Barbara Lee

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, this was very undemocratic and underhanded, and it makes me wonder: What is the Speaker afraid of? So I asked for my amendment to be debated and voted on on the House floor, and again Republican leadership refused--really a shame. Our brave troops deserve us to come together and do this so that they know that their country has their back. I voted against the 2001 authorization because I believe it opened the door for any President to wage endless war without a congressional debate or vote. Quite frankly, unfortunately, history has borne that out. According to the Congressional Research Service report, the 2001 AUMF has been used more than 37 times in 14 countries to justify military action. This report examines only unclassified incidents, and it was conducted 3 years ago. So how many other operations have been conducted without the knowledge of Congress or the American people? These authorizations have also been used to justify perpetual wars that are thousands of miles away. I will conclude by saying that now any President--any President--can unilaterally wage war under this outdated authorization forever, really, until it is repealed. Now we have an administration bent on increasing our presence in Afghanistan and never leaving Syria, both wars that the American public know nothing about. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill, and reject this wasteful spending.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding and for that gracious introduction, but, more importantly, for his magnificent leadership and for constantly looking out for working men and women throughout the country. I also thank him very much for bringing us together this evening to discuss the Supreme Court case, Janus v. AFSCME. Mr. Speaker, as we remember the man and the movement which transformed the soul of America, we must never forget that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., fought for economic justice and workers' rights. A few months before Dr. King's assassination, two young African- American workers were crushed to death by a faulty truck in Memphis. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees-- AFSCME--union members went on strike, and Dr. King was right there with them, leading and lending his support. In a speech to the sanitation workers on strike, Dr. King explained why he was there. He said: ``Now our struggle is for genuine equality, which means economic equality. For we know that it isn't enough to integrate lunch counters. What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn't earn enough money to buy a hamburger . . . ?'' Now, 50 years after Dr. King's tragic assassination after standing up for economic justice and fighting to end poverty, the Supreme Court is taking up a case that would gut union rights. Make no mistake, the Supreme Court case, Janus v. AFSCME, is a political scheme to further endanger the rights of working people. This case is yet another attempt by billionaires and corporations to stop working people from joining unions altogether. This case will gut the very protections that are the fabric of our society, and that is our unions. More than 16 million people are represented by a union, from teachers, firefighters, and nurses, to postal workers, and many more. Unions help improve lives. They increase wages. They lift families out of poverty. They fight for safe working conditions and well-deserved benefits. Unions are especially critical to communities of color. For too long, African Americans have been locked out of wage increases because of discriminatory practices. But for African Americans who do join unions, they earn 15 percent more than their nonunion counterparts. African- American women, in particular, earn an average of $22 an hour compared to $17 an hour in a nonunion job, and those wages make a huge difference for families. Plain and simple, unions provide a path to the American Dream and the middle class for working people. Unfortunately, as union membership has decreased because of attacks on working people, income inequality has risen. From 1973 to 2007, as more States started forcing working people off of unions, income inequality rose by one-third. That is shameful. So, Mr. Speaker, the Janus case before the Supreme Court now threatens the economic security of families all across the country. This case will go against what the American public wants. More than three in five Americans know the importance of labor unions, yet here we are having to defend their very existence. This is outrageous. So we must ensure that working people, people of color, everyone, continue to have the right to join a union. It is the right thing for our economy. It is the right thing for our communities. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for leading this very important Special Order tonight.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to honor the McClymonds High School Warriors football team, which recently won its second straight state championship, becoming the first Oakland high school to accomplish such a feat. McClymonds High in West Oakland, known as ``Mac'', has a proud history of academic and athletic excellence going back generations. Luminaries such as MLB all-star Curt Flood, hall of famer Frank Robinson, and NBA legend Bill Russell all attended McClymonds before going on to achieve greatness in their respective sports. Last year, the McClymonds Warriors football team became the first high school team in Oakland's history to win a state championship, when they prevailed over La Jolla Country Day School in the State's 5A division finals. This year it was certainly the return of the Mac, as the Warriors continued their dominance, remaining undefeated during the regular season. In fact, the team has been undefeated in Oakland Athletic League games dating back to 2009. Following the regular season, the Warriors met Visalia's Golden West High School Trailblazers in the state Division 5AA football championship, and prevailed in an impressive 42-12 victory to earn their second statewide championship in back-to-back years. The team is led by Coach Mike Peters, who has fostered in his athletes a commitment to excellence and a strong desire to succeed both on the field and in their studies. I commend Coach Peters and his staff for their efforts to promote the development of the McClymonds Warriors football team. I also want to thank all of the team's family and friends for providing unwavering support of these wonderful student athletes. Lastly, I want to recognize the members of the 2017 McClymonds Warriors football team, and let them know how proud we are of what they have accomplished: Emoreea Fountain; Columbus Lewis; Albert Mitchell; Jamar Julien; Charles Alberty; Ja'vanz Dornners; K'aun Green; Angelo Edgerly; Gary Alexander, Jr.; Dwayne Washington; Semaj Sims; Cory Hayes; Edward Woods; Da'veonne Sanders; Day'marr Johnson; Peter Diaz; Monte Smith; D'Shun White; Damon Gardner, Jr.; Montrell Smith; Kelvin Dunn, Jr.; Earl Hollimon; Islee Cassidy; James Willoughby; Huruma Zulu; Ramone Sanders; Mark Hoching; Yaheem Brown; Amani Trigg-Wright; Usama Alomaisi; Andrew Diamond; Jaylen Williams; Charles Joseph; Ramone Kelly; Rashawn Jackson; Xavier Sanders. Congratulations to the McClymonds High School Warriors 2017 Football Champions. You have made Oakland proud.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the remarkable accomplishment of the McClymonds High School football team located in my congressional district. McClymonds High School capped off a 14-0 season on December 10, 2017, with its second consecutive 5AA championship, after defeating Visalia's Golden West 42-12. By winning two State championships in consecutive years, McClymonds became the first team in the Oakland Athletic League to achieve this impressive feat. Now, McClymonds High School is a historic public high school in the West Oakland community of my district, with a strong history of athletic excellence. NBA legend Bill Russell and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson have graced the halls of McClymonds High School. Coach Michael Peters has carried forth the same tradition of excellence since 1992 and has continuously worked to ensure that his athletes succeed on the field but, most importantly, succeed in the classroom. These young athletes represent the spirit, the resilience, and the passion of Oakland. Please join me in congratulating their historic championship win.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding and for his tremendous leadership on so many issues. Madam Speaker, I stand in strong opposition to this bill, which is really just another attempt to criminalize abortion and limit access to the full range of reproductive healthcare for women. This so-called Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act is another cynical attack on a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions. It is unnecessary and it simply pitches a false narrative to the American people in order to intimidate women and providers. Madam Speaker, in 2002, Congress passed a bill with broad bipartisan support that acknowledges the rights of any child born alive in this country, and affirms that any infant should receive appropriate medical care. That is a given, and everyone believes that. Republicans are distorting the truth about current law. This legislation before us is a step too far. It interferes with medical practice by enforcing extreme new standards of care through criminal and civil penalties on providers.

Ms. LEE. In conclusion, I would just like to say that no woman should have a politician interfering in her personal health decisions. They should be made between her and her medical provider, period. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this very cynical and sinister bill and to get out of the business of interfering in women's health.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman for yielding and, once again, for her tremendous leadership on so many issues as our ranking member. Now, I serve as a member of the Appropriations and the Budget Committees, and I rise in strong opposition to this rule and the continuing resolution. I just want to make one comment before I start my statement with regard to what was just said about Democrats shutting down the government. First of all, there is no way that Democrats are voting to shut down the government, given the fact that the Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House. The numbers just aren't there for Democrats to do this. So I hope that people on the other side-- Republicans and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle--will be honest about that because there is no way, given the numbers and given the composition of the House, the Senate, and the White House, that Democrats can do that. This bill kicks the can down the road for the fourth time, mind you, since October. Republicans control, again, as I said, the three bodies: the House, the Senate, White House. The least they could do is honor the basic responsibility of being in the majority, and that is to keep the government open. Sadly, they continue to drive this country to the brink of one avoidable, self-inflicted crisis after another. This short-term resolution ignores--ignores--urgent bipartisan priorities that Democrats have been pushing for months with Republicans, the most urgent of which is passing a clean Dream Act. DACA recipients are American in every way except on paper, and right now, their lives are hanging in the balance. Every day Congress fails to take action, 122 DACA recipients lose their protections. It is time to put politics aside and pass a clean Dream Act immediately. Mr. Speaker, this continuing resolution is really irresponsible and it is morally bankrupt. It fails to honor the temporary protected status for immigrants. It fails to raise budget caps equally for defense and nondefense spending. It fails to fund community health centers. It neglects to provide desperately needed funding for hurricane- and wildfire-impacted communities, the opioid epidemic, community health centers, and our veterans. This bill underscores the majority's complete lack of regard for everyday Americans and struggling families. Continuing resolutions leave the American people out on a limb with no confidence, mind you, in their Federal Government. This resolution makes it clear that is just what Republicans want to do. The American people sent us to Congress to govern in their best interest. Unfortunately, this CR is just the opposite. It is completely irresponsible.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, this CR does nothing--nothing--to help create jobs, better wages, and ultimately a better future for our children and our families. It is really clear to me that the delay on this bill is because some House Republicans are in Pennsylvania. I was shocked when I learned this. They are in Pennsylvania with the President at a political rally. What is that about? They should be here in Washington, D.C., to do their job. Shame on them. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this rule and the bill.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to Attorney General Sessions' unproductive and backwards marijuana policies. By rescinding the Cole memorandum on legal marijuana enforcement, Jeff Sessions proved that he has one goal as Attorney General, and that is reviving the failed war on drugs. These policies have proven to be devastating for communities of color. For example, African Americans are four times more likely to be arrested and incarcerated for marijuana possession than their White counterparts. Instead of embracing outdated drug laws, the Attorney General should be working to create a criminal justice system that treats everyone fairly. What is worse, by going after legal marijuana businesses and consumers, the Attorney General is really showing a blatant disregard for the will of the American people who have voted, mind you, in their States for more reasonable and fairer laws. That is why I am proud to introduce H.R. 4779. Actually, we introduced it last week, along with my friend, Congressman Don Young. It is a bipartisan bill called the REFER Act, which would prevent harmful Federal overreach. Also, today we are introducing a bill that will end the Federal prohibition.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the tremendous advocacy of two UC Berkeley students whose diligent work mobilized graduate students around the country against the greatest tax scam in American history. When President Trump and Congressional Republicans introduced legislation to reform the tax code, many of us recognized it for what it was--a blatant attempt to provide millionaires and billionaires with large tax breaks, while eliminating many of the provisions that provide the working class and the poor with means to improve their standing in society. This terrible bill, passed without proper debate and process just before the holidays, will permanently stack the deck in favor of the rich and well-connected. In fact, we know that 83 percent of the bill's benefits go to the richest 1 percent of our society. To pay for these unnecessary tax breaks for the rich, the bill adds more than $1 trillion to the national debt--a debt that our children and generations to come will continue to bear. In the face of this immoral redistribution of wealth to the rich, people around the country were rightfully outraged, and many of my constituents were strongly opposed to its passage. In particular, I would like to recognize two of my constituents for their efforts to highlight a particularly damaging section of the original bill, and commend them for their actions to have it removed from the final package. Soon after the horrible GOP tax bill was introduced, Vetri Velan, a physics PhD student at UC Berkeley, developed an analysis of the bill. With the majority of doctoral and master students receiving institutional or fee waivers, Vetri realized that if tuition remissions were deemed taxable, graduate students could see their tax bill grow by 200 percent. It would also make it harder, and even impossible, for low or middle-income students to attend graduate school. Vetri partnered with Kathy Shield, a fellow Cal student pursuing a Nuclear Engineering PhD to develop a tax calculator allowing any graduate student to determine their new tax liability under the House proposal. This allowed students to write and call their elected officials with specific information about the negative impact of the new tax bill. And they didn't stop there. Vetri and Kathy then organized graduate students at UC Berkley and around the country to contact 87 offices in 18 states to express outrage over this provision. Because of their great work this harmful provision was removed from the final bill. Vetri & Kathy have saved thousands of dollars for graduate students across the country, and have ensured many hard working students will continue to have access to graduate school. On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I'd like to thank Vetri and Kathy for their exceptional work to ensure all students have equal access to higher education, and most importantly for staying woke.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Steve Phelps, a life-long educator and administrator who dedicated his career to improving opportunities for students of all backgrounds throughout the Bay Area. Dr. Phelps died on December 26th following complications from heart surgery. Steve Phelps was born on June 9th, 1944 in Los Angeles, but grew up in Oakland. He graduated from San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco, and received his doctorate in educational leadership--a subject which he would put to great use throughout his career. Dr. Phelps began his teaching career in San Francisco. In 1972 he started as a social sciences teacher and coach at St. Ignatius, a private Catholic high school in the Sunset District. He quickly made his mark by working to ensure that students from throughout San Francisco could take advantage of the benefits of St. Ignatius' high quality education. In 1973, Dr. Phelps started SI Uplift, a program aimed at improving the diversity of the student body at St. Ignatius. His efforts to improve diversity including outreach to other elementary schools to encourage minority students to consider St. Ignatius, and he also served as the moderators of the Black Student Union and the Asian Students Coalition. While at St. Ignatius, Dr. Phelps also served as the head of the school's professional development department; ensuring that teachers were able to attain credentials and advanced degrees in order to provide better outcomes for their students. In 2005, Dr. Phelps returned home to Oakland when he took the helm as President of Bishop O'Dowd High School. As president, Dr. Phelps helped improve the school's fundraising record, which enabled O'Dowd to fund the renovation of classrooms, the construction of the Center for Environmental Studies, and to initiate a program to provide all students with laptops--the first of its kind at the time in the Bay Area. Dr. Phelps' leadership also expanded much needed financial aid for students, helping to ensure that cost was not a barrier for families who wanted their children to receive the benefits of a Bishop O'Dowd education. Throughout his life, Dr. Phelps demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the thousands of students in the Bay Area. His work helped strengthen two schools, but his legacy will be the impact that he had on the lives of his students, and all that they are able to achieve through the support that he provided them. On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I'd like to thank Dr. Phelps for his exceptional and distinguished career, and honor his life of service to our district. I send my sincere condolences to his wife, Susan, his children Amy and Chris, and his entire extended family.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Evans for yielding, for that gracious introduction, but, more importantly, for his magnificent leadership. He has come to Congress hitting the ground running, and it truly has been and is in the spirit of Dr. King, so I thank the gentleman very much. And to our chair, Congressman Cedric Richmond, I want to thank him for his steady leadership--and it is steady--of our caucus and for helping us to stay focused on this Special Order on the evenings which we do these to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was and is our drum major for justice. To Congressman John Lewis, I just have to say to him that I owe him a debt of gratitude. I would not be here if it were not for him. And I want to say, on behalf of my young people at the Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Center who have a chance to be with him every year-- now it has been about 17 years--how much he and Congresswoman Terri Sewell--how much they have touched their lives and have turned their lives around, and how they understand now what fighting for justice and peace really means by being part of their efforts and by their mentoring them and teaching them that the beloved community is not only a dream but can be real. So I thank Congressman Lewis so much. It is an honor to know the gentleman and to serve with him. This year, as we remember the man in the movement that transformed really the soul of America, it is really important that we honor the fullness of Dr. King's dream. So while we remember Dr. King's birthday this month, we also are reminded that it was 50 years ago, on April 4, that he lost his life to an assassin's bullet. Dr. King was a crusader for voting rights and peace, but he was also a warrior for economic justice and ending poverty. In fact, one of Dr. King's most memorable speeches, of course, ``I've Been to the Mountaintop,'' it was given in Memphis, Tennessee, at a time when Dr. King was determined to transform the civil rights movement into an intersectional economic justice revolution. A few months before his death, two young African-American workers were crushed to death by a faulty truck in Memphis. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFSCME, union members went on strike, and Dr. King was right there with them lending his support. In a speech to the sanitation workers on strike, Dr. King explained why he was there. He said: ``Now, our struggle is for genuine equality, which means economic equality.'' Dr. King said that to thousands gathered at Mason Temple. He said: ``For we know that it isn't enough to integrate lunch counters. What does it profit a man to be able to eat at an integrated lunch counter if he doesn't earn enough money to buy a hamburger . . . ?'' Dr. King had come to signal the dawn of a new era in the struggle. He was there to stand with workers who were sick and tired of low wages, unsafe working conditions, and the city's refusal to recognize their union. He was there because he believed that labor rights, civil rights, and human rights are one and the same. He was there because he understood the simple truth that there can be no racial justice without economic justice. Tragically, while fighting to secure the American Dream for all Americans, Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Now, that was a day that changed my life. Congresswoman Jackson Lee mentioned where she was. We all remember that moment. I was living in San Jose, California, and was commuting to San Francisco, about an hour away by train. I returned that evening. My car was parked in the train's parking lot. I got off the train, turned on the radio, and the news came through that Dr. King had been killed. Well, I sat in my car for I don't know how long, and I cried. I was shocked like everyone, saddened, and angry. But I was also motivated to fight for the dream that Dr. King envisioned. My job, I quit my job. At that moment, I knew that I had to do something. So I became involved as a community worker with Bobby Seale and the Black Panther Party. But it was Dr. King's assassination that catapulted me into the movement. I was determined to prove that even though the assassin killed the dreamer, he could not kill the dream. Right now in this country, the work that Dr. King went to Memphis to achieve, that work remains unfinished, which is what we intend to complete. Forty-seven million Americans remain locked in poverty. Discrimination and institutional racism continue to hold livable wages hostage, and the economic wealth divide, it grows deeper every day in urban and in rural communities. Now, I represent the 13th Congressional District of California, a great district where there is an explosion of wealth in the bay area, which has recently experienced also a spike in median household income. It is a hub of innovation and creativity, yet, in many ways, it is a tale of two cities. Black households in my district have been locked out of this explosion of wealth. According to the Census Bureau, the median income in the bay area jumped by 9 percent while the median income for Black households inched up just 2 percent. It is not just wealth inequality. Twenty-three percent of Black households are poor, and 43 percent of Black children in my district are considered poor in Oakland. These numbers have remained stagnant year after year after year. This is unacceptable. It is not just my district that experiences this wealth divide. Recent studies show that if trends persist, median Black household wealth could hit zero by 2053. This alarming possibility makes one thing clear: the work to achieve Dr. King's dream must continue, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus tirelessly continue to work both inside this Congress and in our communities because there is still much that we must overcome. As the conscience of the Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus fights every day to dismantle barriers that prevent low-income people, poor people, and people of color from having a fair shot at the American Dream. Dr. King's legacy can be found in our efforts to give communities of color, struggling families, and women a fair shot at improving their basic living standards. There are many bills: Congressman Bobby Scott's bill to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, and Congresswoman Alma Adams' Closing the Meal Gap Act. There are many bills that many members of the Congressional Black Caucus really are championing every single day to ensure that Dr. King's life will be remembered, that his death will not overshadow his life, and that his legacy of fighting, as Dr. King said, to make the promises of democracy real will live on for generations to come.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable life of Mary Alice Cobb-Hill, a singer, and pianist, and impresario of the negro spiritual, who passed away on December 9, 2017. Ms. Hill was born in Oakland, California on March 16, 1945 to Mary Magdalene and Roosevelt Cobb. Her parents instilled in her from an early age a love of music, and in particular the spiritual and gospel music which was a staple of their family worship services. Mary's mother was a teacher, and she imbued the music with a strong understanding of the history behind it, especially the experiences of the black struggles for freedom from slavery. Mary attended Golden Gate Academy in Oakland, and later studied at Merritt and Laney Colleges, along with the Pacific Union. She also took private music lessons in classical opera singing. Mary made the preservation of the Negro spiritual her lifelong passion. Throughout her life, she spent more than 50 years singing and performing in this historical tradition. She also worked to advance the tradition by writing three original musicals, Flowers from Heaven, Dis Train, and The Seven Exaltations of Simeon of Cyrene. In addition to her work as a performer and writer, Ms. Hill also dedicated her life to teaching others about the history and technique of the Negro spiritual. She founded and served as the creative director for the Voices of Legacy, a community choir that performs in churches, schools, and community events, and was selected to perform at the inauguration of then mayor Dianne Feinstein in San Francisco. Through her work as an educator, Ms. Hill has trained scores of new performers and fostered a love of the Negro spiritual tradition in new generations. Through her tireless efforts, Ms. Hill endeavored to use the Negro spiritual tradition to maintain a link between those whose experience and yearning for freedom initially created the music, and modern generations who can learn from that struggle to continue the push for true equality. I am grateful to her for her dedication to promoting African American culture and history, and keeping alive the stories and traditions of our ancestors. Ms. Hill is survived by her husband, Carl, and her daughters Maranatha and Gabrielle, as well as her grandchildren Duane, Josiah, and Nicole. She is also survived by her brothers Paul & Michael, her sisters Gloria Jean, and Sharon, and their families. Today, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, it is my honor to commend the life and achievements of Ms. Mary Alice Cobb- Hill. I offer my sincere gratitude for her continued commitment to promote the arts and arts education, and for the profound legacy she has left in our East Bay community. I also offer my condolences to Ms. Cobb-Hill's family and friends as they cope with this immeasurable loss and join together to celebrate her life.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her tremendous leadership on so many issues as a ranking member. As a member of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, I rise in strong opposition to this continuing resolution, which really could be called the ``Failure to Govern Resolution.'' This bill, as my colleague from Ohio said, shamefully kicks the can down the road once again, this time until January 19. Why? Republicans have been too busy passing the greatest tax scam in history rather than responsibly funding the government. This reckless, short-term resolution ignores our critical year-end priorities like passing a bipartisan, long-term reauthorization of the Children's Health Insurance Program or a DACA program. Every day, 122, DACA recipients are losing their protections. They are afraid. They are fearful. There is so much anxiety. We should not do this today without protecting them. This continuing resolution does not honor the temporary protected status for immigrants. It does not raise the budget caps equally for defense and nondefense spending. Much-needed funding for the opioid epidemic, community health centers, and our veterans is also not included. I could go on and on about the problems with the CR, but I just have to tell you that the reality is this bill, like the tax giveaway, underscores the majority's complete lack of regard for everyday Americans and struggling families. Continuing resolutions leave the American people out on a limb, with no confidence in their Federal Government.

Ms. LEE. I guess we should not be surprised by this approach, since the playbook for this administration from day one has been, as Steve Bannon said early on, that their goal was deconstruction of the administrative state. That is exactly what is happening with this CR. This is unacceptable. By passing a short-term spending bill that entirely neglects urgent and vital needs and underfunds job training, affordable housing, and education, we really are selling the American people short. Unfortunately, this is another effort to disregard the lives of millions of people. It is totally irresponsible, and it does nothing to help create jobs, better wages, or a better future for our children and their families. I urge a ``no'' vote on this bill. We need to begin to try to do our job here.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding and for her tremendous leadership. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill, which really is the greatest tax scam in America's history. It is cruel and it is coldhearted. It steals from the hard-earned paychecks of low- and middle-income families; lines the pockets of millionaires, billionaires, and wealthy corporations; and, yes, it makes it easier for corporations to ship jobs overseas. Now, for weeks, Republicans have been selling the pipe dream that tax cuts for the rich will somehow trickle down and benefit the majority of Americans. That is so far from the truth. Just yesterday, the Tax Policy Center revealed that 83 percent of the tax breaks in this bill go to the top 1 percent. What is worse, 86 million middle-income households will face tax hikes and 13 million Americans will lose healthcare coverage. Mr. Speaker, constituents in my congressional district are afraid of their futures because this tax scam is going to severely devastate families in California. Nearly 2 million Californians stand to lose their State and local deductions if Republicans succeed. This is truly a slap in the face to the American people. Republicans have already and have always, yes, made it clear that this tax scam is a Trojan horse for Republicans to take an axe to Medicare, Social Security, and programs that lift people out of poverty. But the public is not going to let them get away with this. They will remember who is shattering their lives. This bill is ruthless. It makes clear that Republicans only value the lives of the wealthy and their donors. That is whose side they are on. Well, Democrats are on the side of middle- and low-income families who are working hard just to make ends meet, to take care of their children, to make better wages, and who are fighting for a better future. Mr. Speaker, we should oppose this bill and this rule. It is really a raw deal for the American people. The public knows whose side we are on, and the public knows whose side that the Republicans are on.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, today I rise with a very heavy heart upon learning of the passing of a great human being: San Francisco's Mayor Ed Lee. My thoughts and prayers are with his family--his wife, Anita, and two daughters--and the entire city and county of San Francisco and the bay area. My condolences are also with Leader Pelosi and Congresswoman Jackie Speier, two San Francisco leaders who loved Ed and will miss him tremendously. Ed was an unshakable champion for social justice, a tireless public servant, and, personally, a friend. He always put a smile on my face when he considered me as and called me his sister, being two Lees. He was such a kind and thoughtful person and a truly great leader. Even before he was mayor, Ed was a champion for the people of San Francisco as a community organizer and a civil rights attorney. As the first Asian-American mayor of San Francisco, he broke new ground for the city. As mayor, he fought to expand affordable housing, address the homelessness crisis, and ensure that residents could earn a living wage. Ed will be missed tremendously. He helped so many people in his life and he touched so many lives. Mayor Lee set the higher standards for mayors and all elected officials as a true public servant. As we grieve, we take comfort in knowing that he has left an inspiring and lasting legacy of uplifting and empowering families. We will always remember his beautiful smile and his passion for making life better for others. May his soul rest in peace.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Kelly for her tremendous leadership on so many fronts, especially as chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust and for her tireless work in helping us focus on the fact that gun violence should be treated as a public health crises and that it is just that. Congress needs to do something to stop this epidemic of gun violence that is destroying so many communities all around the country. On an average day, 93 innocent lives in America are cut short, due to gun violence. These senseless deaths also disproportionately impact communities of color. As a Representative from California's 13th Congressional District, I know all too well the devastating impact that gun violence has on our communities. In fact, the Center for Disease Control recently reported that African-American children have the highest rates of firearm mortality overall. They are about 10 times more likely than White children to be killed by guns. Latino children are twice as likely as White children to be killed by guns. But no child--and I mean no child--regardless of their background, wealth, ZIP Code, or race, should be killed by gun violence. No child. It pains me, and I know it pains their parents and family members, to know that such promising young people have left us too soon. Tonight, let me just read the names of a few of Oakland's children who have lost their lives to gun violence this year: Anibal Andres Ramirez, who was only 13. He was Oakland's youngest gun victim this year. He was shot outside the new Walnut Plaza community center in east Oakland. Luis Urquidez, who was 17 when his friend accidentally shot him. What in the world was that gun doing around this young boy? Deangelo Hal, who was 17 when he, once again, accidentally shot himself with a stolen gun. Keith Lawrence, who was 17 and a student at Skyline High School. Keith was found shot dead in a parking lot. Soane Mausia, who was 18 when he and his brother were shot by men outside of their east Oakland home. Joaquin Byrd, who was 18 and also a student at Skyline High School. He was shot during a fight at a fast food restaurant. Sultan Bey, who was 18. He was college-bound and had dreams of becoming a computer engineer. He was shot while picking up a friend. Mr. Speaker, this only happens in America. There are too many guns in America. At some point, we have to stand up and say: Enough is enough. Let me say that 5 years ago this week, a deranged gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School and massacred 20 children--20 beautiful elementary school children, whom we continue to remember, murdered in cold blood. Yet Republicans in Congress refuse to lift a finger in support of legislation to prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening. Shame on every Republican who chooses devotion to the NRA over the lives of Americans. We simply must take action to bring commonsense gun reform to our Nation's gun laws. That is what the American people sent us here to do, to govern in their best interest. That is why we stand here tonight with Congresswoman Kelly and demand that the Speaker take action and bring commonsense legislation for a vote. Give us a vote, Mr. Speaker.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm against the Federal Communications Commission's misguided proposal to repeal net neutrality rules. Now, let me be clear. Net neutrality rules protect Americans' access to an open, free, and fair internet. The rules prevent internet companies from blocking websites or slowing down their load time simply because they disagree with what the website says. Repealing them would be undemocratic and very dangerous. What is worse, we know that gutting net neutrality would have a detrimental impact on communities of color. From entrepreneurs to social justice advocates, the internet has been a powerful tool for communities of color to help draw attention to injustices in our society. This new proposal will essentially kill this free expression and innovation. This is ridiculous. We can't allow democracy and access to the internet to be restricted in the name of corporate profits. I urge the FCC to reject this plan and stand with the vast majority of Americans who want to keep the internet open and free.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank the gentlewoman for yielding time to me and also for her tremendous leadership on so many issues, especially on the Rules Committee. As a members of the Appropriations and Budget Committees, I rise in strong opposition to this rule and the underlying bill, H.J. Res. 123, the fiscal year 2017 continuing resolution. This bill kicks the can down the road for 2 weeks just so Republicans can continue focusing on the greatest tax scam in history. As Ranking Member Lowey has said: What do Republicans think that they can accomplish in the next 2 weeks that they haven't accomplished in the last 2 months? Well, I say: Except, of course, trying to give tax breaks to their wealthy donors, millionaires, billionaires, and corporations, and raising taxes on middle-income and low-income families. That is what this is about. This reckless, short-term resolution ignores many of our critical year-end priorities, like passing a clean Dream Act, a temporary protective status provision we need in the CR; raising budgetary caps; and emergency disaster funding for hurricanes and wildfires, children's health insurance programs, and community health centers. I could go on and on. That is what we should be debating and what should be in this resolution. Now is not the time for Congress to be asleep at the wheel. We need action, Mr. Speaker, and we need it now. Despite the fact that Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, once again, they refuse to do their job. It is so wrong to string people and communities out not knowing whether their government will function or stay open. How irresponsible can you get? We need to fully fund the government. Across the country, millions of people are living on the edge. Forty million Americans are living in poverty. Millions more are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head.

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. We are passing a short- term funding bill that underfunds education and workforce training at a time that Americans need it the most. Instead, once again, what are they doing? They are taking time to give tax cuts to corporations to send jobs overseas. The American people expect us to create jobs, to strengthen our economy, to provide a basic standard of living for all. With sequester cuts looming, it is past time that we focus on our spending here at home and stop these increases to a bloated military budget, which really does nothing for our national security. Instead of bringing our Nation to the brink of self-inflicted crisis, Republicans should work with us to meet the needs of our Nation and a strong national security, which requires resisting these cuts to our State Department and to our foreign assistance. Unfortunately, this 2- week continuing resolution does just the opposite. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this rule and ``no'' on the underlying bill, and let's do our job. Let's do what the American people expect us to do, and that is to fully fund the government and look out for them in terms of not giving tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires and raising their taxes, because they deserve better from us.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory and service of a pillar of the Oakland community, the Honorable Carter Gilmore. Although Mr. Gilmore passed away in 2006, the Oakland African American Museum and Library will be unveiling an exhibit focused on his life and career on December 9th, 2017. Carter Gilmore was born on May 30th, 1926 in Grapeland, Texas, and served in the US Navy during World War II. In 1947 he married Liz Hampton, and the couple soon moved to Oakland, where Mr. Gilmore worked as a plant manager for Granny Goose Foods. In 1977, Mr. Gilmore made history when he became the first African American elected to the Oakland City Council. During his tenure, which lasted until 1990, Mr. Gilmore made important contributions to the City of Oakland through his role in the creation of the citizen's police review board, and the city's anti-blight ordinance, among many other initiatives and accomplishments. In addition to his work on the City Council, Mr. Gilmore was also an active member of his church, Bethel Missionary Baptist, starting when he first moved to Oakland in the 1950's. Mr. Gilmore's life was guided by a belief that we should all work to improve our communities, and the lives of our neighbors. He was also staunchly committed to civil rights. That belief in social justice led him to join the Alameda branch of the NAACP, and he later served as the chapter president. He also served as president of the NAACP's Northern California division. In 1990, he helped lead the investigation into racial discrimination against African American employees at UPS, resulting in the largest settlement in the NAACP's history to that point. On a personal note, Carter was one of the first people to act as a mentor and advisor to me as I began my career working for Congressman Dellums. He always took time to help clarify issues for me, and he was a true trailblazer who educated our community about the importance of black political power. I will always remember his wise counsel and his friendship. Though Carter Gilmore died in 2006, his trailblazing legacy as the City of Oakland's first African American elected to the City Council continues to inspire younger generations to aspire for heights that they may not have ever considered without his example. Today, the Oakland African American Museum and Library is unveiling an exhibit dedicated to Carter Gilmore's life and legacy. Therefore, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I join the family and friends of Carter Gilmore in celebrating his life of public service. I offer my sincerest gratitude to him for all that he did to pave the way for future generations of community-oriented leaders.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate World AIDS Day. The theme this year is Increasing Impact Through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships. First, I would like to thank Leader Pelosi for her steadfast commitment to fighting HIV and AIDS and for guaranteeing strong United States leadership in this area. As the cofounder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional HIV/ AIDS Caucus with my good friend, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, we have seen significant progress that we have made in the global fight against HIV. Year after year, Congress has come together in a bipartisan way to stop the spread of this disease. From PEPFAR and the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria--which I was very proud to help write--to the Ryan White CARE Act and the Minority AIDS Initiative, the United States has been a global leader in committing the critical resources needed to end this disease both here at home and abroad. Partly due to our efforts, over 20 million people around the world have access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment. Twenty million people getting lifesaving medicine is more than the population of the State of New York. So in memory of those who died much too soon, let's recommit ourselves to ending AIDS by 2030 and realizing an AIDS-free generation.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Robert Lee Brown, Jr., who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 and will be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery for his service to our nation in the United States Army. Robert Lee Brown was born on July 21, 1938, the third child of Robert and Minerva Brown. In his early age, he was baptized in Brodnax, Virginia and received his early education in Brunswick County, Virginia. Mr. Brown and his siblings believed firmly that happiness must be found in service to others and that the most noble professions required public service. His sister was an elementary school teacher. He and his brothers contributed over 100 years of combined military service to our nation. In 1956, Mr. Brown reached the age of 18 and was drafted in the United States Army, initially serving at the Army Depot in Richmond, Virginia. In time, his service took him on tours through Korea, Panama; and he served in Vietnam during the Vietnam. Robert also spent fifteen years of his military service at the Military District of Washington Ceremonies and Special Events in Washington, D.C. where he retired from the United States Army in 1989. After his retirement, he accepted a position as Superintendent of the Soldier's and Airmen's Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. In 1962, Robert Brown married his best friend, Yvonne Mushaw, to whom he devoted 54 years until the day of his passing. Together, Robert and Yvonne had two sons, Darrell and Derreck Brown, both of whom Robert was extremely proud. Following his second retirement, Robert and Yvonne returned to Brodnax, Virginia where he dedicated himself to the Miles Bethel Memorial CME Church as a member of the Steward Board, President of the Men's Chorus, and Chairperson for Ministry of Men. He also offered his skills to Oris P. Jones Funeral Establishment. I want to recognize and offer my condolences to Robert's surviving family: his widow, Yvonne, his son Darrell and daughter-in-law Robin Pena Brown, his son Derreck and friend Christopher Johnson; aunts, Alma Jenkins-Davis, and Mary Boyd-Lewis Salley; brothers, Willard Tanner (Christine) and James Brown (Bessie); brother-in-law, Frederick Mushaw (Shirley); sister-in-law, Josephine Tanner; and cousins, nieces and nephews. Today, on behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I join the family and friends of Robert Lee Brown, Jr. in celebrating his life of service and sacrifice. I offer my sincerest gratitude to Mr. Robert Lee Brown, Jr. for his selfless dedication to our nation.

Ms. LEE

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm about our deepening military operations in Somalia. This Monday, the United States conducted its 30th airstrike in Somalia since Donald Trump took office. This number is almost greater than the amount of airstrikes President Obama conducted in 8 years in office. What is worse, we now have the largest United States presence in Somalia since 1993--some 500 United States troops--which has doubled in 2017 alone. Mr. Speaker, why are we conducting so many airstrikes and ramping up our military presence in Somalia with no congressional oversight? Why are we sending our troops to fight a war that the American people know nothing about? Congress has been left in the dark about these operations. At a minimum, we should have some basic knowledge of the missions we are asking our servicemembers to risk their lives for. But we know it is not just Somalia. These U.S. shadow wars are taking place all across the world, as we saw so tragically in Niger last month. Mr. Speaker, we need to rip up the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force and hold a real debate and vote on these new, ongoing wars. The people deserve to know the costs and consequences of these wars. Yes, Congress has been missing in action once again. We owe it to our servicemembers to do our job.