Doris Matsui

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 9616, the Environmental Monitoring and Remediation Technology Assessment Initiative Authorization Act. This bill would help us reach the dual goals of cleaning up toxic sites while also ensuring critical minerals found at those sites don't go to waste. This bill authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a grant program to identify and recover critical minerals from contaminated sites. There are countless Superfund and other contaminated industrial sites across the country, including in my home district. Many of these sites have been abandoned for decades, with local communities suffering the consequences. While we clean up through public funds, we could also help replenish our domestic supply of critical minerals needed for clean energy projects to save American families money on soaring energy bills, and those bills are soaring now thanks to Trump's reckless war of choice in Iran. This program is a shot in the arm for emerging technologies to extract critical minerals from contaminated sites and waste that would otherwise sit in landfills. It also has an added benefit of incentivizing cleanups of some of the world's worst toxic sites in the Nation. This program is a clear win-win for the environment and our domestic supply chain. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 9616, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, Republicans claim we need to nullify this waiver because the cost of compliance is being passed on to consumers. This simply isn't true. My colleagues conveniently ignore the fact that the price of diesel is at a record high, at least $6 per gallon, thanks to Trump's reckless war in Iran. Gas prices are 35 percent higher compared to this time last year, and Americans have spent more than $105 billion more on gasoline and diesel fuel since the start of Trump's war in Iran. The cost of compliance with the At-Berth Rule is estimated to be a fraction of a cent per gallon of fuel. Even if this were to be entirely passed through consumers, it is estimated to be only $3 per year for the average California driver, for $2.4 billion in net public health benefits. Those benefits would be lost if this resolution is enacted. What is more, this resolution would drive an increase in expensive diesel fuel use and cause consumer prices to skyrocket even more, not to mention that repealing protections that are already working will lead to billions in stranded assets at ports across the State. Industry has already achieved over 95 percent compliance with this rule in 2025. There is no reason to abandon these standards now. Nullifying this waiver does nothing to save Americans money. It drives up toxic diesel pollution that endangers the public health of our communities at a time when our healthcare system is already decimated, thanks to Republicans and the big, ugly bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on this resolution, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, before I turn it over to my colleague from California, I will dispel some misinformation. My Republican colleague asserted that the technology needed to comply with California's at-berth amendments doesn't exist or that it will force ocean-going vessels into retirement and disrupt supply chains. However, would the compliance rate for 2025 be 95 percent if the technology was nonexistent? Of course not. The industry has proven that compliance with the standard is achievable and not forcing vessels into retirement. The reality is that over 3,400 vessel visits used shore-power technology, where the operator shuts off the vessel's auxiliary engines and switches to shore-side power to supply the electricity needs of the dock vessels. This is going to be very achievable, and all of the arguments put forth are moot. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.J. Res. 210. Once again, congressional Republicans are doing everything they can to harm the health of Californians for seemingly no other reason than to score political points. Large cargo ships and oil tankers are a major source of pollution for communities living and working around California's ports. More than 30 percent of all container cargo arriving in the U.S. passes through California's ports, and that is a lot of ships. When those ships dock at California's ports, they are running diesel generators day and night. That creates a lot of pollution, and that pollution has serious health impacts on the communities that live around our ports. Like many industrial areas, communities living around ports are often disadvantaged, minority communities who are overburdened with pollution from many different sources, so this is also an environmental justice issue. That is why California has taken commonsense steps to regulate pollution for large ocean-going vessels. The solution is very simple. We are not talking about some futuristic, science fiction technology. We just want to plug it in and run the ship on electricity supplied by the port. This is 100 percent feasible and, in fact, most industries are already in compliance. This simple solution is expected to reduce cancer risk in communities living near major ports by as much as 55 percent and save $2.3 billion in public health costs. California's regulations are saving lives. They are saving money. They are achievable and, most importantly, they don't impact any other States whatsoever. Once again, I have to wonder why are congressional Republicans attacking California's port pollution regulations other than to score points in a cynical, political game. It is playing with Californians' lives, and we won't stand for it. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of H.R. 2140, and I am proud to lead the Diesel Emissions Reductions Act. I am thankful to Representatives Calvert, Langworthy, and Pingree for working with my office to advance this bill and to secure consistent annual funding for the Diesel Emission Reductions Act program, known as DERA. For more than two decades, DERA has been a model of effective bipartisan policymaking. First authorized in 2005, the DERA program has helped replace or retrofit thousands of old diesel trucks, buses, and other diesel engines. Diesel pollution is linked to lung damage, cancer, and heart disease. Replacing older diesel vehicles and engines has meaningfully reduced pollution in communities across the country and delivered billions of dollars in public health benefits. I am proud to work with my bipartisan co-leads, especially in this hyperpartisan moment, to continue supporting DERA and to continue driving down diesel pollution. Under the DERA program, California has replaced thousands of polluting trucks, tractors, and school buses. Fifty-eight percent of DERA projects go toward replacing old diesel school buses. Thanks to DERA, children across California and the country are breathing cleaner and healthier air as they ride to school. Now, as diesel prices reach at least $6 per gallon--more in California--DERA is more important than ever. DERA doesn't just save lives. It saves fuel, too, and that saves everyone money. Diesel vehicles move our food, plow our fields, deliver packages, and stock our shelves. When diesel prices go up, families pay more for everyday goods. DERA helps save money by replacing old, inefficient diesel vehicles with newer, more efficient vehicles that use less fuel. DERA also saves money by avoiding diesel altogether and switching vehicles to other cleaner fuels, like propane, natural gas, or electricity. EPA estimates that DERA projects have saved more than 572 million gallons of diesel. At $6 a gallon, that is $3.4 billion saved. That means cleaner air, lower operating costs, and better use of taxpayer dollars. I am proud to lead the reauthorization of this practical, bipartisan program that is delivering real results for communities across the country. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative, or Cal EPIC, for its significant contributions to advance the region's zero-carbon goals, strengthen the local workforce, and establish the Greater Sacramento area as a national hub for clean mobility innovation. In 2019, four distinguished regional institutions: the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sacramento State University, and the University of California, Davis, came together to establish the California Mobility Center, now known as Cal EPIC, with a bold and forward looking vision to strengthen the clean energy workforce, foster innovation, and position the Sacramento region as a leader in the clean energy economy. Cal EPIC has reached another significant milestone with the opening of its Innovation Hub. This 33,000-square-foot research, development, manufacturing, and workforce accelerator brings together cutting-edge technology, hands-on training, and industry collaboration under one roof. The Hub includes dedicated office, classroom, and meeting space; 5,000 square feet for EV technician training in partnership with Rivian Automotive; a 3,500-square-foot manufacturing and prototyping lab; and the 10,000-square-foot Capital Charge Yard, a $4 million EV charger testing center funded by the California Energy Commission. Through interoperability testing, vehicle-to-grid experimentation, and workforce development, the Innovation Hub is creating new opportunities for innovation, preparing workers for the clean-energy economy, and helping position Greater Sacramento at the forefront of the Nation's transition to clean transportation. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the California Energy, Power, and Innovation Collaborative for its leadership and commitment to build a stronger, more innovative, and prosperous clean energy economy in the Sacramento region.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Cosumnes River College (CRC) Athletics Department as it celebrates 55 years of athletic excellence. File CRC Athletic Program has become a model of academic and athletic achievement in the Sacramento region and across California's community college system. Competing in one of the most demanding conferences in the state, CRC student-athletes have distinguished themselves not only through their performance in competition, but through their leadership, character, and service to the campus and community they represent. The 2025-26 academic year stands among the most successful in the departments history. Eight of CRC's ten athletic programs earned postseason berths, and the softball program advanced to the 2026 3C2A State Championship. The CRC Athletics Department earned twenty-five All-Conference selections and three All-American honors. The achievements on the field were matched in the classroom, where the department posted a cumulative 3.401 grade-point average: the highest in CRC Athletics history. One hundred and eight student athletes earned the Scholar-Athlete recognition, including thirty-six who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average overall. Under the leadership of Athletic Director Collin Pregliasco, CRC Athletics has built a culture in which academic excellence and top- notch-on-the-field performance go hand in hand. Early mornings, long bus rides and countless hours of training have shaped CRC student athletes to embody the discipline, accountability, and perseverance that define Hawks tradition and generational success. Mr. Speaker, I invite all my colleagues to join me in honoring the Cosumnes River College Athletics Department on fifty-five years of excellence. We celebrate the student-athletes, coaches and staff whose dedication continues to build a legacy of triumph, leadership, and opportunity for generations to come.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Christian Brothers High School as it celebrates 150 years of distinguished service and education in the Sacramento region. Since its founding in 1876, Christian Brothers High School has served as one of Sacramento's most respected institutions, dedicated to the Lasallian tradition of faith, community, and service. For a century and a half, Christian Brothers has remained committed to providing a rigorous academic foundation while fostering integrity, leadership, and compassion in its students. From its original home downtown to its current campus in Oak Park, the school has continually adapted to the needs of its neighbors while preserving its core mission: ``Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve.'' Over the course of its 150-year history, Christian Brothers has expanded its academic programs, strengthened its commitment to inclusive education, and earned numerous national honors. The school's faculty has consistently upheld the values of St. John Baptist De La Salle, encouraging students to pursue curiosity, service, and personal growth. Its celebrated arts programs, competitive athletics, and wide variety of student-led clubs and initiatives reflect a campus culture rich in leadership and fellowship. This milestone is a testament to the thousands of lives affected by Lasallian education, the wisdom and insight of its educators, and the core principles instilled across generations. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Christian Brothers High School's 150 years of education and service to the Sacramento community.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Paul Lau on his retirement as Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), capping an extraordinary 44 years of service to our region. Paul's remarkable journey at SMUD began in 1982 as an electrical engineering student at California State University, Sacramento. After graduating in 1984, he returned as an assistant electrical engineer and steadily rose through the organization. He joined SMUD's executive leadership team in 2008, served as chief grid strategy and operations officer, and was appointed CEO and General Manager in October 2020. Paul never saw SMUD as simply a utility. He saw the way it could improve people's lives. He approached every challenge with curiosity, humility, and a profound commitment to the community. Under Paul's leadership, SMUD became a national model for innovation, reliability, affordability, and community partnership. Its rates remain among the lowest in California, saving customers more than $1.9 billion each year. Paul also led SMUD to become the first publicly owned utility in California to join the Western Energy Imbalance Market, an initiative saving customers more than $350 million. Long before many utilities were seriously confronting the challenges of decarbonization, grid resilience, and electrification, Paul demonstrated how those goals could be achieved without losing sight of reliability or affordability. Through initiatives like the Neighborhood Electrification Program, he also worked to ensure that underserved communities could share fully in the benefits of our clean energy future. Paul's service extended far beyond SMUD. He helped strengthen the Sacramento region through his work with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Valley Vision, and the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. He also shaped the national energy conversation through his service with the Smart Electric Power Alliance, the American Public Power Association, and the Large Public Power Council. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring Paul Lau for his 44 years of dedicated service to SMUD, his visionary leadership in advancing clean energy and economic opportunity across the Sacramento region, and his lifelong commitment to the 1.5 million people SMUD proudly serves.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commemorate June 14, 2026, through June 20, 2026 as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) Awareness Week. FAP is a rare, inherited genetic condition that causes the development of thousands of colorectal polyps, and without early detection and treatment, it carries a near certainty of progression to colorectal cancer. It is estimated to affect approximately 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 22,0000 individuals, with many cases arising from spontaneous genetic mutations. While FAP is rare, its impact is profound, often affecting multiple generations within a family and requiring lifelong medical management, genetic counseling, and proactive surveillance beginning in adolescence. As someone committed to improving rare disease care, I believe FAP Awareness Week highlights the need for greater publilc education and earlier screening. When identified early, FAP can be effectively managed to dramatically reduce the risk of cancer and save lives. However, many individuals remain undiagnosed until the disease has progressed. Hence, there is the urgent need for increased awareness among both the public and healthcare providers. This week highlights the importance of raising awareness about hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes, supporting individuals and families impacted by them, and expanding access to genetic testing and specialized care. It also underscores the vital role of research, advocacy, and early detection in improving outcomes for people living with rare genetic conditions. This recognition honors patients, families, clinicians, and advocates who continue to raise awareness of FAP and work tirelessly to ensure that no diagnosis comes too late. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring June 14, 2026, through June 20, 2026, as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Awareness Week.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, for decades, the Sacramento Area Sewer District has played a vital role in safeguarding the health and well- being of our communities by maintaining and operating one of the Nation's most extensive wastewater collection systems. Serving more than 1.6 million residents across the Sacramento region, the District manages over 5,000 miles of sewer pipelines and 112 pump stations, ensuring reliable wastewater service throughout the region. The District's Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Projects have become especially important in rural and underserved communities where aging and failing septic systems pose significant risks to groundwater, waterways, and public health. With support from federal funding, alongside critical state and local investments, the Sacramento Area Sewer District successfully connected 57 households in Hood and 28 households in Franklin to reliable public sewer service. These projects reduce the threat of septic leakage and contamination to nearby drinking wells and sensitive waterways, including Franklin Creek, Stone Lake Slough, and the Sacramento River. Beyond infrastructure improvements, these conversion projects represent an investment in environmental justice and quality of life for Sacramento County residents. By replacing outdated septic systems with modern sewer connections, the District is helping to protect and ensure safer and cleaner neighborhoods for future generations. This achievement reflects the dedication and expertise of the Sacramento Area Sewer District's leadership, engineers, field crews, and community partners who continue to work tirelessly to deliver essential services to the people of Sacramento County. Their efforts have strengthened regional infrastructure while preserving the natural resources that are vital to California's future. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Sacramento Area Sewer District for its leadership and continued commitment to advancing public health, environmental protection, and infrastructure modernization through its Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Projects.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in support of H.R. 5201, Kari's Law Reporting Act. In an emergency, there is no room for confusion or delay. Every second counts, and every American should have confidence that when they dial 911, help is on the way. This is why Congressman Bilirakis and I partnered in this bipartisan bill. It builds upon Kari's Law, which Congress passed in 2018, to require multiline telephone systems to allow direct dialing of 911 without needing to dial an extra digit. That law came from the tragic murder of Kari Hunt when her daughter couldn't reach emergency services from a hotel phone because she didn't know she needed to dial an extra 9 first. Our bill helps ensure the law is working as intended by directing the FCC to report on compliance in hotels, offices, and facilities nationwide. That kind of accountability matters, and we need to make sure these lifesaving protections are being followed and practiced. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the Kari's Law Reporting Act.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5200, the Emergency Reporting Act, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Emergencies can happen anywhere at any time, and in those moments every second counts. When a family calls 911, they should never be met with silence. During major disasters, we have seen communications fail, and too often we are left without clear answers about what went wrong or how to prevent it from happening again. That is why I am proud to lead the Emergency Reporting Act, a bipartisan bill, with Congressman Bilirakis that helps fix this. My bill directs the FCC to report after natural disasters on the extent to which people couldn't reach 911 and to recommend ways to improve outage reporting, resiliency, and coordination with State and local officials. It also addresses unreported outages, so 911 call centers and first responders aren't left in the dark when services are disrupted. I am really glad that we are advancing this bill today alongside other bipartisan efforts to strengthen our emergency communications systems and save lives. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services as it celebrates 50 years of distinguished service to the Sacramento region. For five decades, the Sacramento Food Bank has strengthened our community through advocacy and an unwavering commitment to those in need. That legacy is built on the dedication of their leadership, board, and staff; people who have given their time, their creativity, and their heart to this work. Guided by a mission to nourish our community members, the Sacramento Food Bank has worked tirelessly to fight poverty and hunger in Sacramento County by removing barriers for families and individuals. This organization has ensured that no child goes hungry, struggling families get back on their feet, seniors are nourished, and immigrants and refugees make Sacramento home, setting up those in need for self- sufficiency and financial independence. Through their 112 partner agencies, the Sacramento Food Bank delivers accessible programs, including neighborhood distributions, CalFresh outreach, Food for Seniors, diaper distribution, legal services, SMUD Energy Help, and unwavering advocacy in addressing root causes of food insecurity and poverty. Their work has advanced policy reforms and strengthened programs at the local, state and national levels. This milestone honors the resilience of those in need, the commitment of staff and volunteers, and the partnerships that help them meet demands. Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring the Sacramento Food bank's 50 years of compassion and advocacy for Sacramento.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise today to honor the life of Phyllis Johnson, who passed away on January 13, 2026. Phyllis was a pillar of our community, and her life was marked by unwavering dedication and service to others. Ms. Johnson worked with California State Retirees, Chapter 2, in Sacramento. As a devoted member, she generously gave her time and energy in numerous leadership roles, serving as both President and Vice President, and contributing her talents on the Membership Committee. Phyllis had a deep passion for supporting fellow members and strengthening the organization she cared so deeply about. She was known for her steady leadership, her willingness to lend a helping hand, and her genuine concern for the well-being of others. In addition, Phyllis worked with SEIU Local 1000 as DLC 762 President and with the Sacramento Central Labor Council, where she was a tireless advocate. She also served as a member of the City of Galt Commission on Aging. Phyllis represented state workers, state retirees, working families, and seniors. Mr. Speaker, as family, friends, and the community gather to celebrate the life of Phyllis Johnson, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring her remarkable legacy of service and compassion. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because history is not just being forgotten, it is being erased. In 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, approving the removal of American citizens of Japanese descent to remote camps. My parents and grandparents were among the 120,000 forced to leave their homes and their businesses. They were sent by their own government, our government, to a camp in Poston, Arizona. They lived in appalling conditions, surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards, solely because of who they were. I was born in that internment camp, and that history lives with me every day. It drives me to fight for my neighbors, for their rights, for their dignity because that injustice didn't begin with barbed wire and armed soldiers. It began with fear, with racist, incendiary rhetoric, and with leaders who decided unjustly to single out an entire community as a threat. That is why the National Park Service's decision to remove references to the incarceration of Japanese Americans, along with other hard truths about our history, is not benign. It is deeply reckless. History is not just something we remember. It is something that teaches. When we strip away the truth, we strip away all the warnings that go along with it. In fact, during World War II, Fort Bliss in Texas was used as a detention center for Japanese Americans. Today, you don't see a sign. You see another active detention center. This administration is detaining children on the same ground used to unjustly hold people during one of our country's darkest chapters. We are, once again, seeing people singled out because of who they are. ICE is ripping families apart. Innocent people are being hurt. Children are being detained. Again, we hear incendiary rhetoric at the highest levels of power, language that dehumanizes, that scapegoats, that tells people who to fear, and who to blame. We have been down that road before. When fear is normalized, when lies are repeated, injustice is excused, and when history is erased, it becomes easier to repeat it. Our national parks are not just places of beauty. They are public classrooms. They carry the responsibility to tell the full American story, especially the parts that expose how fragile our freedoms truly are. That is why I have fought to expand and protect the Japanese American Confinement Sites grant program to make sure that these places are preserved and accessible, not hidden, not sanitized, not erased. Because civil liberties are not self-sustaining. Democracy is not self- fulfilling. We must work at it. History does not protect us unless we are willing to tell it. I believe that this is a great and wonderful country, but that promise only survives if we confront our past honestly and refuse to let fear write our future. Mr. Speaker, I will not be silent about our past. I will not stop fighting for our future.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this bill. This should be called the lower healthcare premiums for none act. Next year, my constituent, Natalie's, insurance will go from $175 to $400 a month, a fifth of her monthly wages. She is a college student who relies on her insurance for mental health care. She wrote to me: I don't want to pick between my dream, mental health, and food. What does this bill do for her? Nothing. I know Republicans are getting similar calls. Yet, instead of caring about the millions of Americans who are being forced to make impossible choices, they are putting up this sham of a bill. They should be ashamed. Mr. Speaker, we came here to deliver for our constituents. Let's vote on a clean extension and avert the cliff. Let's put an end to this scam.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and their unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of the Greater Sacramento Area. Founded in 2000, the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District ``Metro Fire'' is a testament to the power of unity and a shared passion for public safety. This robust California Special District was forged from the strategic unification of 16 smaller, independent departments, culminating in the final merger of the American River Fire Department and Sacramento County Fire Protection District. Today, Metro Fire is a vital safeguard for the lives of over 720,000 Sacramentans across a 359-square-mile area. From humble beginnings, it has evolved into one of the largest and most responsive fire agencies in California, operating 41 state of the art fire stations strategically positioned across the region. Sacramentans can rest assured knowing Metro Fire's highly trained professionals are prepared to handle a diverse range of emergency situations. Beyond emergency response, the Metro Fire district excels in building public trust and ensuring transparency. Their commitment to providing timely and relevant data empowers the public, community leaders, and decision makers to make informed, data driven choices. My mission as your congresswoman has always been to ensure our region's first responders are equipped with the absolute best tools and technology the federal government can help provide. Our partnership has expanded training for ``front line'' firefighters and advanced rescue capabilities through the acquisition of cutting-edge thermal imaging technologies to better locate victims in low-visibility environments. As we look ahead, I remain committed to working with Metro Fire to keep them on the frontline of emergency and disaster response, with the resources necessary for any situation they may face. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending the dedicated men and women of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District for 25 years of exceptional service and their enduring promise to the community.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Chair, I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 3898. Clean water used to be something we all agreed upon. The Clean Water Act was originally passed by an overwhelmingly bipartisan majority because we understood that clean water is not a luxury. It is really a basic right. Now, Republicans in this Chamber are doing everything they can to roll back and repeal what is left of the Clean Water Act. Among the many disastrous provisions in this bill, the PERMIT Act would give President Trump the authority to declare any body of water exempt from Clean Water Act protections. It is just a stunning betrayal of the American people. Outside these walls, Americans overwhelmingly support the Clean Water Act. Survey after survey has found that Americans believe the government should do more to protect our lakes, rivers, and streams, not less. This should not be a hard vote. I urge my colleagues to protect clean water and urge a ``no'' vote on H.R. 3898.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, today we will vote on the Destroying Unnecessary, Misaligned, and Prohibitive (DUMP) Red Tape Act, which would require the SBA's Office of Advocacy to codify a Red Tape Hotline to receive submissions on burdensome regulations and to report on those submissions. I will vote ``no'' because this bill is redundant--there is already a hotline in place for reporting red tape. Rather than improving the process, this bill would create an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy that would hinder, not help, the ongoing work of the SBA's Office of Advocacy.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the career and legacy of La Shelle Dozier as she retires from her position as executive director of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), where she has served my constituents for over twenty-three years. I ask all of my colleagues to join me to acknowledge her distinguished career. Since first joining SHRA in 2002, La Shelle has been integral to the agency's operations and has had a transformative effect on affordable housing opportunities in Sacramento. Starting as a management analyst, La Shelle quickly learned every facet of the Sacramento housing industry. She rose very quickly to managing the transformation of South Sacramento's Franklin Villa into the 360-unit Phoenix Park. She also directed resident services and oversaw the Housing Choice Voucher program that today supports more than 13,000 of my constituents with up to 100 percent of their rent needs. La Shelle formally took leadership of SHRA in 2008, where she successfully pushed the agency to transform legacy projects into model affordable housing developments that continue to inspire communities across the country to do more to address the housing crisis. In 2012, I worked with La Shelle and SHRA to secure a $300,000 planning grant to begin the process of redeveloping the Twin Rivers public housing project, now called Marisol Village, an affordable housing project. Thirteen years of partnership later, and after securing over $32 million in federal funding, Marisol Village is now double its original size at 427 units. Most importantly the community now provides my constituents with vital resources, like a full suite of resident services, green space, childcare facilities, a light rail station and cultural amenities, right at their doorstep. I am proud to have worked with La Shelle to create real positive impact with Sacramento's federal tax dollars right here in our community. La Shelle Dozier's tenure at SHRA is a shining example of what makes Sacramento special. La Shelle knows firsthand that often it takes a village to build a village. Time and time again I have joined La Shelle in support of SHRA's projects and witnessed her build a wide coalition of local, state and federal partners to bring a safe and healthy home to those who need it most. The work that La Shelle and her team have done is truly indicative of why I love our region. Here in Sacramento, we lift up our community and seek to create positive and lasting impacts for all Sacramentans. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the career and legacy of the SHRA Executive Director, La Shelle Dozier.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate International Plasma Awareness Week, an annual campaign dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of source plasma collection, recognizing the valued contributions of donors, and increasing understanding about plasma protein therapies and the rare diseases they treat. As co-chair of the Congressional Rare Disease Caucus and a member of the Congressional Plasma Caucus, this annual event, celebrated from October 6 to 10 this year, is close to my heart. For many people with rare diseases, plasma-derived therapies mean the difference between life and death, or between a life of diminished health and physical limitations and one filled with hope and possibility. For example, Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare but serious neurological disorder that can lead to rapid muscle weakness and, in severe cases, paralysis. A related condition, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), is characterized by ongoing nerve inflammation that can significantly impair mobility and quality of life. For both these conditions, immunoglobulins reduce inflammation, regulate the immune system, and help patients regain function. Most patients with CIDP require life-long treatment to manage their symptoms. In the case of primary immunodeficiencies, hemophilia, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and other conditions, the body does not make important proteins, or those proteins are functionally damaged. These patients also rely on plasma-derived medicine to replace their programs and restore their health. In most cases, plasma-derived therapies are the only available treatment for these conditions. That is why it's so important that we raise awareness of the importance of plasma-derived therapies this week, and work to improve access to these unique biologic products. I'm committed to working to ensure that every individual, regardless of how rare their disease may be, has access to the therapies they need to lead healthier, fuller lives.

Ms. MATSUI

Ms. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding me time. I rise today to speak in opposition to H.R. 3015. Coal is the dirtiest form of energy and also one of the most expensive. Coal-fired power plants spew toxic pollutants into the air, including sulfur dioxide, mercury, lead, soot, and arsenic. These pollutants are disastrous for human health, causing neurological damage, lung cancer, and even premature death. No one wants to breathe this stuff. That is why we closed all of the coal plants in California. You might remember acid rain. That was caused by coal plants. Acid rain didn't magically go away. We put in place regulations that limited basic toxic pollutants from coal, and that is what stopped acid rain. The Trump administration even acknowledges this. Secretary Kennedy has spent his career railing against the coal energy and its pollution. The Trump administration's ``Make America Healthy Again'' report celebrates the progress we have made in reducing toxic air pollution, progress we made in part by regulating coal mines. However, now President Trump and Republicans are rolling back regulations on coal plants, preventing old coal plants from retiring and reestablishing the National Coal Council. They even gave a tax break to coal mining. It is not just dangerous. It is expensive. Coal power is now 28 percent more expensive than it was just 4 years ago. In fact, it is often cheaper to build an entirely new solar power plant than it is just to keep a coal plant running. That is why nearly 800 coal power plants have been retired in the last 25 years. They are just too expensive, and we have cheaper, cleaner options. I really thought that President Trump and Republicans campaigned on lowering costs. Well, more coal power means higher electric bills. I don't know about you, but I think Americans are already paying too much for electricity. Once again, Republicans are selling out their own constituents to boost the profits of big, polluting corporations. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.