Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler for yielding and for his tremendous leadership. Also, I want to thank Congresswomen Chu and Jayapal for their tremendous and steady leadership and strong support of H.R. 2214, the NO BAN Act. This important legislation would end the Muslim ban and prohibit discrimination and migration on the basis of religion and national origin. Let me be clear. This is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation not only for Muslims but for our country's values. Our Nation was founded by, shaped by, and continues to be influenced by our immigrant communities who contribute so much to this country. Equating Muslims with terrorists is against our values as a nation. It is despicable. Make no mistake, the NO BAN Act would help ensure that this kind of discrimination ceases, prevents future such discrimination, and promotes our core values of religious freedom. Madam Speaker, we cannot allow President Trump's White nationalist agenda to continue. We must ensure that our country is open to everyone, not just those whom Trump deems acceptable. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the gentleman for yielding and for his tremendous leadership and constantly reminding us of the accurate accounting of the United States' history. Also, I thank our Speaker; our majority leader; our whip, Mr. Clyburn; Chairwoman Bass; Chairman Bennie Thompson; and, of course, Congressman Butterfield for moving this legislation forward with the urgency that it requires. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7573, which would remove shameful reminders of slavery and segregation from the United States Capitol. Now, in 2017, in the wake of the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, I introduced the Confederate Monument Removal Act to remove all statues of people who voluntarily served the Confederacy from the Capitol building. So, thank you for including this in this current bill. Venerating those who took up arms against the United States to preserve slavery is an affront to the human dignity of all Americans. These painful symbols of bigotry and racism have no place in public places--certainly should not be enshrined in the United States Capitol. It is past time for Congress to stop glorifying the men who were traitors and committed treason against the United States in a concerted effort to keep African Americans in chains. The movement to honor Confederate soldiers was a deliberate act to rewrite the very history of the United States and humanize acts designed to dehumanize African Americans. They are symbols of hatred and defiance of Federal authority and should not be held in a place of honor in the United States Capitol.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I conclude by saying this: In this moment, the horrors of systemic racism are front and center, and the manifestations are before the public each and every day. The removal of the Confederate statues from the United States Capitol is an important step in dismantling the systems that hold us back. As a descendant of enslaved Americans from Galveston, Texas, and enslaved human beings, I thank you for this bill, and I ask for an ``aye'' vote.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. What a void we feel tonight. I rise to honor the life and legacy of a great warrior for peace and justice, a kind and gentle human being, the conscience of the Congress, Congressman John Lewis. As a giant of, as our whip indicated, a civil rights movement, John's leadership and his courage continued as an extraordinary congressional leader. Every year, I joined John on his annual pilgrimage to Selma, Montgomery, and Birmingham, Alabama. I brought young people from the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center in my district and my grandchildren each year to learn about and give thanks to the foot soldiers of the civil rights movement. John always took time to meet with these young people. Even this year, with his failing health, he pulled them aside. He met with them. He always wanted to, and he did, inspire them to take that baton and to run the next lap of the race for justice and equality. And, yes, like with so many, he blessed my community by coming to my district to continue these efforts with my young people. Last year, Speaker Pelosi and Chairwoman Bass led a delegation to Ghana, West Africa, to observe the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans brought to America. John said that Ghana was one of the most moving trips of his life. He said: ``To see and behold the inhumanity during another period of our history, it tells each and every one of us to never let this evil happen again.'' Now, John was welcomed in Ghana as royalty, which he was. He was honored as a son of Africa who had come home. John and I would compare notes on tough votes, such as on matters of war and peace and defense spending. I will miss his wise counsel and admonition--and, really, admonition--to do the right thing as he told all of us to keep our eyes on the prize. Now, Members know how we get agitated when our colleagues poach our staff members. Well, John poached a brilliant and wonderful young woman from my office Jamila Thompson. When he told me about it, believe it or not, for the first time, I was thrilled that one of my staff members had been poached by John Lewis. What an honor. John's presence in the people's House will be deeply missed, but one of the greatest tributes to Congressman John Lewis would be to restore the Voting Rights Act. I would not be standing here as the 100th Black Member of Congress had it not been for the Honorable John Robert Lewis. My deepest condolences and love and gratitude to John's family, Michael Collins, Jamila Thompson, his entire phenomenal staff, and his constituents, and to all those whose lives he touched. Let us continue to build the beloved community that he so eloquently spoke of. In closing, I am reminded of a Scripture, 2 Timothy 4:7: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. As John Lewis' soul returns to his Creator, may he rest in peace, may he rest in power.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me thank Congresswoman Omar for introducing this amendment and for her tremendous leadership; also, to Chairman McGovern, who offered this amendment several years ago when it passed the House with the support of, as Congresswoman Omar said, over 300 Members. Our war in Afghanistan began almost two decades ago. At that time, we drafted, debated, and passed an authorization for Use of Military Force in 3 days. Congress applied no time limit. It gave authority for a mission so broad and vaguely defined that it has essentially created a blank check for 20 years of war. Yes, I was opposed then to that resolution. But, quite frankly, I gain no satisfaction that my fears have been fully justified. But I do think there is a lesson here, and that is that Congress that needs to play a more active role in defining the scope and the timing of how America makes war. Some of my friends will argue against this amendment by saying we cannot tie the hands of the military. I would ask them to look at where we are. When Congress fails to insist on limits and guidelines for our military, the mission gets confused and lost. We have now negotiated an agreement to bring our role in Afghanistan to an end. The President himself has said that he intends to bring our troops home. This amendment will provide the accountability for doing so. It is far past time to bring almost two decades--mind you, two decades--of nonstop war to an end. These forever wars have spanned wider and wider.

Ms. LEE of California. These wars, I remind you, have cost us $5 trillion and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. The war in Afghanistan is the longest war in American history, with troops now fighting a war that was launched before they were even born. Enough is enough. This is a thoughtful and deliberative way for us to untangle our military from Afghanistan and bring this long war to an end. So I want to thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota for her tremendous leadership in bringing this important amendment to the floor, and I ask for an ``aye'' vote.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Pocan for yielding and for his tremendous, bold, and visionary leadership. As we stand here today, 142,000 people in America are dead from COVID and millions have suffered from the disease or the economic dislocation which it has caused. The Federal response has been weak, it has been late, and it has been confused. Meanwhile, this House stands poised to pour three-quarters of a trillion dollars into a defense establishment that is unauditable, unaccountable, and does little to answer the basic threats to the safety and welfare of our people. The Pentagon is the only Federal department that has never passed an audit, despite this requirement being on the books for 30 years. It is not hard to find places to cut this budget. The Pentagon could save almost $58 billion just by eliminating obsolete weapons, weapons like Cold War-era bombers and missiles designed and built in the last century that are totally unsuitable for the challenges of this century. We could find another $18 billion simply by preventing the end-of- year spending sprees that lead to contract money being shoveled out the door in September. Congressional Research Service documented these spending spikes occurring each September as offices at the Pentagon go on a last-minute spending spree to justify their next-year budget increases. We see the tremendous costs of this runaway spending not only in missing priorities like public health that are left underfunded, but in a way of thinking that militarizes every problem in our society and turns peaceful protestors into targets for weapons of war. Enough. It is time for us to stand up against this madness.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, let me just close by saying these are modest cuts. They won't compromise our national security and won't take dollars from our troops, but it will 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. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Bass for yielding and for her visionary and tremendous leadership. Let me say a couple of things about this bill. First of all, finally, this bill, after generations, will begin to end systemic racism in policing. Young people from all backgrounds are demanding action and have said to the world that enough is enough. As the mother and grandmother of Black men and boys, I had too many painful conversations, as do all Black families, about what to do to make sure their encounters with the police are not deadly. The trauma around these fears are lifelong. This is not normal, but for African American parents, sadly, it is. The tragic murder of George Floyd and so many African Americans around the country, including in my own district with Oscar Grant, demand action. These tragic murders demand justice that this bill provides, for example, by ending qualified immunity. No one is above the law. The world is watching today, Mr. Speaker. The United Nations passed a resolution condemning the violent practices perpetrated by law enforcement against people of African descent in the United States of America. Let us show the rest of the world that we truly intend to live up to our creed of liberty and justice for all and, yes, that means also Black lives do matter. I urge an ``aye'' vote.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank Madam Chair, our Speaker, our committee chairs--chair of the Black Caucus, Chairwoman Bass, and Robin Kelly chairs the Health Braintrust for the Black Caucus--for working together with me to address the unequal impact of COVID on people of color and the poor and making sure that people and organizations rooted in our communities play the lead role in recovery, including contact tracing. We are facing the worst health and economic crisis of our lifetime. Elevated rates of infection and death are in communities of color. Heroic frontline and essential workers being paid poverty wages. There are struggling small and minority-owned businesses, millions unemployed, and millions pushed into poverty.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, this House must fight for those who bear the brunt of this pandemic, not big corporations whose wealth permits them to weather this crisis. This pandemic has shone a light, mind you, on the systemic racism, inequality, and poverty endemic throughout the country. The bill includes $75 billion for testing, contact tracing, and treatment in the highest impacted areas. I am disappointed that we did not include Congresswoman Jayapal's Paycheck Guarantee Act; however, the Paycheck Guarantee Act would provide stability of a paycheck through this pandemic. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to embrace this in the future as we move forward.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to speak in support of Congress taking immediate action to help people and countries around the globe to fight the COVID-19 Pandemic. I wish to thank my colleagues Dr. Bera and Dr. Yoho for organizing this important Special Order. The need around the world to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic is immense. I and other Members are joining the call for Congress to provide twelve billion dollars for international efforts to fight the virus, with a specific focus on helping African countries and multilateral institutions who are on the front lines of this crisis. This is a small fraction of what we are spending at home, but it can make a huge difference in stopping the virus around the world. Right now, America is hurting from COVID-19. Too many families are dealing with the suffering and death of loved ones from the virus. Many more are struggling to cope with an economic crisis unlike any we've seen in our lifetimes. And while this suffering is wide and deep, it's also deeply unequal. It's true that Coronavirus itself doesn't discriminate on who it infects. But the inequality that has built up in our health care system and our economy means that Black and Brown people are more likely to get sick, and more likely to get substandard care. And people already living on the edge of poverty are bearing the worst of the economic crisis, unable to telecommute, unable to make rent, and last in line to get help. When so many are suffering at home, it's fair that some people might ask, ``why should Congress be looking to help other countries? Why shouldn't we take care of our own first?'' Madam Speaker, that is a false choice. The bottom line is that we cannot defeat COVID unless the whole world works together. There are too many countries that simply lack the resources to tackle the pandemic on their own. There is a practical reason why we need to help these countries--because if we don't, we run the risk that both this virus and the economic shock will fester, creating more risks for us here at home. But more importantly, we need to help because of the moral imperative, the fact that an America that seeks to be just and moral needs to play a leading role in making sure that every country can weather this crisis. America serves both our interests and our values when we act in service of our common humanity. Regardless of what disagreements we might have with particular governments, it is our mission to make sure that people everywhere have basic public health protections, and a lifeline to whether the economic impact of this crisis. The good news is, we have a road map for how this is done. When in the past, the world has faced pandemic challenges, America has taken action to contribute to the global effort. When HIV and AIDS threatened Africa with widespread suffering and demographic disaster, I and many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle here in Congress worked with the Bush Administration to respond. I am proud to have helped author the legislation creating both PEPFAR and the Global Fund, which have helped to turn the tide on the crisis, providing extensive bilateral and multilateral investment in strengthening health systems and expanding treatment, as well as funding the search for a vaccine. When Ebola threatened to overwhelm West Africa, the United States mobilized an array of resources to respond. In these past crises, America has sought to work collaboratively with the global community. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution, and it's important to support the global institutions, such as the World Health Organization and United Nations, that help coordinate our international response. These organizations don't just act in ways that protect us all, they also help advance our shared humanitarian values. They deserve our full moral and financial support. Madam Speaker, the Coronavirus doesn't stop at the border, nor does its economic and moral impact. I urge my colleagues to resist the urge to score political points by pulling back from shared international efforts and join us here in our efforts to help mend the single garment of our destiny. I urge my colleagues to support a robust international investment in fighting COVID-19 and restoring the global economy so that it works for all people, here at home and around the world

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, first of all, let me just say I rise in support of this package. I want to thank the Speaker; our leadership committee chair; members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including Chairwoman Bass; Chairwoman Kelly, chair of the Health Braintrust; and all of the Members and staff who are working together on the health provisions of this bill. Also, let me just take this moment to thank our essential workers for their sacrifices during this horrific pandemic. Evidence has piled up that Black and Brown people are bearing some of the worst burdens of COVID. This bill requires, as Chairwoman Bass said, the CDC to get us the data on which communities are bearing the worst brunt and then to make sure that testing is focused on these communities. But let me just say, we have much more work to do. Too many people were trapped in poverty before this crisis, and now more people have been pushed into the ranks of the poor because of COVID. People are lining up in front of food banks. We need to increase SNAP funding, support the State and local government workers who are on the front lines of this crisis, protect our elections, and help people who are falling through the cracks and living on the edge. We have a moral and we have a patriotic duty to do this.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. I want to thank our Speaker for her remarkable and steady leadership, our entire leadership team, the committee chairs, and our Appropriations Chair, Nita Lowey who helped to craft this package. We must boldly fight this pandemic with all the science-based tools and resources we have. And we must put families first. The bill before us does exactly that by: Providing free coronavirus testing for everyone who needs it, Establishing an emergency paid leave program, Enhancing state unemployment benefits, Strengthening food assistance programs for seniors and school kids. I urge all members to support this critical legislation to help address the needs of families across this nation facing the impact of this pandemic. Lastly, I want to thank the Governor, State Officials, our Mayor, Local Officials, Port of Oakland, our workers, Federal Partners, and our residents who have pulled together so that public health protocols were put in place to ensure the health and safety of everyone including the West Oakland community. The West Oakland community has been significant challenged by environmental racism and injustice in the past. I am proud of the community their compassion and competence and for stepping up during these challenging times.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, today, we rise to celebrate Women's History Month and reflect on the generations of American women and their many contributions that have brought us to this place in our history. Every March, we honor the countless contributions that women have made to this nation. Fearless leaders like the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Coretta Scott King, Dorothy Heights, Dolores Huerta, Patsy Mink and Wilma Mankiller paved the way for us. We would not be where we are today without them. March is also our time to reflect on the work that remains to achieve true equality. Last year, we saw women challenging the status quo everywhere from sports and politics to emerging STEM fields and corporate boards. In fact, I am proud to serve in this Congress that has 127 women--the most in U.S history. But too many women are still fighting to break down barriers. The injustices that remain are many. Whether it is unequal pay or attacks on reproductive health, the persistent shadow of sexism and prejudice still undermines women in our society. But I know that women are resilient. And throughout it all, we are standing strong. Today, I am reminded of the words of my mentor, Shirley Chisholm. She said, ``If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.'' I hope women and girls everywhere will bring their folding chairs and stay at the table. Because this month is more than a celebration of our past--it's a call for a better future tomorrow. Happy Women's History Month.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Marty Lynch, Ph.D, as he retires as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to CEO Emeritus of LifeLong Medical Care. Dr. Lynch's service in the healthcare industry spans over 60 years, including service as a non- profit administrator for more than 30 years. Dr. Lynch is involved in national, state, and local public policy and research activities related to health access for the uninsured, long-term care models, chronic care, and financing care for disabled populations. In addition, Dr. Lynch is a lecturer at the University of California Berkeley in the School of Social Welfare.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the Chairman for yielding and also for his consistent leadership on issues of war and peace and making sure that Congress does its job. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of S.J. Res. 68, which is a resolution terminating the use of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran. This critical resolution helps put a check on the administration's reckless and irrational military action against Iran. The American people do not want, nor can we allow, another unnecessary war of choice in the Middle East. This resolution is an important step in our efforts to prevent that from happening. Make no mistake: The assassination of Mr. Soleimani just a few months ago placed us on the brink of war. This did constitute an act of hostility against Iran, and, in fact, injured at least 100 of our brave troops. Also, it hurt our national security and made us less safe. President Trump's continued and reckless military action without congressional approval or authorization caused this crisis. But we are here today to make clear that the President cannot launch a war with Iran without the explicit authorization of Congress. Madam Speaker, we have been down this dangerous path before in Iraq, and we cannot afford another ill-advised, destructive, and costly war in the Middle East. And, yes, I opposed the use of force without congressional authorization during the previous administration. This is not a partisan issue. Congress must do its job, and we must even go further to restore our constitutional duty over military action. I hope the Senate takes up my bill, H.R. 2456, to repeal the 2002 Iraq AUMF, which the House passed in January, which the administration, mind you, used as the basis for the assassination of Soleimani and its military hostilities toward Iran.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, let me remind you that the 2002 Iraq resolution was introduced to address weapons of mass destruction purportedly in Iraq. Now, this was a lie, it was put forth by the Bush administration. And many of us who were here tried to halt the use of force and to allow the inspectors to complete their inspections. Unfortunately--and I had an amendment to do this--it received just 72 votes. Now, regardless of how one voted, the 2002 authorization was specific to Iraq, not Iran, nor any other country. And so it is past time that Congress reassert our congressional authority on matters of war and peace. We must also return to diplomacy and peace and stop these endless wars. So I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this. It is time that we do our job. Congress has been missing in action.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support today of Congresswoman Speier's bill, H.J. Res. 79. I thank Congresswoman Speier and Congresswoman Maloney for their consistent leadership as warrior women. The ERA would guarantee rights to all and would finally affirm women's equality in our Constitution by removing this arbitrary deadline. We know that, too often, women have been relegated to the sidelines and left out of the Constitution, especially Black women and women of color. For example, there is still rampant gender wage discrimination. Discrimination against women must end. That is why the ERA is so important. It would make sure that our government would ensure that women are treated equally, a right that needs to be clearly outlined in every aspect of our country. I want my granddaughters, Jordan, Simone, and Giselle, to know that they are equal to men, that their rights are enshrined in the Constitution. They, like every girl and woman, deserve equality in their country. They should know that their country, the United States of America, has finally joined the rest of the world to stand up for their rights as American women.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, this week we honor the second National Gun Violence Survivors Week. I rise today to lift the voices of survivors who live with the impact of gun violence each and every day. Every year, over 36,000 Americans are killed in acts of gun violence and approximately 73,330 more are shot and injured. Every day in America, one hundred people die and hundreds more are wounded by gun violence. Even more are threatened or witness gun violence. America's gun death rate is 11 times greater than that of other developed countries. This is why House Democrats have passed commonsense legislation like H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Check Act, and H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Background Check Act, to help End Gun Violence to keep our communities safe. Yet Leader McConnell continues to block a vote on this crucial step forward. This is SHAMEFUL. The American people deserve ACTION. Not political gamesmanship. We must stop the bloodshed and the tears. Our children and our communities deserve more than just thoughts and prayers--they deserve action.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman very much for yielding. First of all, I want to thank Congressman Horsford for those generous comments, but also for his leadership on so many fronts and for constantly really looking out for the most vulnerable and for those who oftentimes don't have a voice here. I am really delighted that under the leadership of our fearless chair, Congresswoman Karen Bass, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, she asked Mr. Horsford to chair this Special Order tonight, because it is so important that we talk about the budget cuts, and also in the context of commemorating this anniversary, the 150th anniversary of the ratification of the 15th Amendment. We continue to be the conscience of the Congress, and it is so important that we not only remember our history and educate those who may have forgotten about it, but also talk about how we got to where we are today. With these budget cuts that are going to severely, disproportionately impact the African American community, how can we not make the connection between our history and what is taking place here with this administration. Let me just lay out a few more of the budget cuts very quickly. I do serve on the Budget Committee with Mr. Horsford, and so we are going to be dealing with this for the next few weeks and really lay out how horrendous these cuts are. I also serve on the Appropriations Committee as an appropriator. We have to do a deep dive on this tonight, so let me just lay out a few more of these horrific cuts. There are cuts to lifesaving medical research. We're talking about that this administration wants to cut the National Institutes of Health by $3.3 billion and reduce the funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by $678 million. Education: This administration wants to impose an 8.5 percent cut on the Department of Education, which is a total cut of $6.2 billion, which includes cuts to after-school programs, which we, of course, know are extremely important in low-income communities and in the Black community. Infrastructure: This budget reduces the funding for the Army Corps of Engineers, which fixes our Nation's crumbling water infrastructure, by $1.7 billion. There are cuts to community development. It eliminates the Community Development Block Grant, making it harder for communities to address needs like safe housing, economic opportunities, and public facilities improvements. It eliminates the HOME Program. Here we are trying to increase access to affordable housing and eliminate homelessness, yet this administration's budget presents a cut in terms of just zeroing out the HOME Program. Of course, that is going to make it harder for low-income individuals to access affordable housing programs. It reduces rural broadband, cuts funding--this is hard to believe-- for small businesses. It cuts the funding for the Small Business Administration's Entrepreneurial Development grants by $93 million, making it harder for small businesses to grow and compete. We can go on and on and on, but we see this budget as a budget that we know is going to hurt those who don't have a lot of money, quite frankly, and who are striving to take care of their families and to live the quality of life that they so deserve as Americans. So we are going to fight, and we are going to make sure that this budget is dead on arrival, but we think it is important to lay out what the values are that are in this budget. It is an immoral budget, it is unethical, it is un-American, and I hope that tonight people will really understand they need to sound the alarm. It really is a budget that requires designating this as a state of emergency. With regard to 150 years ago: African American men were given the right to vote with the ratification of the 15th Amendment, that was in 1870, but it was ratified, though, to ensure the freedoms outlined in the 13th and 14th Amendments. However, the promise of the 15th Amendment--going back now and right up to today--the integral promise of the right to vote for Black Americans was blocked, totally blocked until the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which I remember very well. I was in high school then. It was just quite remarkable that in our lifetime, that the 15th Amendment still wasn't actualized. Almost a century now after, here we see still violence, racially charged State and local laws subjected Black men to the use of poll taxes and literacy tests to prevent them from voting. Through these discriminatory tactics, we still kept fighting. These tactics attempted to stop Black Americans from voting for our rights, but we are still fighting. It wasn't just Black men who were fighting for equality and fairness. Black women were marching in the streets long after the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting White women the right to vote. Black women continued to face the same discrimination at the polls that Black men had faced since 1870. What is worse, Black women faced the compounded prejudices of anti- blackness and anti-women, but they were not deterred. They, we, continued to fight for equality along with African American men. Black women, like Mary Church Terrell, organized political organizations and participated in political meetings. Black women were involved in the U.S. political system long before they could legally cast a vote. Ninety-five years later, after decades of pressure and activism in the midst of the civil rights movement, then in 1965 the Voting Rights Act made voting more accessible to Black men and women. Despite the protections that this law put into place, the Black vote is still suppressed. Now we have new barriers such as gerrymandering, voter ID laws, voter purges, and the closing of polling locations in many minority communities. Now, instead of a poll tax, communities of color, especially African American communities, are waiting in line for 7, 8, and even 10 hours to vote. Instead of making it easier to participate in our democracy, we have States making it harder and pushing minorities out of reach. So today, 150 years after the 15th Amendment passed, this fight for the right to vote is more important than ever. Again, as I close, going back to these budget cuts, we have to let this administration know that there is power in the Black vote and that Black lives also do matter and that these budget cuts that we are talking about tonight, when you look at them, I am worried that they would take us back, take us way back to the days of Jim Crow and the days that we don't even want to remember. So, Madam Speaker, to Congressman Horsford, this is very timely tonight. I thank the gentleman for this Special Order, because the 15th Amendment and what is taking place today are very, very connected, and we need to remind our constituents of the risks and the dangers that we face at this point in our history.

Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his leadership.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, first, let me thank Chairman Scott for yielding, but also for his tremendous leadership on behalf of American workers. I rise in strong support today of the PRO Act. This bill protects the basic right to join a union by giving millions of workers protections to organize, negotiate better pay, and a strong voice on the job. Unions are vital to the health of our economy and our community. They help reduce racial and economic inequality, boost pay, and increase benefits for workers. Unfortunately, antiworker attacks have seriously weakened our unions and our middle class. Union membership is at an all-time low, and workers are scared even to organize or join a union. That is so shameful. We must protect workers' rights to organize and improve the quality of life for themselves and their families. That is why this bill is so important. The PRO Act strengthens the power of all workers to join a union and hold wealthy corporations accountable. Mr. Chairman, I include in the Record two letters from labor groups in support of this PRO Act. These letters are from the Department for Professional Employees, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Equal Rights Advocates, National Employment Law Project, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Taskforce on Tradeswomen's Issues, National Women's Law Center, and UltraViolet. Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, Washington, DC, February 4, 2020. Re H.R. 2474, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Dear Representative: On behalf of the 24 national unions in the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO (DPE), I urge you to support H.R. 2474, the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, and to oppose any weakening amendments and any Motion to Recommit when the House of Representatives considers this bill. The PRO Act will ensure that professionals can exercise their right to join together in union and negotiate collectively with their employers by restoring the original intent of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). DPE knows from our 2016 national survey of nonunion professionals that a majority of professionals want to join together in union. Unfortunately, in too many instances, employers are able to violate the NLRA and deny professionals their right to form a union with their colleagues. The PRO Act will help ensure all professionals can achieve their right to join together in union and negotiate collectively with their employers to improve their lives and their workplaces. The legislation modernizes the NLRA so that it has remedies consistent with other workplace laws, ending the perverse incentive that exists currently for employers to break the law. Companies and individual corporate officers will be subject to financial penalties if they violate the NLRA, and professionals will have the ability to bring their cases to federal court. Further, the PRO Act will provide for fair union elections. The bill will also stop employers from hiding behind a subcontractor or other intermediary, or deliberately misclassifying professional employees as supervisors or independent contractors to evade their employer responsibilities. Recognizing that professionals can only fully realize the value of joining together in union when they have a written contract, the PRO Act will also put a stop to employers using tactics that prevent employees from achieving a union contract. The legislation establishes a process for mediation and arbitration to assist employers and their employees with reaching agreement on a first contract. A written contract-- just like CEOs have--is how union professionals can guarantee pay and benefits, ensure a voice in decisions affecting them at work, and secure pathways to sustain their careers. The PRO Act also recognizes that professionals must be able to picket or withhold their labor in order to have the power necessary to improve their workplaces. The legislation will prevent employers from hiring permanent replacement workers in instances when professionals decide they have no choice but to go on strike. In addition, nonunion professionals will be able to engage in collective action to enforce basic workplace rights, instead of being required to pursue justice on their own through employer-favored arbitration proceedings. Lastly, the PRO Act would eliminate state right to work laws. Secretive special interest groups and their billionaire funders push these laws in an effort to give corporations more power at the expense of everyday professionals. We must learn from the experience of the past seven decades, which has shown that people in states with right to work laws have lower wages and reduced access to quality health care and retirement security. The experience of the more than four million professional, technical, and other highly skilled workers who make up DPE's 24 national unions demonstrates that working people do better when they can negotiate collectively for better pay and improved working conditions. That is why a majority of nonunion professionals want to join together with their colleagues and negotiate with their own employers. And it is why I urge you to support the PRO Act when it comes before you for a vote on the House floor. Sincerely, Jennifer Dorning, President.

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Chairman, I ask for a ``yes'' vote for our workers and a ``yes'' vote for this bill.

Ms. LEE of California

Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, we lost a devoted public servant with the recent passing of our dear friend, Representative Pete Stark. As a student at Mills College during the early 1970s, I was president of the Black Student Union, and Pete helped me with many of my organizing efforts. He was also the very first Member of Congress I voted for. Pete served for 40 years as a passionate and courageous public servant who made it his goal to advocate for those most in need. Through working alongside him in Congress, I came to admire his willingness to speak out for what he believed to be right, even when it meant challenging those in power. Pete made a difference in the lives of millions of people across the country. His substantial and lasting influence on health policy reflected his deeply held values of compassionate legislating and courageous advocacy. Pete believed it was his role to fight for the people's interests, not for special interests. He saw his role as one of advocacy for the underserved people of his district and throughout the country. Pete never failed to speak up when it came time to champion a more compassionate approach to governance. He truly spoke truth to power. My thoughts and prayers are with Pete's wife, Deborah, his children, his family, and his loved ones. May we carry his baton forward in our work for a more just world, a more compassionate world, and may he rest in peace.