Susie Lee

Ms. LEE of Nevada

Ms. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Chair, I am prepared to close, and I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chair, I am very pleased, again, to see bipartisan support for my commonsense amendment to ensure that the Federal policy that we create right here delivers affordable housing options across America. I look forward to working with colleagues on both sides to better support hardworking Americans and their families in securing reliable and affordable housing in Las Vegas and across the country. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LEE of Nevada

Ms. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Chair, during rollcall Vote Number 267 on H.R. 1640, I mistakenly recorded my vote as No when I should have voted Aye.

Ms. LEE of Nevada

Ms. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the new Stanley Cup champions, the Las Vegas Golden Knights. As many of our local fans know, the story of the Golden Knights starts long before last night's victory. Six years ago, our Las Vegas community was forever changed. On October 1, 2017, a gunman opened fire on the Route 91 concert, killing 60 and wounding hundreds more. We were shaken to our core. We were resilient. We were united. We were Vegas Strong. Something that captured that spirit so clearly was when, just days later, the Golden Knights stood shoulder to shoulder with the Las Vegas community and honored the victims of this tragedy at their very first home game, showing the true meaning of Vegas Strong. With the whole city behind them, the Knights proceeded to win that home opener and became the first expansion team in NHL history to start their inaugural season with a 3-0 record. The Golden Knights have always been more than just a sports team for our community. Now, for the first time, they are world champions. Our unlikely heroes--6 years ago, a hockey team just getting to know their city--helped us heal in ways we never imagined. I congratulate the Stanley Cup's Battle Born champs, the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

Ms. LEE of Nevada

Ms. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of two celebrations that are incredibly important to my community: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Small Business Month. As the Representative of one of the largest and fastest-growing AANHPI communities in the country, I am beyond proud of the contributions our small business owners have made to our thriving southern Nevada economy, which include folks like: Alex Zen who curates Chinatown's Zen D'core, a boutique jewelry shop offering minimalist decor and jewelry; Amy Zhang Warthan, owner of No. 1 Boba Tea, which has proudly served the Las Vegas community since 1998; and leaders like Ken Cheng, manager of Chinatown Mall. They have all worked tirelessly to create thriving commercial centers for our small businesses. All of this amazing development would not be possible without the support of groups like the Nevada AAPI Chamber of Commerce, the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Las Vegas India Chamber of Commerce, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, the Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce, the Korean American Chamber of Commerce, the Sri Lanka America Association of Las Vegas, and so many more. They all work day in and day out to serve our AANHPI businesses across the Silver State. From Chinatown to the Las Vegas strip and across the valley, southern Nevada draws its strength in our diversity, and the AANHPI Nevadans are key to that success. Thank you to all of the AANHPI Nevadans who put the American Dream on full display by pursuing their passions and growing our small business economy.

Ms. LEE of Nevada

Ms. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a law enforcement officer hero from Nevada who made the ultimate sacrifice serving our community: Officer Truong Thai. Last October, while responding to a late-night domestic disturbance, Officer Thai was shot and killed at the age of 49, leaving behind his father, brother, four sisters, his daughter, Jada, and an entire community of law enforcement officers who relied on his mentorship and support. A 23-year veteran of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Officer Thai's colleagues describe him as someone who could have served in the highest levels of the department as a sergeant or a lieutenant. Instead, he chose time and again to serve at all hours of the day and all hours of the night on the front lines of our communities because what he cared about most was keeping people safe. Officer Thai represented the best of our law enforcement, someone willing to put his life on the line for his community, but also a family man who never stopped giving back. He coached girls' volleyball and enjoyed playing with his daughter, Jada. He went on fishing trips with colleagues and their children. He never hesitated to help someone in need. We should all be grateful for the service of Officer Thai and inspired by his dedication and generosity as we remember his service. In addition, I take a moment to honor the sacrifices of far too many other law enforcement officers from Nevada, also lost in the line of duty, including: The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Detective Justin Michael Terry; Officer Edward Aaron Contreras, Jr.; Sergeant Douglas Michael King; Officer Philip Carl Closi; Bailiff Gerald Raymond Smith from Pahrump Justice Court; and Officer Ray Edward East from Walker River. This week, I thank our law enforcement officers for their service and remember those like Officer Thai, whose dedication to his community and family we will never forget. Congratulating Ms. Dee Heard on winning the Clark County School District Teacher of the Year Award

Ms. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise in celebration of last week's Teacher Appreciation Week to congratulate my constituent and winner of the Clark County School District Teacher of the Year Award, Ms. Dee Heard. Ms. Heard is a sixth-grade teacher at Sedway Middle School and an innovative leader who is constantly thinking of ways to engage her students outside the textbook. When students struggled after the pandemic, she designed a schoolwide math competition, complete with pep rallies and digital workspaces, to create learning incentives and help students track their progress and goals over time. Ms. Heard also leads outside the classroom. She regularly collaborates with school staff to assist with everything from bus tickets to emotional support to food for her students. I could not be more proud to represent teachers like Ms. Heard, and to know that our next generation of leaders is in such great hands. I thank her for all her hard work, and I congratulate her on her well- deserved honor. Mr. Speaker, I thank all the incredible southern Nevada teachers who deserve our appreciation, not just this week, but every week.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, during rollcall Vote number 187 on H.J. Res. 27, my vote was recorded as a ``yea'' when I intended for it to be a ``nay.'' Let the record reflect that I oppose H.J. Res. 27. personal explanation

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 2023 graduating class of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Touro University Nevada. This week is National Osteopathic Medicine Week, and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate than by highlighting the incredible success of our future doctors of osteopathic medicine. Not only did these graduates achieve a 100 percent residency match rate, but I am also proud to say that 50 of them will be staying in Nevada where they will help fill critical healthcare needs in our State by helping combat our dire shortage of physicians. Nevada ranks 48th in the Nation in doctors per capita. These future healthcare providers will fill in the gaps across our healthcare system from family medicine and pediatrics to emergency medicine, neurology, and psychiatry. Too many Nevadans in rural and underserved communities do not have access to specialists in their area, which significantly restricts their ability to access healthcare services. I am so proud that these doctors will be filling those critical needs, and I congratulate Touro University. Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Nevada Air National Guard

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Nevada Air National Guard for their 75 years of service to Nevada and the entire country. In that time, our servicemembers have supported national security, combat operations, and humanitarian efforts across the globe. The Nevada Air National Guard began as a small fighter squadron comprised of World War II-era P-51 Mustangs. Its units have since evolved: flying in the Korean war, aerial reconnaissance throughout the Cold War, and numerous deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Here at home, the Nevada Air National Guard has also carried out significant humanitarian operations such as Operation Haylift, a daring supply drop to farmers and miners trapped by winter storms in 1948. Today, the Nevada Air National Guard is perhaps best known for its continued use of our military's workhorse, the C-130, which, among other impressive capabilities, has been routinely deployed for firefighting operations with the U.S. Forest Service. In 2021 alone, the Nevada Air National Guard made 331 flights, dropping more than 8 million pounds of fire retardant to help contain wildfires, preserve our public lands, and save lives. Looking ahead, I look forward to working with the Nevada Air National Guard on their priorities, including a well-deserved upgrade to their fleet of C-130s, as they take on an even better 75 years ahead. From Carson City to Reno and the 232nd Combat Training Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, I again thank everyone who has made Nevada Air National Guard strong for the past 75 years. Our State and country are safer because of it. Restricting Abortion

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about the frightening recent developments concerning the personal freedoms of millions of Americans. A single judge in Texas has dramatically restricted decades-long access to safe and effective abortion medication in all 50 States. Anti-choice extremists have made it clear that this is not the end. They did not stop at overturning Roe v. Wade. They will not stop at preventing women from accessing FDA-approved medications like mifepristone. They have made it clear about their intention to restrict control and ban a woman's right to choose with Federal legislation. From the courts to Congress, a woman's right to choose is under attack. We will not be intimidated, and I am doing everything in my power to stop this. My home State of Nevada, where voters decided by a 2-to-1 margin in 1990 to protect a woman's right to choose and just last fall voted to reject the extremist politicians leading this crusade to ban abortion nationwide, has made it clear where it stands. I have made it clear that I am here to represent my district and my State. Last week, I joined hundreds of my pro-choice colleagues in signing on to an amicus brief that has been filed with the Supreme Court, asking the Court to reverse the Texas judge's radical decision. I am not giving up and neither should you. I support choice. The majority of Nevadans support choice. The majority of Americans support choice. It is time for Congress and the courts to do the same.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize March 27th to March 31st as National Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Week. The AHEC program was originally authorized in 1971 to enhance the workforce of health professionals who staff brick-and-mortar Community Health Centers. Today, Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) offer hands-on and innovative health career curriculums for pre-college level students, and are committed to continuing education, clinical training of health professionals and responding to community health needs. The nation's 300 AHECs are in nearly every state and in multiple U.S. territories. Administered by the HRSA, AHECs are federally funded, and many are also supported by state governments, foundations, or other partners. AHEC clinical training placements put health professional students in a variety of real-world settings, such as migrant, urban, and rural community health clinics and health departments that provide healthcare to rural and underserved populations, Connecting students to community populations helps facilitate future engagement and help build network alliances for health career students who wish to remain in their clinical practice regions and continue providing more sustainable healthcare in rural and underserved areas following their training. AHECs are also responsive to community priorities. They are dedicated to collaboratively developing community health education curriculums, for both online and face-to-face training programs, through unique partnerships that meet the broader range of public health needs of diverse and severely rural and underserved populations. The need to strengthen the healthcare workforce, particularly for underserved communities, has become far more acute over the past several years. According to new Association of American Medical Colleges, the U.S. could see a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, and the American Hospital Association says more than 200,000 new registered nurses are needed each year to meet increasing health care needs and to replace nurses entering retirement. AHECs continue to be committed to addressing shortage areas and expanding the healthcare workforce, while maximizing diversity and facilitating distribution, especially in rural and underserved communities. In the past 5 years, the AHEC program has trained 2 million healthcare professionals, who are prepared to deliver culturally appropriate, high-quality, team-based care, with an emphasis on primary care for rural and underserved populations. I have developed a close relationship with and am proud to support the Nevada AHEC program. I have previously led efforts to increase funding for the national AHEC program in recent fiscal years. As highlighted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Nevada's health workforce needs to be prepared to meet their communities' needs now more than ever. The Nevada AHEC program is one way we will be able to continue to make a significant and sustainable impact in improving healthcare services for the rural and most underserved areas of our state. By having programs that are responsive to local and community needs, and by connecting health students and professionals early on in their careers to the most vulnerable communities, the Nevada AHEC program continues to create a culturally and structurally competent health workforce to tackle the unique challenges our state faces. On behalf of my constituents, the Nevada AHEC program and the national AHEC program more broadly, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing March 27th to March 31st as National AHEC Week.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a true conservation leader who has dedicated years of her life to ensuring the Tule Springs Fossil Beds in Las Vegas would be declared a permanent national monument. Jill DeStefano was one of the five founders of the Protectors of Tule Springs, and she worked tirelessly until the beds were officially designated the 405th unit of the National Park Service by President Barack Obama in 2014. She has served as the board president of the Protectors of Tule Springs as they protect, preserve, support, and promote responsible stewardship of the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and the Ice Age Fossils State Park. Jill's passionate advocacy for Tule Springs has ensured they will always be safe and that our children and grandchildren can enjoy them for years to come. These protected lands tell a story and teach the next generation about our American values for conservation and preservation of our most precious remnants of our national history. I thank Jill for all of her hard work to protect Southern Nevada's beautiful outdoors. The people of Nevada's Third District are eternally grateful for Jill and all that she has done. I am wishing Jill the best of luck in her next chapter. Azerbaijan's Blockade

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the proud Representative of a large Armenian-American community in southern Nevada as we mark 100 days since Azerbaijan began a devastating, heartless blockade of Artsakh, cutting off 120,000 Armenians from a critical humanitarian lifeline and their main artery to the outside world. For 100 days, Azerbaijan has denied the citizens of Artsakh basic human rights and access to food, fuel, and medicine in freezing conditions on what is on its way to becoming a humanitarian catastrophe. As if that wasn't enough, we have seen increasingly escalatory and troubling rhetoric from Azerbaijani officials in just the last few days. It is long overdue that our government acts to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its heartless treatment of the innocent Armenian civilians in Artsakh. That is why I was proud to join my colleagues as an original cosponsor of H. Res. 108 in February condemning Azerbaijan's brutal blockade and calling for an end to this manmade humanitarian crisis. Mr. Speaker, I continue to urge the administration to take action here and to respond to Azerbaijan's aggression by cutting off U.S. military assistance in line with section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act. Particularly, as we enter the thick of the appropriations process, I will also continue to work to ensure that vital humanitarian assistance is delivered to civilians who continue to suffer from the blockade and ongoing fighting. During these difficult times, I share the serious concerns of my constituents in southern Nevada's Armenian-American community. I will continue to be an advocate for solutions to this manmade crisis. I will always stand with the Armenian people and to work to secure much-needed relief as they face down continued threats and unjustified aggression from Azerbaijan.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today to shed light on a critical dilemma in the fight to address the worst drought facing the American West in 12 centuries. Right now, water managers are doing everything they can to address and respond to the ongoing Western water crisis. At the same time, they cannot always readily access the critical data they need to measure water loss, respond effectively, and keep more water in Lake Mead for Nevadans. I have said it before, and I will say it again: We can't manage what we cannot measure. Nevada's plentiful sunshine is one of our State's greatest assets. It makes our State a top destination for outdoor recreation, the solar center of our transition to clean energy. It is also a key driver in evapotranspiration, or ET, water loss in Nevada, throughout the West, and across this country. The situation at Lake Mead and across the West remains dire. We need to take action now. The future of our water supplies depends on us getting this information into the hands of people who are on the ground tackling this crisis every day. That is why I am introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act to formally establish a Federal OpenET program and fill the biggest data gap in water management by making critical ET data more accessible. It will allow everyone access, from water managers and experts like scientists, academics, and advocacy organizations to farmers and ranchers to literally anyone with internet access; it is that accessible. There is no time to waste in protecting our most precious resource. It is time to start better measuring, managing, and planning to protect Nevada's future. International Women's Day

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I rise today on International Women's Day as a woman in Congress who has served not one, not two, but three terms in this House where every single time we have shattered the record for the largest number of women serving in this body. A woman's place is in this House, and I am honored to serve alongside such strong trailblazers who are setting the stage for the next generation of girls who will undoubtedly continue to shatter this glass ceiling. We are not there yet. While women make up the largest voting bloc in the United States of America, we are still a minority here in the people's House. That is why I tell every little girl I meet crisscrossing southern Nevada to dream big and run for something. Just over 100 years ago, we didn't have the right to vote in this country, and that is why so many of the laws and flaws of our system are stacked against us; whether that is equal pay for equal work, affordable childcare, adequate healthcare coverage for mothers, and equitable access for women of color who continue to face disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, or the right to make our own decisions with our own bodies. Today marks the first International Women's Day since the Supreme Court obliterated our rights less than a year ago in overturning 50 years of Roe; 50 years of a woman's right to choose. In States across this country, the right to an abortion is under attack even in cases of rape, incest, and the health of a mother. In this House there are extreme proposals to set us all backwards with a national ban on abortion. We will not go back, and we will not be intimidated. I am proud to be from the Battle Born State, home of a majority woman Federal delegation in Congress, home of a majority woman State Supreme Court, and home of the first woman majority State legislature. That is worth celebrating today. That is the model for this House by, for, and of the people. This is what I hope will inspire the next generation of girls to run, win, and lead our country forward.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Speaker, I think all of us Members of Congress can agree on one thing; that one of the greatest joys of being a Member is knowing the great men and women who work for us day in and day out. These men and women also dedicate their lives to serving others and serving our country. Today, I honor one such man, my former chief of staff, Brandon Cox, who as of Friday will be moving on to bigger and better challenges. I first met Brandon 8 years ago as a staffer for my campaign, and I saw a confident young man who knew politics better than anyone, worked harder than anyone, had a memory for details that is unmatched, and who demanded excellence from himself and others. Brandon has been an accomplished manager, first of my campaign and for the last 4 years, of my entire congressional staff. When you are elected as a freshman, you are often advised to not hire your campaign manager as your chief, but I did not listen, thankfully. I knew I needed someone who knew Nevada's Third Congressional District, who always had my back, who knew me, and knew how to get things done. My office was better for it, but most importantly, my constituents were better for it. Brandon, it has been a good run. Wishing you all the best.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of my amendment to H.R. 347, the Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act. My amendment underscores the fact that it is not the sole responsibility of the executive office of the President to reduce inflation, but that productive, bipartisan legislative action is the best way that we can collectively combat inflation and bring down the cost of living. I represent southern Nevada, a part of the country that has been especially hit hard by the price hikes driven up by the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Nevadan families have been hurting. They have been forced to make difficult decisions about how to make ends meet and how to provide for their loved ones for far too long, and they are tired of finger- pointing. They are done with partisan potshots and bickering that achieve nothing to help them make ends meet. Although the pace of inflation has slowed since hitting a peak last summer, the cost of living continues to remain far too high, and that is why they and the rest of America are calling on Congress for us to do our job, to take real action, and to provide relief. That is what we owe them. We made progress in this direction during the last Congress with the CHIPS and Science Act, the bipartisan infrastructure package, and other landmark bills that continue to help strengthen our supply chains and relieve price pressures. This Congress we need to continue that legacy and set aside political posturing and instead advance more thoughtful legislation that will actually bring down costs and meet the needs of our constituents. I have said it before, and I will say it again: Congress is at our best when we put policy first and politics last. I implore all of my colleagues to support this amendment because finding bipartisan compromise and real progress on our Nation's most pressing issue is not only right, it is what we were sent here to do. Madam Chair, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin).

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as some extraordinary Durango High School students are making news and scientific history. A team from Nevada's Third District, Durango High School, recently became one of only 60 teams nationwide to win the NASA TechRise student challenge. This year the challenge was to design an experiment that could be tested on a NASA-sponsored balloon flight. The Durango team won with their entry, Project Nighthawk, which they will continue to work on for the rest of the school year. This summer, the project will be tested in a high-altitude balloon flight. This is a big deal, but I know it is just the start of some amazing endeavors into STEM that these Durango Trailblazers will make in their future careers. These students will be mentored by the best and the brightest researchers and have an invaluable opportunity to learn about the edge of the Earth's atmosphere. The ingenuity of these talented Nevadans reminds us that when it comes to exploration of our final frontier, the best is yet to come. I have no doubt that we will all benefit from their contributions in years to come. Congratulations, Durango High School's Project Nighthawk.

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

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

Mrs. LEE of Nevada

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today for the first time during this 118th Congress to call for unity and bipartisan action in this Congress. This is a call that echoes across this House from commonsense Republicans and Democrats who are ready to focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. It is a call that echoes across my district in the State of Nevada from independent-minded folks who are tired of Congress playing games and politics as usual. It is a call that echoes across the entire country. In November, every one of us in this Chamber won the support of our constituents, and the trends were clear: Extremism is out, and real results are in. Last Congress was different. Democrats had control of the House, the Senate, and the Presidency, but we didn't close the door on our Republican colleagues. Instead, we brought them to the table and led together to deliver results for all Americans, and the track record shows it: The bipartisan PACT Act, now law, protecting healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits and Agent Orange; The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, now law, the first major gun safety action in decades; The bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, now law, increasing our economic edge in a global economy and ensuring that we make more of everything in America; And, of course, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, now law, the investment of a generation in every corner of this country: roads, bridges, ports, airports, internet access, water solutions for the West, and so much more. These accomplishments are significant, and they will stand the test of time because we brought Democrats and Republicans together to make them happen. Voters defied midterm predictions, recognizing that Democrats deliver by putting people over politics and joining hands with our commonsense colleagues across the aisle, but the work continues. What we can work on together will always outweigh what holds us apart. We all want to tackle inflation. We all recognize the need to address the historic drought and to secure future water supplies for all Americans. We all want to fix our broken immigration system, to build one that strengthens our security without compromising our values as a nation of immigrants. Congress is at our best when we put policy first and politics last. That is what the American people want. Congratulating Rebel Girls & Company

Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the UNLV Rebel Girls & Company dance team for winning yet another national championship title. This program is no stranger to success, and this makes eight wins for the university in the last 15 years. This time they even achieved a 99.1, the highest hip-hop score in program history. Coming from the entertainment capital of the world, the decorated dance team and crew have always represented Nevada well, and their stellar performances have even dazzled audiences across the globe. Their many titles are a reflection of the hard work of each and every person involved, especially the leadership shown by Head Coach Marca DeCastroverde. The past, present, and future of this program is so bright, and I speak on behalf of all of Nevada as we continue to cheer them on. Congratulations, UNLV Rebel Girls & Company, on yet another success.