Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank Speaker Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, Whip Clyburn, Chairman Nadler, and all my distinguished colleagues for their work to ensure the House passed legislation to protect voting rights. It is time for the Senate to do the same. We have seen an uptick in voter suppression efforts across our nation to undercut the representation of communities of color, specifically African Americans. With historic levels of voter turnout in recent elections, our Republican colleagues have interpreted this increased participation in civic life as a threat and campaigned to disenfranchise Black voters under the guise of protecting against ``voter fraud.'' Sadly, voter suppression efforts are not new to African American communities. I remember growing up in El Paso, Texas when the poll tax was still being collected. We have endured decades of abuse by political parties and election officials seeking to deny us our constitutional right to vote. Therefore, it is urgent that the Senate pass The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This critical legislation would restore Section 5 and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racially discriminatory changes to the voting process and restrictions to the right to vote. Lastly, I'd just like to say that the world is watching us. As Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and having served as an election observer in other countries, I know the importance of a free and fair election and how it strengthens a democracy. Across the country we are witnessing a coordinated assault on the integrity of our electoral process. We need to live up to our own ideals to stand as an example for other countries to follow. The Senate must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It will strengthen our democracy and give us the tools to fight voter suppression.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a bill that includes new efforts to address lead contamination on our drinking water. I thank Chairman Pallone for his leadership on this issue. None of us wants delay in repairing our water infrastructure and I know that all of us want to ensure that our families are protected as soon as possible.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. Res. 760, but let me just say I, too, support the basic rights of the Cuban people, the basic human rights of the Cuban people. As an African American who has engaged in many protests for justice, I know the impact of keeping government and police forces from interfering in our actions for our basic rights. We should not excuse the Cuban Government for limiting their own people's freedom and opportunity. But let me just say: Here in Congress, we need to also take a hard look at the failed U.S. policy that has not helped the Cuban people and too often inflicted harm on them. They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Well, for 60 years we have been squeezing the Cuban people thinking that if we starve them just enough it will somehow lead to democracy. So it is long overdue to support policies that truly help the Cuban people. The Obama administration showed us that we can take a new approach. That is through engagement, diplomacy, trade, travel, and, yes, support for human rights for the Cuban people. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to oppose this resolution on the suspension calendar today and we should have an honest debate about a new Cuban policy that talks about and supports what real human rights for the Cuban people mean.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Wenefrett Watson on her 100th birthday, and honor her decades of service in our East Bay community. Mrs. Watson was born in Marshall, Texas on October 29, 1921, to Dr. Oliver Wendell Phillips and Mayme Cecelia Adam Phillips. She completed two bachelor's degrees during her undergraduate studies, one in English Literature from Bishop College and one in Library Sciences from the University of Southern California. She worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., where she met her husband, Dr. James A. Watson. The Watsons relocated to Oakland, California in the 1950s, where Mrs. Watson became active in the Oakland public schools. Mrs. Watson has been an important civic leader in our Oakland community. She was involved in many local organizations, including the Oakland Museum Commission, the Oakland Symphony Board, and the Oakland Anti-Poverty Board. Mrs. Watson's civil involvement is also notable, including her work with the PTA in the Oakland schools, and later with membership of the Oakland Bay Area Links, a volunteer service organization of women committed to ensuring the economic and cultural livelihoods of African Americans. She was also passionate about civil rights, and became active with the NAACP, the Urban League, and eventually ran for City Council. Mrs. Watson is a trailblazer in the Oakland business community, as a business owner and entrepreneur. She created and managed WenTravel and Cruise travel agency in the 1980s, holding contracts with the City of Oakland, County of Alameda, and the State of California. Mrs. Watson's work was exceptionally impactful as she offered young African American business owners' opportunities to follow in her footsteps. When she retired, she sought inspired and passionate young African American entrepreneurs who would carry on her business and her work in our Oakland community. Mrs. Watson remained active after retirement, inspiring other community leaders through her work in helping to start the Black Film Makers Hall of Fame. In 1997, she was honored by the Black Business Listings for her outreach and leadership. Today, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I commend Mrs. Wenefrett Watson for her lifelong work as a leader, activist, and entrepreneur, and warmly wish her a happy 100th birthday.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank Chair DeLauro for her tremendous leadership, as well as our Speaker, for ensuring that our government stays open and responds to key emergencies here at home and abroad. It is really a shame that we have to vote on this measure here today a second time with the end of the fiscal year looming because of the refusal of Senate Republicans to protect the full faith and credit of the Federal Treasury. Nonetheless, we must get this bill done and to the President's desk today. This bill contains crucial funding for my State in the West, our Western communities that have been so badly impacted by wildfires. In California, we are on the front lines of this climate emergency. This bill includes $28.6 billion to directly address the rising cost of climate change. Californians have lost homes, crops, livelihoods, and even lives because of the climate crisis. We need to get them this urgent help right away. As chair of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, I am really pleased that this legislation also includes over $6.3 billion to continue support for Afghan evacuees, refugees, and the growing humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. At least 18.4 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance due to the conflict, severe drought, and the COVID pandemic. President Biden was right to end our war in Afghanistan. Now we have a moral responsibility to provide safe harbor for vulnerable Afghans who fear for their lives, but to also provide humanitarian assistance to those suffering inside Afghanistan. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 3755. As co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I am a proud original cosponsor. I thank my good friend and Congresswoman, Judy Chu, for her persistent leadership, also Chairman Pallone and the Speaker for bringing it to the floor. Madam Speaker, make no mistake, people deserve the freedom to control their own bodies, lives, and futures. We must protect the right to access abortion and to ensure that it is available and affordable. Now, I remember the days of back alley, unsafe abortions. We cannot, and we will not, go back to those days. Passing this bill would provide a critical safeguard against attacks on reproductive freedom and ensure that abortions are accessible and available for all, which means also low-income women and people of color. This is our body. It is our choice.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, today, we will vote on my amendment, Lee 41, to the FY22 National Defense Authorization Act to reduce from this year's bill egregious Pentagon budget increases that were added during the committee markup. Our amendment will reduce no less than $25.5 billion from the bill, trimming back the total level of FY22 NDAA to no more than the amount requested by the President. I want to thank my cosponsors, starting with Congresswoman Jacobs, who was so kind to manage this amendment on the floor yesterday, for her tremendous leadership. I also thank my co-chair of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus, Mr. Pocan, as well as Ms. Ocasio-Cortez for working together to bring this amendment to the floor. I also thank Chairman Smith and Mr. McGovern for their support in helping to make this very important amendment in order. The President's budget request is one of the largest in American history. For years now, the United States has been peerless in its military spending, exceeding the total spending of the next 11 countries combined. We have numerous glaring examples of waste, fraud, and abuse within our defense establishment. Our 20-year experience in Afghanistan is a stark example where the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction identified billions of dollars--mind you, billions of dollars--wasted or outright stolen over our time there. The taxpayers deserve better. Yet, Congress insists on piling more money into the Pentagon than our military leaders even ask for, despite DOD routinely returning unspent balances to the Treasury. Enough is enough. Americans are demanding that Congress rebalance our priorities and invest in the biggest challenges America faces. We face imminent threats from the COVID pandemic, climate change, domestic terrorism, growing economic inequality, and systemic racial and ethnic inequities. While I personally support a much larger reduction in Pentagon spending, we need to draw the line somewhere. This amendment is a good place to start. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, to send the message that Congress won't endorse constant inflation of the Pentagon budget. Also, let me just cite amendment No. 40, offered again this year by Mr. Pocan and myself, for a 10 percent cut. I thank our colleague, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, for her bold leadership and for managing this amendment during the floor debate. Mr. Speaker, the House stands again poised to pour three-quarters of a trillion dollars into a defense establishment that is unauditable, unaccountable, and does little to answer the biggest threats to the safety and welfare of our people. The Pentagon is the only Federal department that has never passed an audit. I worked to get a requirement that DOD passes an audit written into permanent law a couple of years ago, with the help of Chairman Smith and my colleague, Dr. Burgess. Yet, still, the Pentagon says it won't be able to pass an audit for almost another decade. It is not hard to find places to cut at the Pentagon. Earlier this year, a bipartisan group of organizations identified $80 billion in savings that could be achieved just by implementing some efficiencies and eliminating obsolete weapons, weapons like Cold War-era bombs and missiles designed and built in the last century that are totally unsuited for the challenges of this century. We see tremendous costs of this runaway spending, not only in the missing priorities, like public health, that are left unfunded, but in a way of thinking that militarizes every single problem in our society and turns peaceful protesters into targets for weapons of war. Let me just say, this modest reduction that we are proposing, it won't compromise our national security, and it won't take a dollar from our troops. In fact, it will put more resources into enhancing the quality of life for our troops. It will also allow us to reinvest in healthcare, schools, and infrastructure. This amendment will be a first step in rebalancing our priorities to build a safe, peaceful, prosperous world at home and abroad. I urge my colleagues to join me and to vote ``yes'' on this amendment. Let's start shifting our budget back to things that matter for most of our people.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, on roll call vote 263, I was not present because I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yes'' on ordering the previous question on H. Res. 667.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5305. I thank Chairwoman DeLauro for her tremendous leadership in bringing this forward, as well as our Speaker for ensuring that our government stays open and responds to key emergencies here at home and abroad. I am especially pleased that this legislation responds to the needs of Western communities impacted by wildfires. My home State of California is experiencing the climate emergency firsthand. We have lost so many homes and lives and entire towns to wildfires over the last few years. It is a fact that climate change is driving these fires and extreme weather events. This bill includes $28.6 billion to directly address the rising cost of climate change. As President Biden has said, justice must be at the heart of our response. We need to ensure that as we rebuild, we focus on those bearing the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis, especially and particularly communities of color. As chair of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs of the Committee on Appropriations, I am pleased that this legislation includes over $6.3 billion to continue support for Afghan evacuees, refugees, and the growing humanitarian needs of the Afghan people. President Biden made a courageous decision to end two decades of war in Afghanistan. Many of us have argued for years that there is no military solution in Afghanistan and that the growing humanitarian crisis is further exposing the horrific cost of our endless wars.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, we not only have a moral responsibility to provide safe harbor for vulnerable Afghans who fear for their lives but also to provide humanitarian assistance to those suffering inside Afghanistan. At least 18.4 million people in Afghanistan require humanitarian assistance due to the conflict, severe drought, and the COVID pandemic. I ask for an ``aye'' vote.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler for yielding. I thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Whip Clyburn, and so many Members for their leadership in keeping our eyes on the prize. Now, the Supreme Court gutted critical protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Today, we are restoring that constitutional right that so many States are taking away from Black and Brown people, rural people, people of color--everyone. Sooner or later, it will be all of us who will be subject to these voter restrictions acts. So make no mistake, these are efforts to turn the clock back to the days of Jim Crow. That is not something I am imagining. Madam Speaker, I vividly remember, as one who was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. So I, too, salute our Texas legislators for their boldness in protecting the right to vote. H.R. 4 can restore these crucial protections that our beloved John Lewis and so many others fought for. John said that the right to vote is ``precious, almost sacred.'' In honor of his legacy as a paragon of democracy, let us vote to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. I thank Congresswoman Terri Sewell, G. K. Butterfield, our Speaker, everyone who has brought this bill to the floor.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 567, I call up the bill (H.R. 4373) making appropriations for the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro), our very distinguished chair who serves for the first time this year as the chair of the Appropriations Committee and has done a phenomenal job in helping us get this bill to the floor.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to amendments en bloc No. 2, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. This amendment includes changes to the bill that I believe would be counterproductive, and I ask my colleagues to oppose this amendment. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of amendments en bloc No. 3. Let me first thank my colleagues for raising these important issues. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Jacobs).

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am very proud, Mr. Speaker, to present the fiscal year 2022 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations bill for the first time as chairwoman of this critically important subcommittee. Indeed, it is an honor to be entrusted with the responsibility of managing the SFOPS bill which has been a key component of United States foreign policy since World War II. The resources provided in this bill are based on the fundamental generosity of the American people, but they also protect and advance our national security, economic prosperity, and global leadership. I commend the Biden-Harris administration and our chair, Rosa DeLauro, for recognizing the importance of the State and Foreign Operations budget, and I urge my colleagues to follow suit by supporting this bill. With unprecedented levels of human suffering and so many complicated challenges around the world, the bill rightfully increases funding for global health and the prevention of future pandemics and for migration, refugee, and disaster assistance, and continues our support for key allies and partner organizations such as the United Nations. These are just a few of many ways the SFOPS bill meets urgent humanitarian needs, many of which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID pandemic has caused significant economic and social harm. That is why the development investments in this bill are especially crucial as we strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, including eliminating extreme poverty, achieving an AIDS-free generation, and supporting efforts to build inclusive, equitable, and accountable societies for everyone. Now, let me address directly some of the questions I have heard about what the SFOPS bill does and does not include. To my friends who focus, as I do, on women's global health, the fiscal year 2022 SFOPS bill substantially increases funding for bilateral family planning for the first time in a decade to $760 million, which is an $185 million increase over last year. It also more than doubles our contribution to UNFPA to $70 million, which we know was completely cut off and politically scapegoated during the previous administration. Just as important, the bill does not include previous years' policy riders like the harmful Helms amendment and the global gag rule which only served to undercut our programs' effectiveness and ability to provide women, especially women of color, around the world with comprehensive healthcare. To our friends committed to fighting the climate crisis, this year's SFOPS bill provides a $1.6 billion contribution to the Green Climate Fund, which is the first direct appropriation that this House has provided for the fund. Along with an additional $1.4 billion for our other environmental programs, this bill invests $3 billion to combat the climate crisis which will help ensure that the United States resumes its leadership in this global fight and work in partnership with other countries. To my friends who have requested increased funding for our own hemisphere, this year's bill includes a 25 percent increase for the Caribbean, including $10 million in new funding for projects in the Caribbean to promote inclusive economic growth. The bill also includes $350 million more than last year for assistance to Central America, which is urgently needed in the Northern Triangle, to address the root causes of migration and to help combat corruption and impunity which are so endemic among local government officials. We all have met and are haunted by the experiences that migrants have conveyed to us despite all the odds about their dangerous journey across Mexico. We must do better so that the United States border is not their last and best hope for survival. That is why the House bill makes targeted investments in local communities through trusted NGOs while holding national governments accountable. The bill also provides critical support for vulnerable communities in Africa and upholds our abiding commitments to the security of our allies, such as Israel, Jordan, Ukraine, and Colombia. Many of our partners continue to struggle with growing economic challenges at home resulting from conflicts in their region, migration, and the impact of COVID-19. The SFOPS bill and report make clear our support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and we have increased assistance to the Palestinian people by $150 million over last year's bill and eased the burdensome requirements on the administration's ability to contribute to UNRWA. Crucially, and of great importance to me, the bill also helps ensure that our Nation's diplomatic and development workforce reflects the diversity of the American people by increasing funding and providing authority and guidance to equip the Secretary of State and USAID administrator to make meaningful progress in increasing diversity and inclusion in the Nation's international affairs workforce. Lastly, to my friends who passionately advocate for human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, I share your goals and your values. The SFOPS bill may not solve all of the world's problems, but it certainly makes new and significant gains on many different fronts. We include new oversight and accountability requirements on our security assistance which will better align such aid with our national security policy before it is provided, and we provide support to civil society leaders around the world who are making their communities and societies more equitable and inclusive. We also include $18 million for the Tibetan people. I especially want to thank our Speaker and good friend, Chairman McGovern, for their work on this issue. I have many more examples, but my time is limited. I will conclude by urging my colleagues to consider the very positive and considerable progress we have made in this year's SFOPS bill in reversing the devastating consequences from the last administration's foreign policy failures. Restoring American credibility and leadership on the world stage is no easy task, but this bill makes unequivocal commitments to diplomacy and development in addition to improving the lives and livelihoods of millions of people around the world. Mr. Speaker, I ask your support of the SFOPS bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), my good friend.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to respond to the gentleman from New Jersey and read a section of this bill. It says: ``None of the funds made available in this Act nor any unobligated balances from prior appropriations Acts may be made available to any organization or program which, as determined by the President of the United States, directly supports or participates in the management of a program of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization: Provided, That any determination made pursuant to this paragraph must be made not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, and must be accompanied by the evidence and criteria utilized to make the determination: Provided further, That none of the funds made available under this Act may be used to lobby for or against abortion.'' Finally, I will just say that Hart Research recently conducted a poll of Americans across the political spectrum and found that over 60 percent of the American public supports reproductive freedom for women. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Torres), who serves as a very valued member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee and has had tremendous input into this bill.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First of all, let me just say, in responding to Mr. Smith, it is really long overdue to stop partisan attempts to scapegoat and score political points over UNFPA. The fact remains that UNFPA vigorously opposes any and all coercive practices and only supports access to safe and voluntary family planning. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply false. Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the resources and programs in this bill which provide us the unique opportunity to restore America's global leadership that has been missing in recent years. Together we can address the greatest challenges facing the United States and provide vital support to the world's most vulnerable people. I want to take a minute to just thank our staffs on both sides of the aisle. As a former staffer, I know how these bills get put together, the length of time that they put in, and the real forthright and straight-up honest negotiations, given our differences. I think the bill is a very good bipartisan bill, and I think it is, in many respects, due to our staffs' relationships and their respect for each other. I specifically want to mention Craig Higgins and Erin Kolodjeski, Jason Wheelock, Jean Kwon, Marin Stein, Clelia Alvarado, Lacy Kilraine, Greg Adams, of course, in my office and Julie Nickson, Susan Adams, Jamie McCormick, John Muscolini, and all of the members of our staffs that haven't been mentioned, because I know a heck of a lot goes into this in terms of our support staff day and night and for their diligence and their brilliance and their respect for the process. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3473. I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. McHenry. Mr. Speaker, this year's State/Foreign Operations appropriations bill includes hundreds of billions of dollars in IMF giveaways to China, Russia, and state sponsors of terrorism. It's an abomination that the spending bill which funds our foreign policy priorities writes massive checks for America's adversaries. Under this legislation, the Treasury Department would be required to support an allocation of more than one-and-a half trillion Special Drawing Rights (SDR)--trillion with a T. These SDRs represent no- strings-attached liquidity that will be lavished on some of the worst regimes in the world. The Democrats' bill would send over $140 billion in hard currency to the Chinese government to use as it wishes. Russia would get its hands on nearly $60 billion. State sponsors of terrorism like Iran and Syria would find themselves with more than $17 billion in support that they can use to kill civilians and destabilize the world, while Venezuela and Belarus would receive billions more. Like last year, House Democrats have included these dollars for dictators in the base text of this bill so that it can't be struck. They're so ashamed of financing America's adversaries that they don't want to require their Members' votes on this issue to be public. Perhaps they suspect that their Members don't want billions in hard currency going to the Chinese Communist Party, Vladimir Putin, and the ayatollahs. There are responsible ways to help the world address the COVID-19 pandemic without showering billions on genocidal regimes and other human rights abusers--this is not it.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 567, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro) to offer amendments en bloc.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning).