Susie Lee

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. One of the reasons that I oppose this amendment is because it proposes to eliminate all funding for family planning. Now, a woman's ability to thrive is dependent on her health and participation in society. The House bill we are considering will improve her opportunities. Let me review what countless studies have already shown: reproductive health services prevent unintended pregnancies, maternal deaths, and abortions; reduce rates of infant and child mortality; empower women to stay in school and join the workforce; create stronger and healthier families; and improve economies. But as we sit here today, more than 200 million women around the world still lack access to modern contraceptives. If we want to build on the self-reliance of countries, one of the most cost-effective measures is to increase access to family planning. Attacks on women's health must stop. Now, to oppose family planning and contraceptives and birth control, then to oppose abortions, that doesn't make any sense. Of course, my colleague from Florida said it very clearly, that it is just downright crazy. Madam Speaker, I urge opposition to this en bloc amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as Americans continue to face a prescription drug crisis. Americans pay three to four times more than families in other developed countries for the exact same drugs. Kids, families, seniors, we all feel the effects of skyrocketing prices of medications. Mr. Speaker, insulin costs have grown to 10 times that of any other developed country, with annual costs per patient, for just the insulin, now at nearly $6,000. One in four seniors reports difficulty affording their prescriptions, with one in five reporting not taking their medication because of the cost. This is heartbreaking. It is unacceptable, and it demands that we, as Members of Congress, must take action now. Whether it is H.R. 3, empowering Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices, which will bring down prescription costs, not just for seniors, but for individuals and families across America, or my bill, the Seniors SAVE on Prescription Drugs Act, which will strengthen senior savings and expand access to the Medicare Part D Extra Help program. It is time for us to lower drug prices, lower premiums, and lower out-of-pocket costs for American families. And it is time to take action and end our prescription drug crisis now.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today as COVID cases surge in my home State of Nevada and across this country. In fact, in the past 3 days, Nevada has added over 2,000 new cases, and our 2-week positivity rate has rapidly grown to more than 12 percent. Hospitalizations are up, too, with the vast majority being among, you guessed it, the unvaccinated. Unfortunately, just over half of Nevadans are fully or partially vaccinated. We must all do our part to end this pandemic. The best thing you can do to protect yourself, your family, the ones you care about most is to get vaccinated. Getting your vaccine is safe and, now, easier than ever. Believe it or not, back home in Nevada, it comes with the chance to win more than $5 million in prizes. That is how desperate we are to make sure that everyone is motivated to go get a vaccine. Please, go to vaccines.gov to find a clinic. For those who are already vaccinated, please take the time this week to reach out and encourage your peers to do their part, too. Together, we can stop the spread and get our lives back to normal.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I will just, again, reiterate that most importantly about this amendment is it does address local needs. Specifically, we included language in this to allow for local entities. But most importantly, they are accessing Federal dollars. So with Federal dollars, I think we need to put some safeguards to make sure that that investment will withstand the impact of climate change that we are seeing all across this country. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my amendment No. 132 to the INVEST in America Act which would ensure that wastewater infrastructure funding using the Clean Water State Revolving Fund or other Clean Water Act grant programs undergo a climate resiliency assessment. Today, 88 percent of the West is under some form of drought. Back in my home district, Nevada's Third, the water in Lake Mead sits at the lowest level since the Hoover Dam was built. Almost half of my home State of Nevada is experiencing exceptional drought--the highest classification there is. As I stand here today, the unfortunate truth is that this is not just a Nevada problem. From coast to coast, climate change is here--it is not some distant threat--and it demands that we take action for all of our constituents. Investments in infrastructure are desperately needed, and we need to ensure that these projects can withstand the impact of climate change. We cannot talk about infrastructure without talking about climate change, because what good is it for us to invest millions or billions in infrastructure if it can't hold up to the devastating impact of climate change? For example, we should be looking at how a water treatment facility would withstand extreme heat, because the reality is, as we have experienced, temperatures are rising. Just look at the West right now. So as we are making investments in water treatment facilities, we must ensure that these facilities will not fail under extreme heat, straining already limited water resources. A climate resiliency assessment might look at what happens when it is 120 degrees and the wastewater facility loses power during a blackout. We need to ensure that our facilities are prepared for the realities that we are facing. That is true whether we are talking about drought and extreme heat or worsening hurricanes or even rising sea levels along the coast. My amendment will ensure that future wastewater infrastructure is designed and constructed to withstand potential impacts of climate change. Importantly, my amendment also is in line with a January 2020 report on water infrastructure from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office. This nonpartisan report recommended that Congress require that climate resilience be considered in planning for federally funded water infrastructure projects. So I am implore all of you to join me in voting ``yes'' on my amendment. We must ensure that our investments in infrastructure are longlasting and resilient to the threat of climate change. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I would like to address a couple of points that were raised. First of all, if these requirements were already being met, I don't understand why the GAO, in 2020, recommended that any investment in federally funded infrastructure should undergo such an assessment. Secondly, in terms of the burden, we have added language to this amendment to make it not a one-size-fits-all. In fact, it will only require assessment when appropriate for the project. It will consider varying levels of assessments that reflect the scale, or the type of the project, or activity for which the infrastructure funds are sought; and it will identify entities to provide technical assistance to applicants for wastewater infrastructure funds to assist them. This is particularly geared toward smaller investments. Finally, with respect to this amendment being unnecessary, I say just look around this country at what is happening. I mean, we want to be fiscally responsible, and I don't think we want to make investments to know that in 3 or 5 years, or even 1 year, they are rendered unusable because of climate change. So this, in fact, is a most necessary amendment, and we are feeling the impacts of climate change right now, and the time is now to provide these assessments. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand in support of the LGBTQ community and to recognize this Pride Month. This month is one of reflection: reflection on the strides our country has made toward acceptance and inclusion and on the struggles that still exist today. From Stonewall, to the AIDS epidemic, to attacks on transgender youth across our country today, the struggle for equality continues. This month is one of recognition for the trailblazers of decades past and the advocates on the ground today who make this country welcoming for everyone. But most of all, this month is one of celebration. I am here to say loudly and clearly to all of my LGBTQ constituents in Nevada's Third District, you are respected and loved, and I have your back here in Washington. While we mark 6 years of marriage equality this week and have continued to reach milestones in the time since, we have more work to do. I am proud to have voted to pass the Equality Act out of the House, and it is time for the Senate to join us. I hope you all take time this month to celebrate who you are. And from the bottom of my heart, Happy Pride Month.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today as Nevadans are facing the reality of our climate crisis head-on. Lake Mead has reached record low levels not seen since the construction of the Hoover Dam, and a massive heat wave has now brought record-breaking temperatures and safety warnings. We cannot deny the climate trajectory our country faces, and at the same time, our State and the country are climbing out of an economic crisis. There is no question that the opportunity to take action on both the economic and the climate crises is now. That is why I am proud to have joined my colleagues in the Problem Solvers Caucus to bring Democrats and Republicans together on an infrastructure proposal. We need to work together now more than ever. Our crumbling roads, bridges, and the tools that grind the gears of our day-to-day American life cannot support our economy and our planet without bold new investment. Those bold investments will create good-paying jobs in communities across the country. The time to deliver solutions is now.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in bringing attention to the widespread violence against the Asian- American community. This pandemic has inflamed hatred and racism, and we must lend our voices in support of our Asian-American brothers and sisters. In Georgia, just 2 months ago, a horrific attack targeted three Asian-owned spas, and eight lives were lost. They were working parents, grandparents, and spouses, and they left behind an unconscionable loss and emptiness in their communities. We know that this attack is not isolated. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been more than 6,600 reported incidents of anti- Asian hate. Across this country, Asian Americans are living in fear for the safety of themselves, their friends, and their families. On this floor this week, we passed two critical pieces of legislation to condemn the attack in Georgia and to ensure accountability for hate crimes against the Asian-American community. We must continue to stand with the Asian-American community and put an end to this violence. My district, my home State of Nevada, and our Nation, welcome diversity, and acts of hatred and bigotry have no place here.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the historic first class of medical students to graduate from the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Four years ago, the 50 students of this inaugural class donned their white coats, pledged their formal oaths, and began their lifelong medical journeys. But for southern Nevada, this was more than your average first day of school. Nevada has consistently ranked among the lowest rates in doctors per capita; and before this class, Las Vegas was the largest metro area in the Nation without a medical school capable of bestowing M.D. degrees. These graduates are pioneers in providing for the health of our community, and their dedication to home is clear. Ninety-seven percent of this class hails from the Battle Born State, and well over one-third of the graduates will stay right here to continue their education. We cannot thank them enough for their dedication to the health of our community, especially in the midst of this pandemic. Congratulations to the UNLV Medical graduates.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congresswoman Demings for her leadership and for leading this tribute to all of our police officers across this country during National Police Week. I would like to take this moment to recognize our Nevada officers who have fallen. In particular, I want to honor two officers who we lost in this past year alone. We remember Lieutenant Erik Lloyd, a 30-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Every day during this pandemic, our men and women have stepped up to serve in the line of duty, no matter the danger. We honor their commitment in a time of uncertainty. And we mourn the loss of Lieutenant Lloyd, who contracted COVID-19 while on the job. Lieutenant Lloyd was the definition of selfless. He went to work every single day to protect his community. And on top of that, he went above and beyond, becoming the president of the Injured Police Officers Fund. In that role, Lloyd raised funds for the care of countless officers, including Metro Officer Shay Mikalonis, who was left paralyzed after being shot this summer during a demonstration on the Las Vegas Strip. We also take this time to recognize Sergeant Benjamin Michael Jenkins, a military veteran, firefighter, and EMT officer with the Nevada Highway Patrol. Sergeant Jenkins was dedicated to reducing impaired driving and fatal crashes. In 2011, he was honored with the Department of Public Safety's highest honor, the Gold Medal of Valor, after he came under fire during a domestic-related shooting in Wells, Nevada. His life, unfortunately, was cut short when he was shot and killed while checking on a driver pulled over on a remote stretch of U.S. Highway 93, just north of Ely. Their service to Nevada is incomparable. To their friends, families, and fellow officers, I extend my deepest sympathies and prayers. Nevada stands with you. I express my extreme gratitude for the safety and dedication to service that Lieutenant Lloyd and Sergeant Jenkins, along with all other officers, have brought to our communities.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Nevadans who are still struggling to put food on the table. I rise for those who can't bear to look their children in the eye when they are asked, ``What's for dinner.'' Right now, in my home State of Nevada, where our economy has been devastated by this pandemic, 304,000 adults say that they don't have enough food to eat. Of that, 132,000 say that their children don't have enough to eat. This is entirely unacceptable. There is no excuse for a child to go hungry in our country. But I am glad to say that help is here. The American Rescue Plan will cut child poverty in half through payments, bolster child tax credits, and the expansion of food assistance programs. For the first time in a long time, millions of children across this country will be lifted out of poverty and allowed a stable and secure childhood. We all know that our children are our future, and the smartest investment we can make is in them, which is just one of the many reasons I am proud to support the American Rescue Plan.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Nevada's Third District. With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, we have delivered on our promise to provide the relief that is so desperately needed 1 year after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The pandemic has been especially hard on my home State of Nevada. The primary pillar of our economy, travel and tourism, has been absolutely devastated. It is not just our casinos and our hotels that have been hit, but our restaurant and convention workers, our entertainment and stage workers, and our aviation workers. With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, we will save lives and get our economy back on track. We will get vaccines into arms. We will get our kids safely back into schools with the $130 billion investment to get schools open and make up for lost time in the classroom. We will get people back in jobs with the expanded PPP loans, relief for restaurants and shuttered venues, and more. And, of course, we will get money into people's pockets immediately through the direct stimulus checks. Mr. Speaker, in short, America, help is on its way, and it couldn't be more urgently needed.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 42.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of my hometown, Las Vegas. What comes to mind when I say Las Vegas? Bright lights, slot machines, big shows, massive conventions, showgirls with the big iconic feather headpieces. It is a magical place. But the glitz and glamour doesn't happen on its own. Even though it feels that way, it is not magic. It is the result of the work of thousands of Nevadans working in the entertainment, tourism, and hospitality industry. I am talking about the Vegas performers, ticket takers, stage managers, convention workers, and bartenders. To them, Vegas isn't a weekend getaway or a drunken cliche, it is their livelihood, which sadly has been gutted by the COVID pandemic. Many of them don't have jobs to go back to because the industry can't thrive when people aren't traveling. They are stuck until the pandemic is over. And because of that we need to help get them through this moment. The American Rescue Plan includes hundreds of billions of dollars for small businesses, laid off workers, and direct aid to families and communities like those in Las Vegas, including the $23 billion to support the travel and tourism industry, and the $1.25 billion in targeted relief for live venues. We need to support the venues and the workers that make our magical town the number one destination in the country, and we can do that by passing the American Rescue Plan.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Nevada's Third District. The pandemic has ravaged our economy, especially in Nevada, where the travel and tourism industry is the bedrock of our economy. Nevada is one of the hardest-hit States by this pandemic. Currently, we have one of the highest unemployment rates in the country at 9.2 percent, but we have an opportunity to put this pandemic behind us and to begin to rebuild our economy. That answer lies in vaccine distribution. We are doing everything we can to get vaccines to those who are eligible, but with limited resources, we are not able to get them out quickly enough. This week, we were able to work with Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft to establish a temporary vaccine site for the residents of Laughlin, a rural community on the border of Arizona, California, and Nevada. Before this site was established, these Nevadans had no vaccination options within an hour's drive of their community. This pandemic needs to be treated like the crisis it is. We need to act swiftly and get States more funding for distribution. I am urging my colleagues: we must act quickly. We cannot let partisan games get in the way.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of the people of Nevada's Third Congressional District with a plea to all of my colleagues: We are now entering the darkest period of this pandemic. Americans are scared, and I don't blame them. Americans are also angry, and they should be. They are angry at Congress and this administration for failing to pass more relief for struggling families, frontline workers, and small businesses. Thousands more Nevadans filed for unemployment during the last few weeks. Over 400,000 Nevadans remain at risk of eviction as housing assistance expires. As this virus uncontrollably spreads in every corner of this country, our frontline workers and hospitals are overwhelmed with a tidal wave of new COVID-positive patients. There is no more time for political games that have consumed Congress for months. There never was. I am pleading to my Republican and Democratic colleagues, to our leadership, and to this administration: It is time to do our jobs and pass more COVID-19 relief now.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that I may hereafter be considered the primary sponsor of H.R. 3025, You Are Not Forgotten Act, a bill originally introduced by Representative Meadows of North Carolina, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings under clause 7 of rule XII.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for bringing this bill in front of the House. And I stand today in support of S. 785, the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act. In addition to making critical updates related to VA transition assistance, mental healthcare, and care for women veterans, this bill also includes an important provision that I championed here in the House in the form of the VA Telehealth Expansion Act, which would provide entities with grants expanding telehealth capabilities to serve veterans throughout the VA. We know the stat that over 20 veterans take their life by suicide every day, and not one suicide is acceptable. And many of those veterans are not accessing VA care. We know that telehealth is another venue to allow those veterans increased access, whether a veteran is homebound, in a rural community, in a community without access to a VA clinic or a hospital, or as we have seen now during this pandemic, at high risk of dying if they catch COVID-19. This pandemic has shown us just how critical it is for our veterans to be able to access healthcare through telehealth. In my home State of Nevada, on the week that southern Nevada began responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of veterans in the southern Nevada healthcare system who had telehealth visits, the number was just under 150. Fast forward to just the week of July 19, we were providing over 2,000 video visits to veterans in their homes via the VA Video Connect. That means that the telehealth video visits increased by over 1,000 percent. It is abundantly clear that telehealth has provided improved access in healthcare for so many veterans, and we must continue to invest in the VA's telehealth capacity, and S. 785 does just that. Madam Speaker, finally, I want to give a special thank you also to Congressman Roe, the ranking member, for his leadership on this committee. I have only been working with him for one term, but without a doubt, I want to thank him for his commitment to our veterans.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Nevada's Third Congressional District, I rise today in support of the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act. We are now over 3 weeks into the school year in my district, and it is clear that we need to do so much more to support our students, parents, and schools. Whether it is at-home or in-person learning, the pandemic is throwing challenges at our kids that make learning more difficult and, in some cases, nearly impossible. This isn't just a struggle for students, but also for parents who are also juggling work while supervising remote learning for their kids. We can't just ask parents to make the best of a bad situation. It should be on Congress to help our working families. Whether in a school building or in a living room, we need to create a supportive, engaging environment for our students, while giving parents the flexibility to still work and provide for their families--and that is what this bill does. It will provide additional academic support for K-12 students by offering access to safe, supervised learning during the day to take some weight off the shoulders of working parents. This will be done by bringing together schools, community organizations, nonprofits, local government, and after-school providers to expand access to academic resources and create flexibility for families. I urge my colleagues to vote for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Coronavirus Relief Act to give our students and parents the flexibility and the resources they need to make this school year count.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Nevada's Third District, I rise today in support of the Great American Outdoors Act. This bill, which I cosponsored, will finally secure full, dedicated funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This fund helps to conserve some of southern Nevada's most precious public lands, like Red Rock Canyon, Sloan Canyon, and Lake Mead. Coming together on such a vital issue is a reminder that Congress has the ability to rise above partisanship and find solutions that benefit us all. There is no issue more universal to all Americans and all people than protecting our planet. We can't keep kicking this can down the road. This is the time to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund. In closing, my time was short with Congressman John Lewis, but I will forever be impacted and am eternally grateful for his leadership.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I stand with Congressman Takano in support of this amendment to close the 90/10 loophole for the Department of Defense military education benefits. Educational institutions are required to derive at least 10 percent of their revenues from non-Federal sources. The intent of this requirement is to ensure that schools offer an education that is of high enough value and high enough quality that people would actually want to use their own money to pay for it. It is about proving market viability, which is supposed to guarantee that taxpayers will not support low-quality schools. If they can't compete in the open market, they should not be supported entirely by the government. This loophole, which effectively treats Defense Department money as the same as what is supposed to come out of people's pockets, violates the safeguards we intended to have in place. That is why it is called a loophole. And it explains why certain untrustworthy colleges, many of which are for-profit, target servicemembers and veterans. Closing this loophole is a concrete step to ensuring we protect our servicemembers.