Ted Lieu

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, this morning, Donald Trump wrote on Twitter: ``Remember Republicans, the Democrats already had 17 witnesses. We were given none. Witnesses are up to the House, not up to the Senate.'' Both of his statements are false. In the House, there were multiple Republican-requested witnesses that testified under oath, some of them on national TV, and they were cross-examined by both Democrat and Republican committee members. In addition, under our Constitution, it is the Senate that runs trials. And Americans understand that in a trial you have witnesses and documents. In fact, a recent poll showed that 75 percent of Americans want the U.S. Senate to call in witnesses, witnesses like John Bolton. You know who runs trials without witnesses? Saudi Arabia. So my message to the U.S. Senate, controlled by Republicans, is very simple: Be like America. Don't be like Saudi Arabia.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Ken Miller--a beloved husband, father, and grandfather--who passed away on January 19, 2020 at the age of 97. Ken was a beloved community member who formerly served as the Mayor of the City of Torrance in my congressional district. Born on August 20, 1922 in Torrance, California, Ken remains the only Mayor of Torrance to have been born in Torrance. After graduating high school in 1941, Ken joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in China, Burma, and India during World War II. Upon the conclusion of the war, Ken returned to his education, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Occidental College. He later received his teaching credential from the University of Southern California. Shortly after receiving his credential, Ken discovered a love for real estate and founded Ken Miller Realty. Ken met his wife, Judy, in 1952, and they married that same year. Ken's career in local government began with his service on the Torrance Planning Commission from 1960 to 1962. Ken went on to serve as a City Councilmember from 1962 to 1970. Following his service on the City Council, Ken was elected Mayor in 1970. Ken served two terms as the Mayor of Torrance, leaving office in 1978. During his tenure as Mayor, Ken successfully spearheaded efforts to impose a two-term limit on the mayoral office through changes to the City Charter. The City of Torrance also owes much of its park space to Ken and his efforts to acquire land for public use. While in office, Ken helped to establish the Torrance Sister City Association, a program that aims to foster relationships between two different countries. Through his efforts, the City of Torrance developed a relationship with the City of Kashiwa, Japan that still exists today. After ending his political career, Ken co-founded South Bay Bank in 1982, serving as a chairman until 2007. Ken's civic service commitments extend to his presidency of the Torrance-Lomita Board of Realtors, his board membership at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, and his presidency of the Switzer Center Board of Directors. In 1990, the City of Torrance honored Ken with the Jared Sidney Torrance Award. Ken is survived by his wife, Judy, their three children, Randy, Jim, and Cathy, six grandchildren, and one great-grandson, whom I hope take comfort in the way Ken lived his life serving the city that he loved. Torrance loved him back. May his memory be a blessing to us all.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, yesterday the House released additional documents and new text messages from Lev Parnas. He is an associate of Donald Trump's personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani. He has also been indicted. These documents and text messages show a chilling picture of surveillance, both physical and electronic, of the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. This is all the more reason why we need to have a full and fair trial in the United States Senate. The House today is going to transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate. Donald Trump was impeached for abusing his power and for soliciting interference in our elections from a foreign government. He will be branded for the rest of his life. It is permanent, it will not go away, and now we need the Senate to act and have a fair trial. That means witnesses and documents. If they do not do that, it will be the equivalent of a coverup.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise because it is one of the highest forms of patriotism to speak out when a government engages in reckless military action that could lead us to war. I previously served in Active Duty in the United States military, and the goal of any military action should be to make us more safe, not less safe. Unfortunately, as a result of Donald Trump's impulsive decisionmaking, the following negative consequences have happened. Iran is no longer abiding by any limits on its nuclear program. The Iranian people who previously were protesting their own leadership have now rallied behind their government. The Iraqi parliament recently voted to kick U.S. troops out of their country, one of the goals of Iran. And we have had to stop counterterrorism actions against ISIS. This was a lose-lose-lose decision. We don't need the President to make any more reckless decisions. We don't need him to tweet out flag pictures. We need the President to articulate a coherent Iran strategy, which he still has failed to do.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Engel for his leadership. I previously served in Active Duty in the United States military, and if we are going to put our troops in harm's way, we better have a strategy. Unfortunately, we don't have a strategy from the Trump administration. We just have reckless and impulsive decisionmaking by the President. Let me just ask a very simple question: What are our goals with Iran? Is it to get them to come back to the negotiating table on the nuclear program? Well, we are further away from that goal now because they have announced they are no longer going to abide by limits on the nuclear program. Is the goal to get the regime to collapse? We are further from that goal, too, because the Iranian people who previously were protesting their government are rallying behind their leadership. Or is the goal to work with our allies to contain Iran? Well, we are further away from that goal, too, because the Iraqi parliament just voted to kick us out of their country. Madam Speaker, we are less safe than we were a week ago. Vote ``yes'' on this bipartisan resolution.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Mr. Denny Chen, a beloved member of California's 33rd Congressional District, who passed away at the age of 81 on November 15, 2019 in Torrance, California. Denny's dental practice has served South Bay residents for more than 30 years. Born on November 24, 1937 in Taiwan's Sanxia District, Denny graduated from Keelung High School and attended Taiwan's National Defense Medical University. Denny then served as a naval officer in the Republic of China Navy for 10 years before starting a private dental practice in 1969 in Taipei, Taiwan. Denny moved his family to the United States in 1978, where he enrolled at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. He received his degree and opened his dental practice in Torrance in 1981, where he served the South Bay community for 33 years until his retirement in 2014. Denny's family moved to Rancho Palos Verdes in 1989. Whether playing golf, ballroom dancing, or singing, Denny enjoyed the wonderful life he led and the people with whom he spent it. Denny is survived by his wife, Salina; stepson, Ben, and his wife, May; son, Peter, and his wife, Cindy; and three grandchildren: Kirk, Mark, and Priscilla. May his memory be a blessing to all the patients he cared for over the years and lives he touched in the community.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Nadler for his leadership. Let's start by making this very simple. No one in America could do what Donald Trump did and get away with it. No American elected official can call up a foreign government and ask for an investigation of a political opponent. No Member of Congress can call up a foreign official and ask for help in our reelection campaign. If we did that, we would likely get indicted. No one is above the law, and the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. I first swore an oath to the Constitution when I joined the United States Air Force on Active Duty. The oath I took was not to a political party or to a President or to a king; it was to a document that has made America the greatest nation on Earth, and that document contains a safeguard for when the President's abuse of power is so extreme that it warrants impeachment. We are not here because of policy disputes. While I disagree with the President, I acknowledge he has the right to restrict the number of refugees entering our country, he has the right to eliminate environmental executive orders, and he has the right to sign a bill that has given tax breaks to the wealthy. But the President does not have the right to cheat and to solicit foreign interference in our elections. That is illegal, it is not what the voters elected him to do, and we will not stand for it. The President's actions in this case were particularly insidious, because he also used our government for his private gain. He conditioned taxpayer-funded military aid and a critical White House meeting with the Ukrainian president on the requirement that Ukraine publicly announce an investigation into his opponent. And by harming Ukrainian national security, the President also harmed U.S. national security. Then, the President solicited foreign interference again on the south lawn of the White House when he again asked Ukraine to investigate his political opponent. Then, he asked China, our peer competitor, to do the same. That abuse of power is not acceptable. Whether or not the Senate convicts, the House has an independent duty to do the right thing. That is why we have passed over 275 bipartisan bills that are stuck in the Senate. Whether impeaching or legislating, we will continue to be faithful to the Constitution, regardless of what the Senate may or may not do. Moreover, impeachment is a form of deterrence. Our children are watching. No President ever wants to be impeached. Whether Donald Trump leaves in 1 month, 1 year, or 5 years, this impeachment is permanent. It will follow him around for the rest of his life. History books will record it, and the people will know why we impeached. It is all very simple. No one is above the law, not our Commander in Chief, not our President.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate Mr. George Wolfberg, a longtime community leader in California's 33rd Congressional District who will receive the Pride of the Palisades award from the Pacific Palisades Community Council. George worked for the City of Los Angeles for 37 years and played a hand in its bid for the 1984 Summer Olympics, divestment from South Africa over apartheid, and rewriting of the city charter. Born on April 22, 1938 to Bernard Wolfberg and Leah Wolfberg, George was raised in Los Angeles, attending Los Angeles High School and the University of California, Los Angeles, where he received his degree in political science. George and his wife, Diane, married on February 9, 1964 and went on to have three children: Anya, David, and Michael, and four grandchildren. George began working for the city of Los Angeles in 1961 in the City Administrative Office, where he eventually rose to Chief Administrative Analyst, the highest non-appointed position in the office. In that role, he prepared Los Angeles' successful bid for the 1984 Summer Olympics and worked to ensure infrastructure upgrades were completed for the event. He also administered the City's anti-apartheid program, overseeing the research necessary to ensure successful divestment from South Africa under apartheid. Even after he retired, George continued to play an outsized role in city government, serving as City Charter Commission Research Director and co-authoring the City's administrative code. The neighborhood of Pacific Palisades in some ways owes George a debt for its development. George helped craft and implement the Los Angeles Community Plan that has guided the growth and land use of Pacific Palisades and will for years to come. In addition to serving as Chair, Chair-Emeritus, and Vice Chair on the Pacific Palisades Community Council, he served on the board of the Santa Monica Canyon Civic Association and Portrero Canyon Park citizens advisory committee, calling attention to the importance of proper landscape design and infrastructure. Even from his bed in the ICU this past September, George has been contacting Los Angeles city staff and officials to support a new park in his neighborhood. George's passion for engaging the youth is evident through his work on the Los Angeles County Bicycle Advisory Committee, service as a Watts Friendship Sports League commissioner following the 1992 riots, and efforts with the local American Youth Soccer Organization, where he was a National Referee still overseeing games as recently as last year. George has also received numerous awards for his volunteer work, including the Pacific Palisades Community Council's Citizen of the Year award in 2011. George's impact in Los Angeles and Pacific Palisades is remarkable and inspiring. I want to thank and recognize George for his efforts to improve his community and outstanding leadership throughout his career.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, the House of Representatives this year has had one of the most productive sessions in U.S. history. We have passed over 275 bipartisan bills to the United States Senate. Let me just say that again: We have passed over 275 bipartisan bills to the United States Senate. Unfortunately, the Republican-led Senate has not gotten around to letting these bills go for a vote. Some of these bills include commonsense legislation such as the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization, the Save the Internet Act, Securing America's Federal Elections Act, the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, the Climate Action Now Act, the Paycheck Fairness Act, and the Raise the Wage Act. It is time for the do-nothing Republicans to start doing their jobs.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Huffman for his leadership and for supporting this legislation, and I thank Congressman McClintock for supporting this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1487, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Boundary Adjustment Study Act. In the 1970s, Congress established the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area to preserve natural and historic sites and to provide recreational, educational, scientific, and public health benefits to our greater Los Angeles community. Today, it spans more than 150,000 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, including parts of the Santa Monica Bay Watershed in my congressional district. Much of the Santa Monica Bay Watershed, however, remains outside of the national recreation area. This includes several miles of beaches and acres of wetlands that stand to benefit greatly from Federal resources. My bill would commission the National Park Service to conduct a 3- year special resource study to determine whether to expand the boundary of the existing Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area or create a new national recreation area altogether. The study would cover the entire Santa Monica Bay coastline, from Venice Beach to Torrance Beach, as well as the Ballona Wetlands, Ballona Creek, Baldwin Hills, and the San Pedro coastline. While conducting the study, the National Park Service will consult with State and local government groups, community groups, nonprofits, and residents. The study would become a basis for future congressional action to modify the national recreation area borders. Expanding the national recreation area would allow the watershed to benefit from available Federal, scientific, and infrastructure resources, enabling better conservation and recreational use. It would also help Federal agencies enter into cooperative agreements to manage the land and carry out improvement projects aimed at connecting trails, building wildlife corridors, and more. Importantly, all of this would be accomplished without affecting private property rights or creating unfunded mandates on State or local governments. The Los Angeles coastal region stands to benefit tremendously from increased Federal resources to preserve open space for conservation and recreation, and I am proud to have the support of many of my colleagues in the Los Angeles delegation. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 1487.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, today I rise to mark the 50th anniversary of the first message sent over the early internet and the important role played by the University of California, Los Angeles.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Engel and Congressman Smith for their leadership. The United States of America should never be afraid to tell the truth, and yet, for too long, we did not recognize the Armenian genocide. That ends today. The House of Representatives is going to formally recognize the Armenian genocide. Over a century ago, the Ottoman Empire began a plan to systematically exterminate Armenians from their land. 1.5 million Armenians were killed across the Turkish countryside. No amount of revisionist history or lobbying can change those facts. Today is a historic today. Today, we tell the truth and we honor the Armenian genocide.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, to celebrate the life of Mr. Jerry Epstein, who passed away at the age of 96 on September 2, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. Jerry was an integral part of the development of Los Angeles County through his involvement in real estate, construction, and philanthropic causes. Born on August 29, 1923 as the only child of Meyer and Tilda Epstein, Jerry was raised in the Bronx and Mount Vernon, New York. Shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Jerry enlisted in the military, serving as an enlisted man and commissioned officer in the United States Army and Air Force. He flew in B-17 and B-29 bombers and served on active duty during multiple island invasions in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After the war, Jerry enrolled at Emory University, where he met the love of his life, Pat. They were married on December 26, 1948 and celebrated more than 66 years together before she passed on July 22, 2015. In 1949 Jerry and Pat moved to Los Angeles, where Jerry initially worked for Pat's family business. In 1952, Jerry became involved in real estate, including the development and management of multi-family rental apartments, as well as the initial creation and development of Marina del Rey, now the largest pleasure boat harbor community in the world. Jerry took pride in his service on several local and state public bodies focused on transportation infrastructure and public building construction. He was appointed to the Los Angeles County Economy and Efficiency Commission in the 1970s and was the first chairman of the Energy Commission for the City and County of Los Angeles. Jerry also served as a chairman of the California Transportation Commission and vice chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. As a trustee of Saint John's Hospital and Health Center Foundation in Santa Monica for more than 40 years, Jerry felt great pleasure working with the compassionate sisters, doctors, nurses and staff treating and healing patients. Jerry was also chair of the Development Committee that oversaw the $500 million reconstruction of Saint John's after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Philanthropic causes played a big role in Jerry's life--he and Pat were honored by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Boys and Girls Club of Venice, Big Brothers of America, Portals, and Saint John's Hospital; they also supported many charities, including the Lucille and Edward R. Roybal Foundation, the Jewish Federation, and Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles. Jerry's impact on the communities he helped build from the ground up is indelible. Congresswoman Roybal-Allard and I are blessed to have known and worked with Jerry on issues of importance in Southern California. May his commitment to service inspire those of us working toward a brighter future.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Speaker, I am glad that the House is considering H. Res. 444, a bipartisan resolution that I introduced with Representatives Diaz-Balart, Neguse, and Lofgren to reaffirm U.S. leadership in responding to displacement crises around the world. We are facing the worst refugee crisis in history. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in 2018, there were more than 70.8 million displaced persons worldwide. This included nearly 26 million refugees, over 41 million internally displaced persons, and 3.5 million people seeking asylum. Put another way, in 2018, 37,000 people were being displaced from their homes each day. About half of all refugees were children. 67 percent came from Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia and 84 percent were hosted by developing nations. Beyond the statistics, there are far too many stories of people fleeing despair. Seemingly every day we are presented with new accounts of migrants in Central America escaping gang or domestic violence and seeking refuge in the United States. Across the globe, Syrians, Somalians, Yemenis, and others continue to be displaced by various conflicts. This refugee crisis requires global leadership and compassion--yet we have seen the Trump Administration drastically reduce refugee admissions into the U.S. In 2018, the United States resettled only 22,000 refugees compared to the 85,000 resettled in 2016. Now, we're hearing reports that the Administration is considering lowering the refugee admissions ceiling for next year to as low as zero to 10,000 people. And while the new fiscal year begins in one week, the Administration still hasn't consulted with Congress--as it's required to do by law--about its plans. This is a betrayal of our shared American values. And it's a betrayal of our fellow human beings. Refugees are fleeing their homes because they are being persecuted for their race, religion, nationality, for belonging to a particular social group or being of a certain political opinion. They need our assistance. The United States resettlement program is critical to global humanitarian efforts. These efforts serve to strengthen global security, advance United States foreign policy goals, and support regional host countries while also serving individuals and families in need. Moreover, the resettlement program benefits the interests of the United States. When I was in the Air Force I saw the need for and the significance of our refugee resettlement program first-hand. In the 1990s, I participated in Operation Pacific Haven, where the United States helped thousands of Kurds flee from northern Iraq to prevent Saddam Hussein from slaughtering them. We first brought them to Guam, where I saw the extensive screening process that the U.S. conducted before bringing many of the refugees to the mainland. Not only were lives saved in this operation, but decades later our nation continues to benefit from helping those refugees. Knowing the severity of the refugee crisis today, we as a nation must do better to help those in need. My resolution reaffirms the United States commitment to promote the safety, health, and well-being of the millions of displaced persons. It recognizes the people and organizations who have risked their lives to provide assistance to displaced communities. Moreover, the resolution calls on the Secretary of State and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to continue supporting robust funding for refugee protection and humanitarian response overseas and resettlement to the United States; to set robust refugee admissions goals; and to work in partnership with the international community to find solutions to existing conflicts and to promote peace and reconciliation. I am grateful that it is supported by more than 60 organizations including Church World Service, International Rescue Committee, Oxfam America, and Refugees International, and has been cosponsored by 74 of our colleagues in the House. I also thank my colleagues, Representatives Mario Diaz-Balart, Zoe Lofgren, and Joe Neguse, for their partnership on this bipartisan legislation. The United States was built on the idea that we could create a free country that would serve as a haven for those fleeing persecution. Refugees don't make our country less safe. But, xenophobia, fear and hate do. Today, by passing this bipartisan resolution, Congress will send a clear message that America is stronger when we welcome refugees and help those in need. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, I thank Representative Lowenthal for his leadership. Today, I rise in support of this legislation by Representative Cunningham to ban offshore oil drilling in both the Atlantic and Pacific. This would apply to new offshore oil drilling. Such oil drilling is both dangerous and harms coastal economies. My congressional district spans the coast of Los Angeles from Palos Verdes to Malibu. Its natural beauty is rivaled by few, and the tourism, recreation, and other ocean-related industries flourish because of it. Just a few years ago, in 2015, an oil pipeline ruptured in Santa Barbara to the north of my district, spilling 100,000 gallons of oil into the ocean, killing wildlife, and forcing closure of beaches in my district as their oil flowed down. This oil spill can affect large pieces of land and our environment, and our economy suffered. H.R. 1941 is a forward-thinking bill that will protect California's coast and help turn us away from fossil fuels. At a time when tackling the climate crisis is absolutely critical, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to congratulate Keith Sultemeier on his recent election to the Board of Directors at the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU). Since April of 2012, Mr. Sultemeier has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Kinecta Federal Credit Union (FCU). Kinecta FCU is headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, in my congressional district. It has over $4.4 billion in assets and over 300,000 members. With more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Mr. Sultemeier's deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory issues facing credit unions will provide tremendous expertise to the NAFCU Board. Mr. Sultemeier holds Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. I wish Mr. Sultemeier well in his new role on the NAFCU Board and I ask that my colleagues join me today in congratulating him on this exceptional achievement.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life and work of Mr. Milton Quon, who passed away at the age of 105 on June 18, 2019 in Torrance, California.

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, first, let me thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Rouda) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Keller) for their comments in support of this legislation. I rise today in support of my bipartisan bill, H.R. 1847, the Inspector General Protection Act, which will enhance the independence and integrity of our IGs. Since Congress passed the original Inspector General Act in 1978, these government watchdogs have played a crucial role in our democracy. They root out waste, fraud, mismanagement, and abuse at all levels of government, saving American taxpayers billions of dollars annually and ensuring that government programs benefit the people. According to the nonpartisan Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, taxpayers saved $32.7 billion in fiscal year 2017 from audit recommendations. That is a $22 return on every dollar invested. Unfortunately, both Democratic and Republican administrations have hamstrung our IGs with persistent vacancies and underfunded budgets. According to the Project on Government Oversight, vacancies of permanent inspectors general is not a new problem or one that is unique to this administration. This issue has persisted for years under both Democratic and Republican leadership. The Department of the Interior, for example, has lacked a Senate- confirmed inspector general for over a decade. But it is not just vacancies that have been problematic. In a committee report, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs noted that ``another type of personnel action has the potential for doing significant damage to OIG independence if abused: placing an IG on indefinite paid or unpaid nonduty status.'' My bill will address both of these problems. First, H.R. 1847 requires notification of Congress in advance of an inspector general being placed on administrative leave. This ensures Congress is aware of any potential attempts to improperly sideline an inspector general. Second, the bill requires the President to report to Congress if an inspector general has not been nominated within 210 days after a vacancy occurs for the position, including the reasons a nomination has not been made and a target date for doing so. This reasserts Congress' oversight role and allows Members to question, on an informal basis, the decision of any future administration to leave core offices vacant. As Senator Chuck Grassley told The Washington Post in 2017, ``Independent, nonpartisan IGs can be some of the President's best allies in finding and cutting waste, fraud, and abuse in the bureaucracy.'' I agree with that statement. That is why I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as the U.S. Senate, toward getting this commonsense bill signed into law. I am grateful to my colleague from Georgia (Mr. Hice) for partnering with me on this legislation and to Chairman Cummings and Ranking Member Jordan for recognizing the importance of strengthening our Nation's inspectors general. I am also proud that this bill has received the endorsement of good- government groups across the ideological spectrum, including Project on Government Oversight, R Street Institute, American Oversight, Campaign for Accountability, Common Cause, and Public Citizen. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting good governance by voting ``yes.''

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Madam Speaker, I am an immigrant; I am a person of faith; and I served on Active Duty in the United States military because I love America. Yet, throughout my life, I have had people tell me to go back to China or Japan or North Korea. And like many immigrants, when I get that ``go back'' insult, it is hateful. It makes me feel like I don't belong here in this country. And make no mistake, when people tell me to go back where I came from, that is a racist insult that is based on race. If I were White, they would not tell me to go back to China. I experience that insult because my race happens to be Asian. But the good news is that Americans, at record high levels, support immigrants. We are not going anywhere. America is our home. And I will still be standing here long after the occupant of the White House leaves. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. TED LIEU of California

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer amendment No. 23 as the designee of Representative Gabbard.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, I rise to speak in support of the amendment offered by Representative Gabbard of Hawaii on the limitation on the use of funds from the Special Defense Acquisition Fund for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This fund allows the U.S. military to preorder weapons for sale to foreign militaries and is intended to reduce wait times for weapons or related services. While this is normally a good way to prevent a long and detrimental wait for our allies to use weapons in self-defense, is it unconscionable that it be used to kill and wound civilians in an unjust war. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have, since 2015, been bombing schools, hospitals, buses, and other civilian targets. As of March of this year, nearly 18,000 people have been killed or injured by this bombing campaign since hostilities began in 2015, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Thousands more have been displaced by the fighting, and millions are faced with starvation, hunger, and disease. This has created a humanitarian crisis, destroyed water supplies, and created shortages in food and medical care. We have already passed a resolution seeking to end U.S. involvement in this slaughter, only to have the President veto it, while he continues to supply Saudi Arabia with U.S. missiles and bombs. This amendment will prevent the military from speeding supplies to Saudi Arabia and the UAE and will do much to alleviate the suffering of the people of Yemen. Mr. Chair, I ask that all Members support this amendment and end our involvement in this shameful war, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, I don't have any philosophical objection to supporting our allies. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are still America's allies. But what I object to and what many of us in Congress object to is the bypassing of Congress in selling arms to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. On May 24, the Trump administration, through Secretary Pompeo, notified Congress that it was declaring a fake emergency to bypass congressional review of 22 arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. How do we know this was a fake emergency? Because there is no emergency to the United States or to UAE or to Saudi Arabia regarding the war in Yemen. It is a horrific humanitarian problem. The Saudi-led coalition has killed countless civilians. But it is not an emergency that would justify weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE that bypasses congressional procedure. And, in fact, it has been recently reported that the UAE is now pulling its troops out of Yemen. What kind of emergency is this that would require the bypass of Congress to sell arms to UAE and Saudi Arabia? In addition, we had a hearing in the Foreign Affairs Committee where the Trump administration official admitted that many of these arms would not even be ready for months, if not years, in order to be sold. So, it is unacceptable that the administration is trying to bypass Congress. What this amendment will do is simply say you cannot declare a fake emergency to bypass Congress to sell these arms. If you want to sell these arms to Saudi Arabia and UAE, you have to do it through the normal process. Mr. Chair, I request an ``aye'' vote on this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).