Carolyn Maloney

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I urge a positive vote on H.R. 23, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 23, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 26) to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to correct a provision on the prohibition on the use of a reverse auction, and for other purposes.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Comer and Khanna for their work on this bipartisan bill, and I thank Senators Portman and Peters for their work on last year's Senate companion. This measure would correct a provision of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2021 that was incorrectly inserted into the law. The language of this bill had been carefully crafted by the House Oversight and Reform Committee and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs over many months prior to the agreement to include it in last year's Consolidated Appropriations Act. The bill you see before you today honors that agreement and resolves the drafting error. The bill would prohibit the use of reverse auctions for the procurement of complex, specialized, or substantial design and construction services procured by the Federal Government. Such services would include site planning, architectural and engineering services, interior design, construction or substantial alteration of public buildings or public works, and substantial construction work for facility, infrastructure, and environmental restoration projects. Reverse auctions are generally a valuable tool to ensure the responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars through the acquisition process. In a reverse auction, a buyer seeking a good or service--in this case the Federal Government--solicits bids. Multiple sellers offer bids and the seller with the lowest bid wins the competition. However, in the specific instance of complex, specialized, or substantial design and construction services, the use of reverse auctions can be problematic. While the lowest price is often the goal for standardized goods and services, it is not the only factor that should be considered for these unique projects. Quality is also an important evaluation factor, especially for complex services, like design-build contracts for major public buildings or works. This bill would not prevent contracting officers from considering price in evaluating proposals for complex construction services, just the use of reverse auctions designed to achieve the lowest price without regard to quality. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 26, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 27) to amend chapter 3 of title 5, United States Code, to require the publication of settlement agreements, and for other purposes.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support this commonsense measure, and I thank Representatives Palmer and Cooper for their hard work on it. The Settlement Agreement Information Database Act would create a database of settlement agreements entered into by Federal agencies that relate to alleged violations of Federal, civil, or criminal law. The Office of Management and Budget would manage this database and set deadlines for submission. The heads of executive agencies would be required to submit details about the types of settlement agreements, the parties involved in the settlements, specific violations, and the dates on which the settlement agreements were agreed to. The information about the settlement agreements would remain public until 5 years after the termination of the agreements. The information in the agreements would remain subject to the Freedom of Information Act; but if the head of the agency decided to keep an entire agreement confidential, he or she would be required to provide an explanation of that action. This bill would improve the transparency surrounding settlement agreements, which in the past have been difficult for the public to access. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman has no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 27. I am strongly in support of this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, as co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, I rise today to honor the heroic Hellenic and American Philhellenic Women of the Greek War of Independence, whose consequential actions helped free Greece and her people from the yoke of the Ottoman Empire. As a member of the East Mediterranean Business Culture Alliance's American Hellenic Revolution Bicentennial Celebration Committee, and as we approach the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence, it is incumbent upon all of us to honor the legacy of these women and recognize how their actions influenced the relationship between the United States and Greece. I have the unique privilege of representing one of the largest Greek American communities in the U.S. in Astoria, Queens, and I am blessed to call many of them close friends. I'm especially honored that my friends in the Hellenic community have bestowed me with the nickname ``Bouboulina'' after Laskarina Bouboulina, one of the many great warriors of the Greek War of Independence and whose home I had the privilege of visiting in 2016. Bouboulina was a trailblazer in her own right and committed herself to the cause of a free and independent Greek state. And I rise not only to honor these brave women, but also recognize the Greek people's contributions to democracy, art, science, and literature, and to governments around the world, including our own. As the birthplace of democracy, Greece was an inspiration for the U.S. system of government. And just as Greece inspired our country, our revolution helped inspire the Greeks to revolt against the Ottomans. When the Greek War of Independence started, American Philhellenes and Greek American communities in the U.S. not only voiced their support for the cause, but actively supported their campaign. Greek Committees were formed in cities across the country to organize political and monetary support and send shiploads of humanitarian supplies to Greek revolutionaries. It may be safe to say that without the moral, intellectual, political, monetary and in-kind assistance of these Americans, the outcome of the Greek War for Independence might have been different. The ideals of freedom and democracy resonated for Americans who saw the plight of the Greeks suffering brutal slavery and massacres under the Ottoman Turkish oppressors. When the bells of the Revolution rang in 1821 and the cry ``Freedom or Death'' rang over the enslaved Greeks, American Philhellenes inspired a lobbying campaign in the United States for support of the Greek War of Independence, exciting the imaginations of many influential political and civil leaders in America. American Philhellenes fought to help Greece win freedom from over four hundred years of brutal tyranny and slavery under Ottoman Turks. These distinguished Americans included: President Thomas Jefferson, President John Adams, General Lafayette, President James Monroe, President John Quincy Adams, General Lafayette, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, General Sam Houston, Edward Livingston, Horace Mann, Dr. Edward Everett, Lieutenant General George Jarvis, Colonel Johnathan P. Miller, James L. Winthrop, Henry V. Post, John D. Ross, John R. Stuyvesant, William A. Washington, William Townsend Washington, Captain John M. Allen, Estwick Evans, Nicholas Biddle, Charles Carroll, Mathew Carey, George Wilson, James Williams, Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, and many others. Many of these same Philhellenes fought in the Greek War of Independence, some of whom lost their lives and are buried there. For the deeds of heroism and valor displayed at Missolonghi during the four years of siege by the Ottoman Empire from 1822 to 1826, the city has become the ``shrine'' of the Greek War of Independence. All nations whose Philhellenes aided Greece in its cause have monuments in the Garden of Heroes in memory of those who died in the Greek War of Independence. These monuments include a memorial erected by the Order of Sons of Pericles, the Junior Order of AHEPA in 1939, placed there by Congressional Resolution in memory of the American Philhellenes, which reads: ``As a tribute to and in commemoration of those patriotic Americans who, aided by the moral and material support and assistance of the entire American people, gave their services, their fortunes, and their lives to the cause of Greek Independence in the Greek Revolutionary War of 1821.'' Most notably, many of these American Philhellenes included future leaders of the Women's Suffrage and Abolitionist movements. As American women became involved in the effort, they connected the battle against Greek slavery under the Ottoman Empire with other female-led reform movements and over time their participation grew into an international movement, expanding female participation in the public sphere for both American and Greek women. Among the Philhellenes was Samuel Gridley Howe, an American physician and prominent Abolitionist, a member of the Secret Six, and an advocate of education, and education for the blind. He took up the Greek cause after earning a medical degree by joining the Greek army as Chief Surgeon of the Hellenic Navy and Commander during the Greek War of Independence. Howe was married to fellow Philhellene Julia Rush Ward Howe, an Abolitionist and early leader in the Women's Suffrage movement. She's known as the composer of the lyrics of the ``Battle Hymn of the Republic'' which became an anthem during the Civil War for Abolitionists, the anti-slavery movement, women's suffrage activists, and was quoted by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. throughout the civil rights movement. Emma Willard, who formed the Troy Society for the Advancement of Female Education in Greece, was one of the most outspoken advocates for the education of women. Among America's prominent Abolitionists and supporters of the Underground Railroad were Sarah Arms Miller and her husband, Colonel Johnathan P. Miller, who fought in the Greek War of Independence. He adopted a Hellenic orphan of the revolution, Lucas Miltiades Miller, who later became the first Greek American to serve in the U.S. Congress. Many children orphaned during the Greek War of Independence became adoptees and were brought to America, ultimately becoming prominent American citizens, scholars, and members of the armed services. And James Williams, an African American slave from Baltimore, joined the Greek revolutionaries and fought for Greece's freedom during the Battle of Navarino and was buried there in honor of his efforts. Trailblazers like Bouboulina, Willard, and Miller--who toppled their oppressors, demanded equality, and fought to enact change to benefit future generations of women--inspire my work in Congress every day. The example set by Hellenic and American Philhellenic women during the Greek War of Independence exemplifies the U.S.-Greece relationship that thrives to this day. It is because of our historic friendship, and shared commitment to liberal democratic values, that the U.S. and Greece continue to work on so many issues that have a profound effect on the world. After generations of oppression, Greece's freedom was hard-fought, and the Republic of Greece has become a shining example of democracy to the world. Greece and the Greek people are such critical allies and dear friends of the United States and I'm very proud to rise today in honor of the brave Hellenic and American Philhellenic women who played a pivotal role in securing the independence that Greece and her people celebrate to this day.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Justice Marcy S. Friedman. For the past three decades, Justice Friedman has capably presided over New York City courts. Justice Friedman was appointed as a Judge of the Housing Part of the Civil Court of New York City in 1991 and was elected to the Civil Court in 1994. In 2000, Justice Friedman was named a Supreme Court Justice by designation and assigned to the New York County Supreme Court, Civil Branch, to which she was re-elected in 2004. In 2012, Justice Friedman was named as a Justice of the Commercial Division, Supreme Court, Civil Branch, New York County. For the past few years, Justice Friedman has served as the Residential Mortgage Backed Securities Judge, working on some of the most complex cases in the courts. Justice Friedman is a graduate of Smith College, magna cum laude, and of the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, cum laude. She was an associate with Willkie, Farr and Gallagher LLP, a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society Civil Division, and a managing attorney at MFY Legal Services. Starting in 2000, Justice Friedman presided over an Individual Assignment Part in New York County, where she handled torts, commercial case, and a wide variety of other cases, including employment discrimination, insurance, and real estate. Justice Friedman is a long- term member of the New York County's Center fore where she has handled mass torts, including pharmaceutical and asbestos cases. Long committed to improving access to justice, Justice Friedman is a member of the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) Justice Center and a former member of the NYCLA Board of Directors. With the Justice Center, Justice Friedman chaired a Task Force on Housing Court. She also worked with NYCLA and other groups to organize a conference that brough together a distinguished group of prosecutors, defense lawyers, judges and scholars to address the racial impacts of criminal prosecutions of arraignments through sentencing. Justice Friedman has also lectured at the New York City Bar Association and at judicial seminars on various issues, including legal ethics and torts. After decades of dedicated service, Justice Friedman will be retiring on December 31, 2020. Her tenure has been highlighted by diligent scholarship and thorough review of complex cases. Justice Friedman's notable ability review and synthesize conflicting decisions has been as asset to the New York County Court, and she will be missed. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the accomplishments of Justice Marcy S. Friedman and expressing appreciation for her contributions to the people of New York.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak on an important aspect of this bill. My Corporate Transparency Act is the most important anticorruption, anti-money laundering bill in 20 years. When a terrorist cell or a criminal organization wants to move or hide money, they usually do it right here in the United States with a shell company. So the same terrorist groups that want to attack the United States are using our own financial system to finance those attacks. It is appalling, and it has to stop. My bill will end the abuse of anonymous shell companies in the United States by requiring companies to disclose their true beneficial owners to the Treasury Department at the time the company is formed. I want to thank my negotiating partners, Chairman Crapo, Ranking Member Brown, Chairwoman Waters, and Ranking Member McHenry, and I congratulate Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Thornberry for all of their hard work on this bill.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her leadership and for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the MORE Act. I applaud my colleagues, Chairman Nadler and Vice President-elect Harris, for their leadership. It is past time that Congress answers the call for reform for low-level marijuana conviction justice. This sweeping legislation would officially remove cannabis from the list of federally controlled harmful substances, protect medical cannabis businesses, and expunge low-level marijuana convictions that have disproportionately harmed people and communities of color. The MORE Act would also help those whose convictions are overturned through an opportunity trust fund that would provide job training, reentry assistance, and legal aid. If we are serious about criminal justice reform, we need to get rid of the antiquated cannabis laws that disproportionately harm people of color. The MORE Act would do just that. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 20th anniversary of the Jed Foundation and to commend the Foundation's cofounders, Donna and Phillip Satow, for their unrelenting dedication to improving mental health among teens and young adults. The Jed Foundation, which is headquartered in my district, has become a national leader in the development of policies, programs, and systems to nurture mental and emotional health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults. In the past 20 years, The Jed Foundation has provided programs and resources that have helped more than 3,000 high schools, colleges and universities across the country strengthen their mental health safety nets. After the tragic loss of their son Jed, Donna and Phillip Satow established the Jed Foundation to better equip all teens and young adults to navigate mental health challenges, successfully enter adulthood, and meet their full potential. The Satows recognized the need for a uniform model for suicide prevention on college and university campuses, and they understood the importance of addressing the stigma and secrecy associated with mental health in these communities. With this vision in mind, the Jed Foundation created JED Campus, a program that implements a comprehensive approach to mental health and substance abuse. In the past two decades JED Campus has been utilized by over 300 colleges, representing nearly 3.7 million students, across the nation. Additionally, the Jed Foundation has partnered with over 1,600 colleges and universities to utilize the foundation's ULifeline.org on line resource center, which provides students with information about mental health and how to seek help if they are struggling. From ensuring that mental health resources are culturally responsive for Latinx teens, young adults, and their families, to conducting in- depth research on how communities can effectively understand and support the mental health of LBGTQ+ teens and young adults, the Jed Foundation has gone above and beyond to address the mental health needs of diverse communities. Madam Speaker, I recognize the Jed Foundation for its outstanding public service, and I laud Donna and Phillip Satow's continued commitment to promoting the well-being of students, families, and schools. They have improved the lives and mental health outcomes of millions of students in their twenty years of service, and I wish them the best as they continue their lifesaving work.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the extraordinary service of Adam Grogg, who served in the House's Office of General Counsel as an Associate General Counsel. During his tenure, Mr. Grogg played an integral role in safeguarding the legal interests of the House of Representatives and its Members, Officers, and employees in connection with federal court litigation involving issues of the highest institutional importance. Specifically, Mr. Grogg provided invaluable legal counsel and representation to numerous Committees of the House, greatly assisting them both in fulfilling their constitutionally authorized oversight functions and defending those prerogatives in litigation. In particular, Mr. Grogg's legal work has significantly contributed to the Committee on Oversight and Reform's investigation and litigation related to the 2020 decennial census. Additionally, Mr. Grogg has provided vital legal counsel to the House regarding the presidential impeachment, as well as with respect to the defense of long-standing institutional powers, including the House's constitutional authority to adopt rules permitting its Members to participate in the legislative process remotely by proxy during an unprecedented global pandemic. Mr. Grogg's work on behalf of the House has been of the highest caliber and I have no doubt that his next employer will benefit from his exceptional legal counsel. On behalf of the entire House community, I thank Mr. Grogg for his dedicated service to the House, and I wish for him the very best in all of his future endeavors.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. As a member of the New York City Council, I became the first woman in history to give birth while in office as a council member. There had been many men who had become fathers, but I was the first woman. So I know firsthand how physically draining and stressful it is to work while pregnant. Some of the only good news coming out of the COVID-19 lockdown is that there has been a dramatic drop in the number of premature births. In Denmark, the rate of babies born preterm dropped by 90 percent during the lockdown. So the accommodations in this bill can keep mothers and babies safe. It is strongly pro-family. This bill is an incredible step in the right direction. Once we ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, we will have an anchor in the Constitution to pass even more robust protections for women and families. I urge a strong ``yes.'' It is long overdue.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure before us.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I likewise, urge passage of H.R. 4894, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 2193) to require the Administrator of General Services to issue guidance to clarify that Federal agencies may pay by charge card for the charging of Federal electric motor vehicles, and for other purposes.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous materials on the measure before us.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1668) to leverage Federal Government procurement power to encourage increased cybersecurity for Internet of Things devices, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure before us.