Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Clay for some of the stories he shared that many of us as a former staffer remember. Yes, I remember Ron playing the role of Frederick Douglass, and it was unbelievable because it didn't take much for the transformation. Sometimes we would say: Who is this, Ron or Frederick? So I thank the gentleman for reminding us of that tonight. Mr. Speaker, Ron's family hailed from Texas. Congresswoman Jackson Lee was a friend of Congressman Dellums. She currently serves on the Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security Committee, and the Budget Committee. Also, Ron was very proud of Sheila, and he loved hearing the gentlewoman speak and listening to her insights about criminal justice reform in our judiciary. So I thank the gentlewoman again for being here tonight. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the great State of Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee).

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Jackson Lee for reminding us what a visionary and a leader Ron was. Mr. Speaker, I remember when we came to Houston, Texas, Ron was determined to put together a coalition between African Americans and Latinos to look at our common issues. He and Mickey Leland were very close, and he worked very closely with the Latino community to really put together the agenda that spoke to both of our communities. So I thank the gentlewoman very much for being here and reminding us of that. He was a coalition builder. I called him the father of coalition politics, and the gentlewoman laid that out tonight. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, we have heard quite a bit tonight of the life and legacy of a great human being and a great warrior for peace and justice, Congressman Ron Dellums. Let me highlight a couple of stories that weren't highlighted tonight that I would like to share. First of all, Ron really worked in a bipartisan fashion on many, many issues. I remember that Ron and former Speaker Newt Gingrich were talking about collaborating on a book together. This was really a time of true bipartisanship. Also, Ron called himself a feminist, and he believed in equality for women. This just wasn't lip service. He followed his convictions in his hiring practices. Ron hired women and women of color in the early 1970s and took pride in employing a diverse staff. When I worked for Ron in the seventies, I was one of a very few African Americans and only a couple African American women in key senior staff positions on Capitol Hill, but he made certain that I was treated fairly and empowered me to manage his office. Ron had remarkable female role models, including his mother, Mrs. Willa Dellums. She was a major influence on Ron and taught him to be proud that he was an American of African descent. She taught him that his culture and his heritage was an important part of who he was as a human being and as an elected official. Ron was really the big brother that I never had. He gave me personal advice and support as a single mom raising two boys here in Washington, D.C. He loved children. When my son, Craig, graduated from Brent Elementary School around the corner from the Capitol, he asked Ron to be his graduation speaker. Mind you, this was, I believe, in the sixth grade. Ron left the Hill, spoke at the graduation, took pictures, and talked to the children afterwards. Mind you, these were young children. They didn't have political clout and they couldn't vote, but Ron didn't mind. He did this out of the goodness of his heart because he loved children and cared about their future. When Ron retired, I announced my candidacy for his seat. He introduced me at my campaign kickoff, and he literally passed a blue baton to me at that kickoff, which I will cherish forever. But that baton reminds me of his impact on the world both in the policies that he championed and in all of those he inspired to follow in his footsteps. Ron didn't serve in public office for the glory. He served to make life better for other people. He used to tell his staff: ``Don't measure decisions by what is politically expedient. Just ask yourself: Is this the right thing to do? And if it is, then go ahead and do it. You don't need to ask me about that.'' In his final weeks on this Earth, I had the privilege to visit Ron several times. I spent my birthday, July 16, with him in the evening. He was in rare form, telling stories, toasting our friendship, and singing happy birthday to me. Yet he was frail, in pain, but all along he demonstrated a sense of hope and courage, even as he knew he would meet his Maker soon. As Ron lived with dignity and respect, doing it all ``his way,'' he left this Earth exhibiting courage and a sense of peace, reminding me of the Scripture 2 Timothy 4:7, ``I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith.'' There is no more fitting way to honor the memory of Congressman Dellums than for us to lift his legacy in the spirit of respect for different points of views, sticking to one's values and principles, and fighting to make this a better world for all. It is an honor of a lifetime to carry the baton which Ron passed on to me in our shared fight for justice, peace, and equality. But most importantly, as Ron said, we must secure the future for generations yet unborn. That is what this blue baton reminds me of. I thank all of those who have been here tonight to share the memory and celebrate the life and mourn the loss of my friend, my former boss, the great Congressman Ronald Dellums. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to voice my opposition to President Trump's nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court. The stakes could not be higher: Judge Kavanaugh is not the Justice that our nation needs, nor deserves. Voting rights, women's reproductive rights, and affirmative action are all under threat. Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation could redefine the Supreme Court, and threatens to undermine some of our nation's most important rights for decades to come. Judge Kavanaugh's nomination poses a threat to voting rights. When the state of South Carolina tried to enforce a draconian voter ID law, the Obama Administration blocked the law. When the case was referred to the US District Court, Judge Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, upheld the voter I.D. law saying, ``the South Carolina Law has neither a discriminatory effect nor a discriminatory purpose. Moreover, South Carolina did not act with a discriminatory purpose.'' The three-judge panel, led by Kavanaugh, upheld the law. The bill was signed by former Governor, and now UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Kavanaugh's nomination also poses a threat to reproductive rights. The landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision not only gave women access to basic health care rights, but it also strengthened a woman's right to choose. We've seen this playbook before, Mr. Speaker; Republicans will stop at nothing to end Roe as we know it. They will chip away it. They will undermine it. They will erode it. And we know that women of color and women from low-income communities will be the most adversely impacted by restrictions on access to reproductive healthcare. From Kavanagh's tacit approval of Justice Rehnquist's dissent in Roe vs. Wade, to his own dissent in the 2017 ``Jane Doe'' vs. HHS case saying, ``(we can't allow) a new right for unlawful immigrant minors in U.S. Government detention to obtain immediate abortion on demand,'' it is clear Judge Kavanaugh will be receptive to cases prohibiting women's right to choose. Finally, while Judge Kavanaugh has never written a judicial opinion on affirmative action, he has written an amicus brief for the Center for Equal Opportunity, an organization opposed to the consideration of race in college admissions decisions. If affirmative action were to be limited or ended, historically disenfranchised students would have fewer opportunities to access mainstream institutions of higher learning. As a co-chair of the Congressional Pro-choice Caucus, and as a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I will keep fighting to protect women's reproductive rights, voting rights, and affirmative action. We must urge the Senate to oppose Trump's dangerous nominee who represents a direct threat to our values as a nation. We can and must stop the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to the conference report to H.R. 5515, which is the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. This bill authorizes more than $708 billion in defense spending. Yet we know that there is at least $150 billion in waste, fraud, and abuse currently over at the Pentagon. Now we are giving them more money. Shame on us. This is an already out-of-control, bloated Pentagon budget. Mr. Speaker, it would also increase funding to $69 billion for wars that Congress has never debated or voted on. Once again, my Republican colleagues have used off-the-books spending gimmicks to further expand the bloated Pentagon budget. Enough is enough, Mr. Speaker. Instead of writing blank checks to the Pentagon, Congress needs to live up to its constitutional obligation to debate matters of war and peace. I offered an amendment to sunset the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force after 8 months of enactment during the regular debate of this bill. Congress would have 8 months to debate and vote on a new AUMF before the repeal. Eight months is plenty of time. Mr. Speaker, we passed the 2001 AUMF within 3 days, mind you. Unfortunately, Republicans refused to allow my bipartisan amendment on the Floor. When in the world will this body have the backbone to debate the costs and consequences of these wars? Our brave troops deserve better. We need to do our job. I am pleased, though, that some of my amendments--which are very important amendments--were included in the conference report. They include clarifying that nothing in this bill can be construed as authorizing force against North Korea--that is the use of military force. Also, we included reporting requirements for auditing the Pentagon. We need the Pentagon audited so that taxpayers will really begin to know where their hard-earned tax dollars are going and what weapons systems they are contributing to in terms of the building of weapons systems which probably will never be used, a report and update on the United States-Kabul compact, and also overseas contingency operations reporting requirements. Can you believe we are spending all this money on a slush fund through OCO, and we don't know what is going on with that account? The underlying bill is still a disgrace. In conclusion, I just want to reiterate that authorizing wars with no end, no debate, and no vote is unconstitutional, and it is wrong. I call on Speaker Ryan to bring forth an authorization because every step of the way, we are trying in a bipartisan fashion to do this, and it is the Speaker's call. He should do that so that we can debate and vote up or down on these wars. So, this final bill should not be passed just based on the amount of money that we are giving to the Pentagon to do more than ensure our national security and fight terrorism. Mr. Speaker, I urge a no vote and reject this shameful bill.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 644, to condemn the slave auctions of migrants and refugees in Libya. The legislation, which calls for multilateral action and support, takes an important first step towards ending deplorable human rights grievances in the country. In an era where most of us consider slavery to be a shame of the past, the photos, videos, and reports that have emerged out of Libya in the past year have rocked us to the very core of our humanity. What is happening in Libya is an unspeakable atrocity. Recent U.N. reports out of Libya detail sexual violence against the most vulnerable migrant populations--women and children--as well as the unlivable conditions in the detention centers where refugees are being held. People--human beings--are being bought, sold, and traded like chattel, on auction blocks, for their labor. This is nothing short of a humanitarian crisis. As a leader on the international stage, and as fellow human beings, our nation has a responsibility to speak out against such flagrant disregard for human life and freedom. I would like to thank my colleague, Karen Bass for offering H.R. 644 to condemn the slave auctions of migrants and refugees in Libya, and for calling the world to action. I strongly encourage my colleagues in Congress to act, with a sense of urgency, to end these egregious human rights violations.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H. Con. Res. 119, which is a shameful denial of the clear evidence of climate change and its impact on our planet. Let me be clear. There is no greater threat to the future of this planet than climate change. But instead of offering solutions, Republicans are burying their heads in the sand once again. Here are the facts. Climate change is real, it is manmade, and every day that Congress fails to act, we are making the problem worse. The cost of inaction is astronomical. If we do nothing it is our grandchildren who will be left with the price tag. The truth is, Mr. Speaker, that we can pass policies that dramatically reduce greenhouse gases and build our economy. California, my home State, is 4 years ahead of schedule on our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals and green jobs have grown exponentially. We have over 300,000 people working in the green job industry, by far the most in the country. So, no, Mr. Speaker, this carbon tax fear-mongering won't work because Americans understand that the true threat to our economy is from climate change, which is already wreaking havoc on our planet. I urge my colleagues to reject this resolution and, instead, get to the real work of addressing climate change.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the late, great President Nelson Mandela, whose 100th birthday we celebrate today. Like many of my colleagues, I was first inspired by Mr. Mandela in the early 1970s. I was arrested in Berkeley, California, protesting apartheid, when our brave brothers and sisters in the labor movement refused to unload ships from South Africa that arrived at Oakland's port. I remember very vividly when the African National Congress was designated a terrorist organization by the United States Government. It was illegal to meet with the freedom fighters in the United States, but many of us did anyway in safe places around the world. I was so happy when we finally passed legislation, which I led, to lift President Mandela and the ANC off the terrorist watch list on his 90 birthday 10 years ago. As an election observer, I will never forget the lines of people waiting to vote for Nelson Mandela as the first Black President of South Africa. Madiba's impact was not limited to South Africa. He sparked social justice movements that reached around the world and reminded us of the power of the vote. As President Obama noted yesterday, he said Madiba ``came to embody the universal aspirations of dispossessed people all around the world, their hopes for a better life.'' President Mandela taught us many lessons, lessons in reconciliation, perseverance, and public service. Above all, he taught us that the fight for justice was never finished. His legacy will live forever.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me the time and for his tireless advocacy. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 4760. This is an anti-immigrant bill, plain and simple: It fails to provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers; it dismantles family immigration; it ends the important diversity visa lottery program; it funds $30 billion for Trump's border wall; and it fails to address the horrible zero- tolerance policy. Why are we moving forward with a bill that does not address the malicious detention of families seeking asylum, a bill that does nothing to reunite the 2,300 children separated from their parents? These policies are really a disgrace and a stain on our country. Just imagine the horrors of these families fleeing violence, domestic abuse, but we are not providing refuge. No. Our government--our government--has been ripping children out of the arms of parents. We are holding kids in cages. And now the Trump administration wants to leave whole families, including young children, in jail for extended periods of time. Locking up kids is child abuse. It is a violation of their human rights. We must ensure that these children are reunited with their families. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill. And as my colleague Congresswoman Chu said, it is about making America White again.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, if I were present, I would have voted NO on roll call number 265 to H.R. 5788. If I were present, I would have voted NO on roll call number 266 to H.R. 5735

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, if I were present, I would have voted NO on roll call number 234, ordering the previous question on H. RES. 918. If I were present, I would have voted NO on roll call number 235 the rule for H. Res. 918. If I were present, I would have voted no on roll call number 236. If I were present, I would have voted yes on roll call number 237 the motion to recommit on H.R. 8. If I were present, I would have voted yes on roll call number 238 to H.R. 8. If I were present, I would have voted yes on roll call number 239 to H.R. 3249

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, our Leader Pelosi, to congratulate the 2018 NBA champions, my home team, the Golden State Warriors. Now, on Friday, the world watched as the Warriors swept the Cleveland Cavaliers and claimed their third NBA title in 4 years. Led by two-time MVP Steph Curry and two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant, the Warriors have cemented their dynasty in NBA history. The team is an example for young people, showing that if you can work together, you can accomplish anything. These finals against the talented Cleveland Cavaliers were a thrill to watch. We saw basketball at its best, incredible talent, and a real passion from both sides. Thank you to the Warriors for making our dreams of another championship a reality. This remarkable team has made history as one of the best ever. I want to extend my thanks to Coach Steve Kerr for his tremendous leadership, as well as the entire Warriors organization. Today, the bay area is celebrating our remarkable team in my beautiful City of Oakland, as in Oaktown, and I know that my late mother, Mildred Massey, who was a loyal Warriors fan, is smiling down on us. Go Warriors. Go Oakland. Go Dub Nation.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. It is Lee amendment No. 26.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, first, let me thank our Rules Committee chair, Mr. Sessions, also our ranking member, Mr. McGovern, as well as all of the members of the committee for making this amendment in order. My amendment is very straightforward. It would cut the $65 million included in this bill for low-yield nuclear weapons and transfer it to the defense nuclear nonproliferation account. My amendment strikes one of the most harmful and controversial recommendations of the Trump Nuclear Posture Review. Mr. Chairman, funding this warhead would set a dangerous precedent. The last thing we should do is arm our submarines with a low-yield ballistic missile. We have never done this before in the many decades of nuclear deterrence, and there is absolutely no reason to start now. What is worse, this warhead lowers the threshold for nuclear weapons use and puts us on a dangerous path to war. At a time when we should be reducing the threat of nuclear war, we are doing just the opposite. While the Trump administration claims that another low-yield warhead would help deter Russia from using these weapons first, that is far from the truth. In fact, funding this nuclear weapon could only provoke Russia and heighten the risk of nuclear war. Let me be clear: This additional funding is both unnecessary, and it is dangerous. Our Nation already processes hundreds of low-yield warheads. In the coming decades, we will invest another $150 billion despite the fact that we already have the capacity really to destroy the world many times over. This is a waste of money and a danger to our national security. Instead of provoking another nuclear arms race with Russia, we should be investing in diplomacy and disarmament. The $65 million would be better spent at the DOE's nuclear nonproliferation program which secures nuclear material both here at home and globally. It is hard to think of a more vital national security issue than protecting and securing nuclear material, and yet Republicans have cut funding for that important program by $97 million from fiscal year 2018. This is dangerous and, again, does nothing for our national security. Rather than fund another low-yield nuclear weapon that we don't need, we should use the $65 million to increase nuclear nonproliferation accounts and prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. That is exactly why my amendment is so important, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, how much time do I have remaining?

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of Ranking Member Lowey, I move to strike the last word.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, let me just say a couple of things. Our country should not expand the number of scenarios under which the United States might consider the use of nuclear weapons. We should never be in a position that the U.S. is using nuclear weapons first, which would lead us to a catastrophic war. I think Members on both sides of the aisle can agree to this, and I urge my colleagues to support this critical amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi).

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Lowey for yielding and for her tireless leadership. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this shameful bill--H.R. 3--that would cut vital life-saving programs and hurt the American people. Just months after the ink is dry on our nation's largest tax scam in history--Republicans are balancing their $1.5 trillion deficit on the backs of struggling families. This is a disgrace. This shameful bill eliminates funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by $7 billion. Mr. Speaker, this bill literally steals health care from the most vulnerable children in America. H.R. 3 also deeply cuts funds for programs that create jobs, help the grow the economy, and lift more families out of poverty, like the Community Development Financial Institution. And, this bill continues Republicans' assault on the climate change and green energy. By slashing billions of dollars from Energy Efficiency Programs, Republicans are not only hurting our environment, they're also hurting our economy. I thought Republicans wanted to create jobs, Mr. Speaker? Then why are we voting on a bill that will take jobs away? Mr. Speaker, the American people deserve better. Instead of pulling the rug out from under from the most vulnerable, we should be creating jobs, boosting our economy and lifting more families out of poverty. But this bill does just the opposite. So, I urge my colleagues to vote `no' on this cruel and mean-spirited bill.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Chair, I thank Ranking Member Lowey for yielding and for her tireless work. Mr. Chair, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I rise in strong opposition to this bill--H.R. 5895--the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy and Water, Leg Branch, and MilconVA spending bills. This Republican minibus fails to protect the health, security, and safety of the American people. And really, this bill is an attempt to block critical funding for education, health, and the economic security. Once again, Republicans are funding defense at the expense of priorities here at home. This is shameful and short-sighted. Mr. Chair, the Pentagon does not need more funding. A Washington Post report in 2016 exposed $125 billion in waste, fraud and abuse at the Pentagon. But rather than come clean, leaders at the Pentagon chose to bury the report and continue wasting taxpayer dollars. Yet, Republicans want to increase Defense spending by $17 billion. Mr. Chair--instead of making defense contractors even richer, how about we start helping struggling families home at home? At a time when we should invest robustly in the American people, Republicans are doing just the opposite. The partisan bill before us cuts vital clean energy initiatives, attacks job-creating investments, and slashes funds for nuclear non- proliferation efforts. All this bill does is make it harder to grow the economy and for hardworking Americans to succeed. By flat funding four of our most important domestic spending bills-- including Labor, HHS, and Education, the funding subcommittee I sit on--there will be less money for job training, education, and public health. This is a shame, Mr. Chair. And I am sad to say that with the flat funding of many of our bills-- people will lose out. Ameicans want good-paying jobs. They want to be able to see a doctor when they're sick. They want safe schools to send their kids to. But instead, Republicans keep shortchanging families so that billionaires, polluters and defense contractors can pad their pockets. This bill is a disgrace. I urge my colleagues to vote no.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our ranking member for yielding and for his tremendous leadership on defense issues and so many other issues that are critical to our national and domestic security. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule and to H.R. 5515, which is the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. This bill authorizes $717 billion in defense spending. Yet we know that there is at least $150 billion in waste, fraud, and abuse currently over at the Pentagon. Now we are giving them more money. Shame on us. This is an already out-of-control, bloated Pentagon budget. It would also increase funding to $69 billion for wars that Congress has never debated or voted on. Once again, my Republican colleagues have used off-the-books spending gimmicks to further expand the bloated Pentagon budget. Enough is enough, Mr. Speaker. Instead of writing blank checks to the Pentagon, Congress needs to live up to its constitutional obligation to debate matters of war and peace. Yesterday I offered an amendment to sunset the 2001 and 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force after 8 months of enactment. Congress would have 8 months to debate and vote on a new AUMF before the repeal. Eight months is plenty of time. Mr. Speaker, we passed the 2001 AUMF within 3 days, mind you. Last week, of course, Speaker Ryan--and I say at the orders of Donald Trump--undemocratically stripped our bipartisan 2001 sunset amendment when the Defense Appropriations bill came before us. When in the world will this body have the backbone to debate the costs and consequences of these wars? Our brave troops deserve better. We need to do our job. I am pleased, though, that some of my amendments and others passed last night--which are very important amendments. They include clarifying that nothing in this bill can be construed as authorizing force against North Korea--that is the use of military force. Also we included reporting requirements for auditing the Pentagon. We need the Pentagon audited so that taxpayers will really begin to know where their hard-earned tax dollars are going and what weapons systems they are contributing to in terms of the building of weapons systems which probably will never be used, a report and update on the United States-Kabul compact, and also overseas contingency operations reporting requirements. Can you believe we are spending all this money on a slush fund through OCO, and we don't know what is going on with that account? The underlying bill is still a disgrace.