Nicolas LaLota

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to address three issues in hopes of persuading my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who at this time are either against or undecided about expelling George Santos to ultimately vote ``yes.'' Those three issues are: fraud, due process, and election integrity. Regarding fraud, Mr. Speaker, both Federal and State laws would require jail time or a monetary fine or both for any of our constituents who tricked another person into an agreement to another American's disadvantage. Here, in the 2022 election, by his own admission, George Santos induced New York voters and donors throughout the Nation to support him by fraudulently creating an entire new person that donors and voters would support. Santos did this intentionally, figuring the uneducated, underemployed, and person of simple means he actually is could not earn the support of voters and donors. The facts of George Santos' fraud are not in dispute. George Santos is not the person he offered to voters. He didn't work where he said he did. He didn't go to school where he said he did. He is far from rich. He is not Jewish. His mother was not in the South Tower during 9/11. Therefore, the argument that New Yorkers voted George Santos in and that we should wait until November 2024 for voters to decide his fate is inherently flawed since voters weren't given a fair chance to determine who they were actually voting for, Mr. Speaker. While our constituents would go to jail or be fined for similar lies, one question we have before us today is whether we are going to hold George Santos to the same standard to which our constituents are held or a lesser one. Regarding due process, Mr. Speaker, we should clear up some things. It has been a while since I took Professor Sample's civil procedures class or Professor Ku's constitutional law class, but the due process clauses in our Fifth and 14th Amendments do not apply to House proceedings. Rather, the constitutional proceeding which does apply here is Article I, Section 5, Clause 2, which states clearly and simply: ``Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a Member.'' It is that simple, Mr. Speaker. While constitutional due process does not apply here, George Santos has actually been afforded every single element of it through the bipartisan Ethics Committee process. Due process requires notice and opportunity to be heard and a decision by a fair and impartial tribunal. First, Santos got his notice when the Ethics Committee informed him of the probe into his conduct. Second, Santos had every opportunity to be heard when the Ethics Committee invited him to confront the accusations against him, an invitation Santos rejected. Finally, his tribunal is us, the House of Representatives, whose collective impartiality is proven every day by the partisan fights we have day in and day out. Mr. Speaker, while this proceeding is not covered by the Due Process Clause, George Santos has indeed been afforded much more process than a person in his shoes deserves. Mr. Speaker, let me speak on the matter of election integrity. Before I came to the House, I was my county's elections commissioner for 7 years, where I fought for more integrity in our elections. As elections commissioner, I fought for removing deceased voters from our rolls, for voter ID, against fraudulently submitted absentee ballots, and against voters being registered in two different places. Following the 2016 and 2020 elections, Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle voted not to certify those elections, stating the results were not reliable. Tomorrow, by voting ``yes'' to expulsion, Republicans and Democrats can stand for election integrity and against voter fraud because there is no more provable case of election fraud before this Congress than George Santos' 2022 election fraud. Mr. Speaker, I offer that New Yorkers from Queens and Nassau Counties deserve better than George Santos, a total fraud and serial liar, representing them in Congress. Each day that Mr. Santos is allowed to remain a Member of Congress, my New York neighbors to the west are being denied real representation in these Halls. That is because their Representative is incapable of getting a bill passed, a project funded, or even sitting on a committee because he lacks the minimum amount of trust necessary to be a Member of Congress. Today, the best way to support my fellow New Yorkers and overcome George Santos' fraud is to expel George Santos from the House of Representatives.

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of the Protecting Our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023. Since President Biden took office and Secretary Mayorkas took charge of the Homeland Security Department, the United States has seen 7.5 million encounters nationwide, 6.2 million encounters at the Southwest border, and 1.7 million known got-aways who evaded U.S. Border Patrol. New York City is where many of these 1.7 million got-aways now live, and that is because of two policy choices: the administration's open border policy and New York's sanctuary city policies. Instead of changing his open border policies, President Biden has decided the way they are going to fix this mess is to lease Federal land, national parks, to build tent cities. Are they kidding me? Mr. Chair, this is not the solution. We also need to be disincentivizing sanctuary city policies, and I believe we should end Federal funding for the purpose of aiding this crisis in those jurisdictions. Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and fellow Long Islander, Mr. D'Esposito, for yielding me time to speak for my fellow New York colleagues who are joining us this afternoon. New Yorkers from Queens and Nassau Counties deserve better than George Santos--a total fraud and serial liar--representing them in Congress. Each day that Mr. Santos is allowed to remain a Member of Congress, my New York neighbors to the west are being denied real representation in these Halls. That is because their Representative is incapable of getting a bill passed, a project funded, or even sitting on a committee because he lacks the minimum amount of trust necessary of a Member of Congress. Today, the best way to support my fellow New Yorkers and overcome George Santos' fraud is to expel George Santos from the House of Representatives. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Santos has said expelling him before he is formally charged and found guilty would create new precedent in this body, one that could have negative consequences for generations. Respectfully, Mr. Speaker, I disagree. The consequences and precedents for not expelling him for his lies and fraud have the potential to do far more damage to this institution. I would submit today that we have an opportunity to set a new standard, a new precedent, that if a candidate for Congress makes his entire life up in order to defraud voters and donors and subsequently those voters reasonably rely on that candidate's lies to elect him or her, that we, the House of Representatives, will exercise the authority given to us in the Constitution to expel that Member. George Santos' lies are more widespread than even the most untrustworthy politicians, and these lies were necessary to get him elected. George Santos didn't just lie about his family's business dealings, like President Biden did, Santos lied about everything about his professional background, from his family's wealth to working for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. Santos committed this fraud, this election fraud, to create an entirely new persona that voters and donors could support. Santos' treasurer, his conspirator, recently pled guilty to their criminal conspiracy, which included faking a six-figure loan to the campaign to induce more contributions. George Santos didn't just lie about attending a school on full scholarship or finishing in the top half of his class, like President Biden did, rather, Santos went much further. To defraud voters and to swindle donors out of millions, George Santos lied about his entire education; not that he graduated in a certain part of his class, not that he received a specific award. Those lies are reserved for other slimy politicians and are worthy of different kinds of rebuke, less than expulsion. George Santos lied about attending and graduating from Baruch College, meanwhile, he never attended Baruch. He never took one class. The fabulist even made up an entire fictional story about how he was a star on the school's volleyball team. George Santos thinks that we are fools, Mr. Speaker. George Santos didn't just lie about being at Ground Zero on the day after September 11, like President Biden did, George Santos went much further, saying that his mother was in the south tower on 9/11 and escaped only to later die from a 9/11-related illness. Santos lied about his association with 9/11 to win over Long Island families, families of cops and firefighters and other innocent people who died on 9/11, and whose hearts were ripped out that fateful day. He did it as part of a broader scheme to defraud voters and donors to get him elected to Congress. To further defraud voters and swindle donors out of millions, George Santos even lied about being Jewish. Like his lies about his association with 9/11, Santos lied about being Jewish as part of a calculated attempt to win over voters in the district that Santos is attempting to trick who has a strong Jewish population. George Santos says the decision of whether he should remain in Congress should be left up to the people of New York's Third District. I would argue that these New Yorkers were robbed of this opportunity when they were duped into voting for a fictitious candidate to represent them in Congress. George Santos has stated himself that he lied about several parts of his life, including his education, and his mother dying as a result of 9/11. Today, 78 percent of his constituents support his expulsion from Congress. George Santos also falsely claims that his expulsion is barred by the Constitution's 5th and 14th Amendment's due process clauses. Yet, the due process clauses do not apply to House proceedings such as expulsions. Moreover, the Constitution more broadly affords the accused the knowledge of the accusation against him, the opportunity to be heard, the ability to confront his or her accuser, and to be afforded a speedy trial. Mr. Speaker, as of today, each of those conditions has been met. Nothing in the Constitution gives George Santos the right to endlessly stall and to abuse his office to seek a more preferable conviction or a plea deal. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Santos' behavior has shown a consistent disregard for the principles of bipartisanship, servant leadership, good governance, and civil discourse. He has shown no interest in being a serious Member of this Chamber or to do the people's work. A Member of Congress should be committed to the betterment of the Nation and willing to compromise for the greater good. His actions and statements have demonstrated a concerning lack of this commitment. Mr. Speaker, let's get the people of New York's Third District some decent representation. Let's raise the bar here in the House of Representatives. Let's hold one of our own accountable. Let's expel George Santos.

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of United States Navy Lieutenant Ridge Alkonis, who, for the last 365 days, has been unjustly jailed by the Japanese Government. The State Department and the Department of Defense need to demonstrate strength and exercise leverage and bring Ridge home and bring him home now. America needs to bring Ridge home for justice's sake. America needs to bring Ridge home to send a message to the 50,000 troops we have stationed in Japan that the brass, bureaucrats, and politicians have their backs. America needs to bring Ridge home to demonstrate to the Japanese that we are the United States of America, the world superpower, and our commitment to their defense against China and North Korea comes with a few conditions, and one of them is to treat our troops fairly. Madam Speaker, our government has negotiated for the release of other Americans who have done far less for our great Nation than an Active- Duty naval officer. America needs to bring Ridge home. A year in prison is far too long.

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding leadership of Dr. Doon Gibbs, who has dedicated his 40-year career at Brookhaven National Laboratory to advance science and technology to secure our Nation's future. Brookhaven National Laboratory is one of 17 national laboratories overseen and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Lab has yielded seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and countless advances in science, transformative technology, and pioneering research. Dr. Gibbs joined Brookhaven National Laboratory as an assistant physicist in 1983 and became the Director in 2013. Under his leadership, construction of the National Synchrotron Light Source II was completed on time, under budget, and with increased scope. Dr. Gibbs was also instrumental in overseeing the design and construction of the Lab's Center for Functional Nanomaterials. Dr. Gibbs's vision and leadership has enabled our nation's scientists to efficiently address challenges that are of critical importance to our national security. I thank Dr. Gibbs for his many years of service at Brookhaven National Laboratory and I wish him the best in his retirement.

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw attention to a critical veterans program that has been helping veterans in my district for years. The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program is a program that helps veterans deal with the invisible scars of war, including PTSD. This program was named after Iraq war veteran Army Private First Class Joseph Dwyer, a native of Mount Sinai, New York. After years of struggling with PTSD and addiction, PFC Dwyer passed away. He tried to seek help, but it was never enough. As a Navy veteran myself, I understand the difficulties many of our servicemembers face when they return home. I recently introduced the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act to help nationalize an important program that has been incredibly successful in my district. This program has a proven track record of success in helping veterans deal with their mental health issues in a safe and welcoming environment among their fellow veterans. My bipartisan bill would provide grants for State and local entities across the country to make the program easily accessible to all Americans. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense bill to help our veteran community. Calling for the Release of Kai Li

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call on the Chinese Communist Party to release Kai Li of Huntington Station, who has been unjustly held as a prisoner by the CCP since 2016. Mr. Li immigrated to the United States from China decades ago and soon after became a United States citizen. For years, Mr. Li visited China to see relatives and conduct business, never having an issue. Yet, in 2016, while Mr. Li was visiting Shanghai for the anniversary of his mother's passing, he was apprehended by Chinese police at the Shanghai airport. Mr. Li's secret trial ended in just an hour, and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for espionage. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Li is being detained unjustly and for purely political reasons. On March 17, I sent a letter to Secretary Blinken urging him to do everything possible to bring Mr. Li home. I again urge President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Ambassador Burns to bring Kai Li home. He and his family have suffered long enough. Let's bring him home. The Threat of the Chinese Communist Party

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the growing threat coming from the Chinese Communist Party. For too long, the Chinese Communist Party has been allowed to grow and spread its influence throughout the world. They have encroached on Taiwan's territorial sovereignty. They have developed in and around the Paracel and Spratly Islands, continuing to falsely claim their control over the South China Sea. They have supercharged the Belt and Road Initiative to spread their influence. They continue to lie to the world about COVID-19. The list goes on, Mr. Speaker. Every day, we read stories of the CCP's attempt to become the dominant power in the Indo-Pacific and around the world. Mr. Speaker, we must act in a bipartisan manner to address the threats from the Chinese Communist Party before it is too late.

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet on Monday next, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of International Women's Month and the important protections given to women and girls under Title IX. As a father of three young and wonderful girls, all of whom play sports, I understand the importance of celebrating female sports and the incredible opportunities and protections under Title IX. Unfortunately, some people want to erode these important protections by allowing biological men to compete alongside and against women and girls. A young woman having to compete against a biological young man who is often built different and bigger just isn't fair. It deprives young women of a fair sense of competition. It deprives them of the confidence that comes from practicing and winning. Mr. Speaker, Congress must act to protect our daughters; to give them a fair chance to compete; and to uphold the protections granted to them by Title IX.

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Madam Speaker, the border is not secure. Our officers are doing everything they can, but they need more resources. They need better leadership. The President must take the border crisis seriously because 100,000 Americans died from fentanyl poisoning last year, and we know that fentanyl is coming from China through the U.S.-Mexico border. Republicans in the House understand this. We stand ready to increase physical barriers, to hire more Border Patrol agents and immigration judges, to implement new technologies, and to support our officers on the front lines of this crisis. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am committed to working with all of my colleagues to make sure that our country is safe, our border is secure, and our law enforcement has the tools it needs to be successful. Our great Nation depends on it.

Mr. LaLOTA

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk, No. 143. The Clerk will designate the amendment.

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 21. Increasing American energy supplies decreases our Nation's reliance on our adversaries in the Middle East and Russia and is worthy of bipartisan support. H.R. 21 helps me keep a promise I made to Long Islanders that I would fight to make America energy independent by seeking opportunities to safely increase energy production. I made another promise, too. I promised to protect Long Island's waters, which are home to a vibrant ecosystem and are the foundation of an already struggling fishing industry. To keep that promise, I have introduced an amendment to H.R. 21. My simple amendment, which is less than 100 words, states that H.R. 21 cannot affect or supersede any existing restrictions on oil and gas leases offshore the northeast part of the United States, from the coast of Maine to New Jersey. Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues for their support of this commonsense, pro-energy, pro-worker, pro-environment, and pro-fishing amendment.

Mr. LaLOTA. I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington.

Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.