administration attacks ensuring that members of our community are not evicted by President Trump. The agreement also rejects the President's proposal to end the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. This is the sole federal program that helps communities build more affordable housing for rent and ownership. Further, Division C of this package funds the Department of Transportation. The bill would ensure that the Federal Aviation Administration can hire 2,500 new air traffic controller trainees to keep our skies safe. While I have already spoken on the House floor in support of this package, I would like to highlight a few provisions of the fiscal year 2026 Defense Appropriations agreement that I helped negotiate. The bill includes several important provisions that support military personnel and their families, including a well-deserved 3.8 percent pay increase for our troops. Medical research programs received an increase in funding that will help support lifesaving treatments for cancer, disease, and service-related injuries to benefit our service members and civilians alike. I am pleased that the bill does not include additional funding to cover the President's illegal strikes in the Caribbean and Venezuela. More needs to be done to reign in President Trump's military interventions. Finally, the bill reaffirms the ironclad support in Congress for the NATO alliance and all of its 32 member states, including Denmark. I am disappointed that we were unable to include stronger language making it clear that President Trump needs to keep his hands off Greenland. The future of Greenland is up to its people, and the Kingdom of Denmark, not the President of the United States. While these bills were not in the shape that I would have preferred, I am thankful that we were able to come together in a bipartisan manner to protect the American people from President Trump's most divisive cuts. I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan agreement.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, there is mourning across the aisle and across the State of California. I chair the California Democratic delegation, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of Doug LaMalfa. It was a pleasure to serve with Doug since his election in 2013. He was a man who cared so deeply for the communities that he represented in California's First District. As has been said, he is a fourth-generation rice farmer. He was one of the strongest voices in this body for rural America because he knew firsthand the struggles that our agricultural sectors were facing. He and I worked very closely together on the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act which would provide stabilization for farmworkers, farmers, and the ag sector, and he added so much because he really knew how farming worked and what would work and what wouldn't work, and he was a collaborator. We also introduced together the bipartisan Utility Resilience and Reliability Act that really was commonsense safety standards to minimize power outages. Now, Doug and I didn't agree on everything. I am a proud Democrat. He was a proud Republican, but he was always approachable, and he was a colleague with whom you could disagree without being disagreeable. It is a quality that Members should strive to emulate here. He was a good man, friendly, with a sense of humor, a gentle giant. Our deepest condolences are with his wife, Jill; their children; and his staff. It always hurts to lose a friend and a colleague, but I know that Doug's legacy will be remembered by all of us and the Californians he so proudly served and served with.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, we are heartbroken at the news that we have lost Doug LaMalfa. We served with him so proudly and got to know him as a friend, someone who you could disagree with without being disagreeable. We loved him dearly, and I value personally the chance I had to work with Doug and many others on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The insight that he had on that as a long-term rice farmer was just incalculable. I value the moment that he came and brought me a little bag of rice that he had grown himself. We are in shock, and I would just like to add that our condolences go to the family as has been expressed so well. All of us are heartbroken at this terrible news.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the public service of Rinban Gerald Sakamoto of San Jose, California, who has served the Buddhist church and community in San Jose for four decades. Mr. Sakamoto began his ministry journey in Hawaii, where he received his degree with an emphasis on Buddhism while working alongside ministers at the Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin. Mr. Sakamoto then later moved to Kyoto where he completed his Tokudo ordination and training to become a minister for the Buddhist church. Since Mr. Sakamoto's appointment to the San Jose Buddhist Church, he has been an active member of his community through youth outreach, Scouting programs, and community involvement. For many years, Mr. Sakamoto has led the opening and closing prayer at the Bon Odori dances that happen annually at the San Jose Odori Festival. His teachings have emphasized compassion, interdependence, and the relevance of Buddhist values in daily life, using accessible metaphors such as the difference between square and round tables to illustrate spiritual concepts. Sakamoto's Dharma messages explore themes like birth and death, and the importance of relationships with others, with our ancestors, and with the world around us. His inclusive and thoughtful style bridges tradition and modern life, making Buddhist teachings approachable for people of all ages. Rinban Gerald Sakamoto has helped bridge generations and make Buddhist teachings accessible to all. His thoughtful messages and inclusive leadership continue to leave a lasting impact on his temple and his community. As he approaches retirement, his legacy of service, compassion, and connection will be remembered with deep gratitude.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 5100, a bill that I cosponsored along with the Chair of the Science Committee, Representative Babin, and the Chair and Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee, Representatives Williams and Velazquez. Like my colleagues, I am a strong supporter of the SBIR and STTR programs and it is my priority to see these programs continue without disruption. For more than 40 years, and Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIFR), and later its companion program the Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR), have been contributing to U.S. leadership in technological innovation through support for small business research and development. My home state of California has long been one of the Nation's leading states for science and technology. Because of our rich and diverse culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, our small companies--across sectors--have successfully competed for SBIR/STTR funds since the programs' inception. In 2022, California companies won a total of $887 million in SBIR/STTR awards. I celebrate the success of California's small businesses. But more importantly, I celebrate the return on investment (ROI) that benefits the entire Nation. While estimates vary depending on the scope and methodology of each study, the studies I have seen report a ROI of at least 10:1. That is a remarkable win for the taxpayer for a relatively small investment. While the Small Business Administration administers the overall program, it is the science agencies themselves that solicit and fund SBIR/STTR award proposals. As the Ranking Member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I am familiar with the diversity of our Federal scientific enterprise and the vast differences in missions and needs across our science agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD). So, it is no surprise to me that over the lifetime of the SBIR/ STTR programs, each agency has evolved the particulars of their individual programs to align with their specific needs. That also applies to how they approach risk assessment in their due diligence programs. While clear, standard definitions are an important goal that I share, an agency like NSF is rightfully going to assess and mitigate risk differently than an agency like DOD. It is with that context in mind that I have serious concerns about the INNOVATE Act as currently proposed by the Chairs of the House and Senate Small Business Committees. Even DOD itself has flagged significant concerns. I do support a long-term comprehensive reauthorization of the program, and I am committed to taking a serious look at where the program has challenges and needs good governance updates. I am also committed to discussing the opportunities to continue to strengthen the outcomes of the program, including by doing more to attract new entrants across the Nation. I have instructed my staff accordingly and they have been at the table for more than a month negotiating in good faith with staff from the other committees. However, we remain far apart on certain key issues and simply need more time to work through them. At the moment, we don't even have agreement on the fundamentals. What I do not accept is a repeat of the 2022 process, in which one corner out of six effectively dictated the process and rammed through a bill that narrowly reflected only their priorities and completely omitted Science Committee priorities, among others. That is why I am encouraging all of my colleagues, in the House and the Senate, to support a clean one-year reauthorization of the SBIR/ STTR programs. We must be allowed time to engage in the kind of thoughtful deliberation and debate that the public and the stakeholders expect from us before we enact monumental changes to a program that has been an undisputed success for more than 40 years.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Chair, Representative Moolenaar's amendment No. 26, entitled the SAFE Research Act, would enact excessive prohibitions for research awards that would stymie American innovation. In particular, the amendment would introduce a government-wide prohibition to give awards to individuals if they, or a research collaborator, have been affiliated with a hostile foreign entity at any time within five years of applying for the award. The definitions of who is included a ``hostile foreign entity'' is very far reaching and includes twelve separate entity lists as well as any entity performing academic, scientific, or technical collaboration perceived to contribute to nefarious activity. For an agency to implement this prohibition, they would have to analyze a personal history of every awardee, along with every research collaborator (defined by joint research, coauthored publications, collaboration on awards, and formal mentor relationships) that awardee has had in the past five years. Furthermore, the amendment restricts post-award activity, prohibiting covered individuals from sharing ``expertise'' with ``hostile foreign entities,'' or those affiliated with them, for five years. This is vague, onerous, and impracticable. Simply from an implementation standpoint, it is highly difficult for any research agency, nonetheless one that has had its staff gutted, to properly carry out these proposed policies.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1766, The NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, is a critical agency within the Department of Commerce that works across the Federal government to develop telecommunications and information policy. Congress should support this agency and give it the resources and authorities it needs to fulfill its current mission. However, this bill would waste taxpayer dollars by unnecessarily duplicating activities already authorized by Congress. The NTIA was originally part of its sister agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Since Congress established NTIA as its own agency in 1978, the two agencies have carried out complementary but distinct areas of work. NIST serves as an independent, unbiased arbiter of trusted measurements and standards while NTIA has its regulatory responsibilities. These two agencies often work together, unfortunately this bill would swell NTIA's mission into a cybersecurity role to which it does not possess the appropriate experience or expertise and blur the lines between the agencies, especially on issues related to cybersecurity. For example, Congress authorized NIST, in collaboration with CISA, to conduct a cybersecurity activity related to the internet and communications networks in the Cybersecurity Enhancements Act of 2014, the CHIPS and Science Act of 2020, the HACKED Act of 2021, and more. H.R. 1766 would directly duplicate, at NTIA, those ongoing efforts underway at NIST. There is also a provision in the bill that implicates agencies outside of the Department of Commerce by duplicating the Department of Homeland Security's information technology supply chain security programs. This Act was included as part of a broader NTIA Reauthorization that was considered in the 118th Congress. At the time, the Department of Commerce weighed in requesting significant changes to the provision that are unfortunately not included in the Act we will consider today. As such, this bill merits further vetting and input from the Department of Commerce. This bill needs to be changed to address these concerns. Until that happens I must regretfully oppose this legislation in its current form.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I have spoken publicly against this bill and its serious health care cuts. You can't pull a trillion dollars out of the health care system and expect health care providers to survive. Clinics, hospitals and nursing homes won't survive the massive pull out of funds. That kind of blow doesn't just show up on a balance sheet, it shows up in real lives. It also means people kicked off their coverage, parents forced to choose between paying rent or filling a prescription for their child, seniors skipping doctor visits or going without medication. And it means hospitals and community clinics closing their doors, leaving patients without care. These aren't just numbers, these are people, and this bill turns its back on them. I grew up in a regular, hard-working household. Neither of my parents went to college. They worked hard, but they didn't have the money to send me to college. I was fortunate; fortunate to earn scholarships, to get student loans, to work while in school and to be able to chart a path toward. But the opportunities that helped me are stripped away for the next generation in this bill. With cuts to federal student aid and Pell Grant programs, the opportunity I had will be gone for those in the normal kind of family I grew up in if this bill becomes law. The cuts to nutrition assistance in this bill are cruel. They will leave children hungry and seniors skipping meals because they can't afford food. And it doesn't end there, local farmers who sell agricultural products to those programs will lose an important market. Here's the broader picture: this legislation borrows over $3 trillion to pay for tax breaks that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans. It's fiscally reckless and morally indefensible. But there's something else we haven't talked about enough, and it demands our attention. Donald Trump said he would deport violent criminals. People were okay with that. Now we see instead something far more disturbing: masked, heavily-armed agents, often refusing to identify themselves, aggressively, sometimes violently, targeting day laborers, busboys, farmworkers, and some of the hardest-working people in this country. Not dangerous criminals, but the people who pick the food we eat and clean the tables we sit at. These raids are terrorizing communities and sowing fear in public spaces across America: in schools, at shopping centers, at grocery stores, at job sites. This bill would supercharge those operations, handing them more funding than most foreign militaries, with even fewer restraints. This is not the America I grew up in, and it's not the America I want to leave to my grandchildren. We can and must do better. For our economy, for our communities, and for the values we claim to stand for.

Ms. LOFGREN

Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I oppose the Kim resolution. Now, had it just condemned violence and thanked the National Guard and the Marines, who did not ask for this assignment, I think we would all be on board. Instead, the resolution really is engaging in partisan games with misleading and inflammatory provisions. Trump said he was going to go arrest and deport violent criminals. People are okay with that. Instead, armed, masked ICE agents, some refusing to identify themselves, aggressively, and in some cases even violently, took down day workers at Home Depot, busboys, gardeners, and a union leader, and regular people in Los Angeles objected to that. Then, as the First Amendment provides, they peacefully protested against it. Unfortunately, there were some hooligans and rowdies who infiltrated that group, and they committed violent acts and vandalism. For that, they should be prosecuted. They should be brought to justice and condemned, which we do. However, the resolution really creates a misleading picture of what happened. On the first page, it says: ``Whereas these protests quickly escalated into violent riots across Los Angeles, where acts of arson, widespread looting, property destruction . . . lighting streets on fire. . . . '' The fact is that these demonstrations were largely confined to about a 10-block area in downtown Los Angeles. The police, LAPD, had the situation under control. There is an elaborate system of mutual aid in California, and had they needed additional forces, it was readily available under mutual aid. I will point out to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, in case they need a reminder, L.A. County is 4,060 square miles, not the 10 blocks. When President Trump deployed the Marines and National Guard in L.A., it was not at the request of local officials, the chief of police, or the Governor. It was unprecedented, unnecessary, and a clear attempt to take over the State's law enforcement authority. In fact, I think it did aggravate tensions in the area. Now, the National Guard remains in Los Angeles to this day. They have nothing to do. We heard a report from a former commander that less than 20 percent are doing anything and they have been taken away from jobs where they were needed; for example, helping in efforts of forest fire prevention and the like. As the elected chair of the California Democrat delegation, I was proud to join my colleague (Ms. Barragan) in introducing a resolution that, unlike this one, is based in fact. Our resolution condemns the President's authoritarian response to First Amendment expressions of dissent, unlike the Kim resolution. It expresses support for law enforcement and for the National Guard and for the Marines, and it condemns violence by those who committed it. Now, why is this important? In the resolution, it is so partisan. It says: ``Whereas California's leadership has prioritized protecting illegal immigrants and violent individuals over United States citizens.'' That is absurd. That is insulting to our elected officials, but it is right in keeping with what the President has said. He has indicated publicly that he intends to target cities and States that are democratically elected, that have Democrats elected in government. What a strange thing to say. The executive order that nationalized the California National Guard applies to anywhere in the United States. It is not just L.A. It is not just California. I think this resolution really, as false as it is, is serving as a predicate, as a foundation for the military to be used in places all over the United States on any pretext, so that the military can go in and assume civilian authority away from those who are democratically elected. That is why it is important that we do not approve this resolution with its false whereases, and that we do not participate in a scheme to replace the democratically elected officials in cities and counties and States across the United States. I will just end with this: Who should we be more concerned about? What should we be more afraid of: the gardeners that are being arrested by ICE, the busboys, the farmworkers, or the concept that the administration may be taking the steps to replace, with the military, civil authority that has been duly elected around the United States?