Grace Meng

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the amendment.

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time. Amendment No. 61 Offered by Mr. Steube

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, as mentioned before, our participation is in the United States' interest. I oppose this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 8771, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025. As a daughter of immigrants and as the Representative of one of the most diverse communities in our Nation, I know firsthand the impact of world events on my friends and neighbors in Queens, but for the second straight year, the GOP is turning our back on the world by cutting critical investments in U.S. diplomacy and development, attacking women's rights, and retreating from the world stage. This government spending bill would slash the State and foreign operations budget to the lowest level in over a decade. It undermines America's long legacy of leadership that has lifted millions out of poverty, stemmed diseases like HIV and malaria, helped millions of children learn to read and write, and supported the most vulnerable in their time of need. Mr. Chair, $7.6 billion in funding cuts will isolate us from our allies and the international conflicts we are confronting together. These cuts would gut women's health and rights around the world, putting maternal health and the well-being of millions of children at risk. Furthermore, this bill would codify the Trump-era global gag rule, forcing healthcare organizations across the world that receive aid from the U.S. to choose between providing a full range of healthcare options to their patients or forgoing U.S. assistance altogether. From healthcare and climate change to diplomacy and security, this legislation falls woefully short of the resources we need to address the international crises we are facing today. America alone is not America First. From my community of Queens and its connection to so many others across the globe, I am voting against this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, during Roll Call Vote No. 264, I mistakenly recorded my vote as no when I should have voted aye on Gaetz Amendment No. 40. Amendment No. 41 Offered by Mr. Grothman

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, this was subsequently blocked by the Supreme Court. We cannot let this latest attempt succeed. Calling this legislation the Equal Representation Act is an oxymoron, and I am voting ``no'' and urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 7109, the Equal Representation Act. The U.S. Constitution requires a count of the whole number of persons in each State. Counting has been the legal, historical, and constitutional practice ever since the first Census was conducted in 1790. A citizens-only Census, as this legislation intends, is reckless, cynical, and, frankly, illegal. It is not the Census Bureau's job to keep track of immigration status. It is also not the Census Bureau's job to determine one's allegiance, just like the insurrectionists on January 6. We have agencies for both of those tasks. The Census guides how more than $2.8 trillion a year in Federal funding is distributed to States, cities, and towns. This includes funding for Medicare, Medicaid, schools, roads, and other critical public services. Not counting every whole person may decrease Federal money, even in some of my colleagues' districts. Noncitizens make up about 6.7 percent of our Nation's population of 333 million people. They are our loved ones, friends, neighbors, and those who have been actively contributing to and participating in our communities for many years. Pretending that noncitizens do not live in our communities--that is exactly what this bill would do, pretend--will only instill fear, force people into the shadows, and take critical Federal funding away from the areas that need it most. Throughout our Nation's history, there have been several attempts at adding a citizenship question to the Census, all of which have failed. As a daughter of immigrants and as the Representative of a diverse community of constituents who have arrived from many corners of the world, I have adamantly fought against these attempts. In 2018, the previous administration attempted to add a citizenship question to the Census, which Senator Hirono and I and others fought against in Congress.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of Women's Entrepreneurship Day, a global celebration observed annually on November 19th. In the United States, the staggering statistic reveals that women own nearly 13 million out of the 33.2 million small businesses, employing approximately 10 million workers and contributing an awe-inspiring $1.8 trillion in revenue. My heartfelt commendation goes out to these women and their economically indispensable enterprises. I extend my enthusiastic applause to the Women's Entrepreneurship Day movement, led by the remarkable Wendy Diamond. A decade ago, Wendy founded the Women's Entrepreneurship Day organization, dedicating herself to empowering women entrepreneurs and tirelessly advocating for the prominence of women in business and entrepreneurship when the world was not fully recognizing their importance in the economy. Over the years, the organization has been unwavering in its efforts, providing microloans to 20,000 impoverished women, sponsoring disadvantaged female students to attend the United Nations, supporting the ReStart Academy for 13 to 21-year-old students in transitional settings, and spearheading WEDO's groundbreaking initiative, the ``Women's Disability Startup Cohort,'' the pioneering Accelerator Program for disabled women in business. In collaboration with Defy Ventures, WEDO has catalyzed a transformative EIT entrepreneurship program boasting an exceptional 84 percent success rate, propelling incarcerated women to unprecedented heights of achievement. Reflecting on a decade of profound impact, the Women's Entrepreneurship Day organization has not only initiated a global movement but has also garnered over 300 ambassadors worldwide, making a substantial impact in 144 countries, 65 international universities, and colleges. As we mark this remarkable 10th anniversary, the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization Pioneer Awards take center stage, honoring distinguished women who have emerged as leaders and innovators across multiple fields. Notable awardees include Sue Wagner, a co- founder of BlackRock and a member of Apple's board of directors, receiving the Financial Pioneer Award; Fran Weissler, Tony Award- winning Broadway producer of Pippin and Chicago, esteemed with the Broadway Pioneer Award; Jenny Just, co-founder and managing partner at PEAK6, earning the Technology Pioneer Award; Dr. Ruth, a pioneer in the psychology of human sexuality and world-renowned sex therapist, receiving the Psychology Pioneer Award; and Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Promise Fund of Florida, acknowledged with the Philanthropy Pioneer Award, Carol Reiley, co- founder of Drive.ai and DeepMusic.ai, will be honored with the Science Pioneer Award. Furthermore, Bonnie Anderson, founder of Veracyte, Inc. and Pink Dx, will receive the Health Pioneer Award. As we celebrate this profound milestone, let us be resolute in our commitment to providing the essential tools and programs needed for young women to not only survive but to truly flourish in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to the fiscal year 2024 State-Foreign Operations appropriations bill. As a member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I am appalled by the dangerous cuts and policy riders the majority has attached to this bill. Yesterday, we heard from our friends across the aisle that the purpose of our military is to deter a war if diplomacy fails. Cutting funding for our State Department to levels not seen since 2009 and proposing eliminating funding for USAID not only cedes America's position as a leader on the world stage but also eliminates funding for the very programs that seek to prevent violence and advance stability in areas vulnerable to conflict. This bill weakens our national security, not enhances it. This bill also harms women all around the world. From eliminating our contributions to critical multilateral agencies, including U.N. Women and UNFPA, to cutting bilateral and multilateral international reproductive health funding by nearly a third, we are sending a message that the U.S. is willing to cede its role in helping the international community achieve global health targets, address unacceptably high global maternal mortality rates and gender-based violence, support healthy families, or promote gender equity. This is all at the behest of the majority's culture war. I do not accept the premise that we are willing to risk 8.2 million women and couples losing access to contraceptive services, resulting in 2.7 million more unintended pregnancies leading to 1.1 million additional unplanned births and an additional 4,700 maternal deaths. Women and girls deserve better. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to oppose this harmful legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stand in solidarity and speak in support of our autoworkers who are currently on strike. Working men and women are the backbone of this Nation, and their desire for job security, for fair wages, and to simply be treated fairly is something that every working individual deserves. During the 2008 great financial crisis, these workers sacrificed pay and benefits during a time of desperation to help keep their companies afloat. Now, long after these corporations have bounced back, they are making record profits that they refuse to share with their own workers. That is unacceptable and wrong. These workers have ensured that key industries that make our country run stay functioning. In return for the billions that they have generated, all they want are wages and benefits commensurate with their company's success. That seems fair to me. I am proud to stand alongside the thousands of autoworkers that this contract covers, and I hope an agreement is reached soon.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Hoyer for his leadership and for organizing this Special Order hour for the Regional Leadership Council. And I thank our Democratic leader, Hakeem Jeffries, for giving me the opportunity to represent our New York region. When Democrats held the majority in the 117th Congress, we did not waste a moment making President Biden's Investing in America agenda a reality. I am proud to report our bold agenda is delivering unprecedented Federal investments to the State of New York. I see every day how these investments are creating well-paying jobs, improving my State's infrastructure, increasing green energy production, lowering energy costs for families, and bringing 21st century industries to our State. In just 2 years, New York has received over $12 billion in public infrastructure and clean energy funding and is slated to receive billions more in the coming years. Beyond the numbers, what do these investments look like in New York? It looks like this: Micron investing $20 billion within this decade in semiconductor manufacturing in Clay, New York; $254 million to make more train and subway stations accessible to people with disabilities; $175 million for infrastructure improvements for our airports, including $111 million for JFK and $56 million for LaGuardia, but also for our dozens of smaller regional airports that so many communities rely on, like $14 million for Long Island MacArthur; $18.3 million for the purchase of over 50 electric schoolbuses for our public school students; $664 million for providing fiber optic infrastructure to cities and towns without internet service. These investments are transforming New York right before our eyes. The next time you see a lane closed on the highway for construction or a neighbor installing solar panels, or an EV charging station open on your way to work, or a decrepit bridge being replaced, there is a good chance that the Investing in America agenda helped make that possible. I will also take time today to talk about the Investing in America agenda's climate resilient infrastructure investments, the largest of its kind in American history. The impacts of climate change are here, and millions of Americans are suffering the consequences. Storms, flooding, heat waves, and wildfires are occurring with greater intensity and frequency. It is causing unprecedented damage, tragically taking lives and even entire communities. In my own Queens district, lives were lost to stormwater flooding 2 years ago during Hurricane Ida. However, the Investing in America agenda is making our communities safer and our infrastructure more resilient to these impacts. We are investing $8.7 billion to ensure roadways can withstand natural hazards and that communities have safe evacuation routes; $8.2 billion across programs designed to reduce the risk of and detect and fight wildfires; $3.5 billion for the flood mitigation program to help flood-prone communities reduce the risk of flood damage to homes and businesses; and so much more. These investments from Democrats and President Biden and Vice President Harris, in addition to the massive investments we are making in fighting the climate change crisis, will help protect communities and save lives.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my Republican colleagues--although I don't see them--to put people over politics. I invite five of my Republican colleagues to simply sign the petition to raise the debt ceiling. This will directly impact my Queens' families if action is not taken. It would kill over 7,000 jobs in my district, jeopardize Social Security payments for over 85,000 families, threaten retirement savings of over 100,000 people. This Memorial Day weekend, it is not enough to march in parades and post pictures on social media. Republicans are risking benefits for over 300,000 people in my district alone that rely on Medicare, Medicaid, or veterans' health coverage. Smiling and posing for pictures with veterans as they work to cut veterans' benefits and lay off first responders, that is unacceptable. We just need five Republican colleagues to save our country.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of Women's Entrepreneurship Day, which is celebrated around the world each year on November 19th. Women-owned U.S. firms make up nearly 20 percent of all firms that employ people and this number is growing. There are nearly 13 million women-owned firms in the U.S. alone and they employ close to 10 million people. As a testament to their success, women-owned firms reported revenues of nearly $1.8 trillion. This is truly astounding and shows you how vital women are to the economy. I applaud these women entrepreneurs and their economically vital businesses. I also applaud the Women's Entrepreneurship Day movement, which is spearheaded by Wendy Diamond. Since it launched in 2013, the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization has annually funded one thousand impoverished women with microloans to start their entrepreneurial journey, hosted a nationwide entrepreneurship training program for 60,000 female college students and early-stage entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia, supported Restart Academy, which provides educational services for 13-21-year-old students in transitional settings, provided financial literacy education to one thousand rural women in the Philippines, and partnered with a Uruguayan university to offer scholarships to young women. Women's Entrepreneurship Day is now celebrated in 144 countries and 65 universities and colleges internationally, with numerous global ambassadors. The Women's Entrepreneurship Day mission is to empower the nearly four billion women worldwide to be catalysts of change and uplift the over 388 million women and girls living in poverty around the world. As in past years, the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization Pioneer Awards recognize and honor distinguished women who are leaders and innovators across multiple fields with inspiring accomplishments. This year's honorees include: Janice Bryant Howroyd--Founder and CEO of The ActOne Group of Companies--Business Pioneer Lele Pons--Celebrity Influencer, NFT and Crypto Enthusiast, 100 million Followers--Influencer Pioneer Beverly Johnson--Iconic Supermodel--Model Pioneer Wendy Fisher--Artist, President of the Board of Trustees of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation--Art Pioneer Neeti Mehta--Co-Founder and Chief Impact Officer of Automation Anywhere--Technology Pioneer Amanda Feilding--Countess of Wemyss and March, Founder of the Beckley Foundation, and Psychedelics Pioneer--Science Pioneer Mitzi Perdue--Founder of CERES Farms, Philanthropist, and Anti-Human Trafficking Advocate--Philanthropy Pioneer Coco Rocha--Founder of the Coco Rocha Model Camp and Supermodel-- Fashion Pioneer Marta Belcher--Chair of the Filecoin Foundation and General Council and Head of Policy for Protocol Labs--Web3 Pioneer Madam Speaker, I urge the entire House to recognize these role models, and to celebrate Women's Entrepreneurship Day this year.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. My amendment requires the VA to conduct an outreach campaign to veterans to make them aware of the full range of fertility treatments, procedures, and services covered under the VA's medical benefits package. I emphasize that this amendment was included in the fiscal year 2022 House-passed NDAA as part of an en bloc package and received overwhelming support from both sides of the aisle. Our veterans, who served our country honorably, deserve every opportunity to begin the family of their dreams. A study released last year on reproductive-aged veteran women found that the rate of infertility among veterans is more than 50 percent higher than among the general female population. For years, the VA has provided a range of fertility treatments and services to veterans. Many veterans have brought to my attention the issue that because they are unaware of the fertility services covered by the VA, they instead seek out expensive private care to help them begin a family. This amendment is simple. We provide critical funding to the VA to offer comprehensive medical care to our veterans. The VA should be doing outreach to all veterans to ensure that they are fully aware of the critical healthcare services covered by the VA. Those who have served our country honorably and now struggle with infertility as a result of their service deserve assistance in trying to build a family. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the solemn 107th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The atrocities began on April 24, 1915 and lasted until 1923. It is our responsibility to recognize the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians 107 years ago. The Armenian Genocide is an important reminder that crimes against humanity must not go without recognition and condemnation. By recognizing the Armenian Genocide, we pay tribute to the perseverance and determination of those who survived. We also honor the Americans of Armenian descent who have helped strengthen our country. As a Member of the Armenia Caucus, I have consistently supported resolutions sponsored by my colleagues in the Caucus in recognition of the Armenian Genocide, which state that it is the policy of the United States to commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance and reject efforts to enlist, engage, or otherwise associate the United States Government with denial of the Armenian Genocide or any other genocide. We need to remember the past and correct ongoing tragedies in front of us. As part of those remembrance efforts, I am also an original cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide Education Act, H.R. 7555, which would direct the Library of Congress to carry out Armenian Genocide education programs, including the dissemination of materials to state and local education leaders encouraging the adoption of Armenian Genocide curricula in secondary and post-secondary education. I stand with my constituents of Armenian descent in commemorating the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. With that, Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in commemoration.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 3525, a bill I authored to establish a commission to study the potential creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture. I want to first thank Chairman Grijalva and Ranking Member Westerman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Congressman Bentz, and Chairman Neguse and Ranking Member Fulcher of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands for their work with me on bringing this bill to the floor. Second, I thank Speaker Pelosi, Leader Hoyer, and Whip Clyburn for their support on this historic legislation. I also acknowledge and thank Chairperson Lofgren of the Committee on House Administration for her support in moving this bill forward. I first introduced this bill in the 114th Congress, and during that Congress, we witnessed the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture that our former colleague, the legendary John Lewis, spearheaded for decades. Since then, we have seen legislation establishing the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum signed into law. Our communities and caucuses have stood together in each of these efforts, and it is a joy to see this AAPI museum study bill arrive at this point today. America is filled with diverse stories of achievement and moments of tragedy. Within our shared history, there are countless tales of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, or AAPIs, contributing to every facet of our Nation. As far back as the 1700s, AAPIs have shaped American society. From the Chinese laborers who helped build the transcontinental railroad, a vital piece of U.S. infrastructure, to the thousands of AAPIs who fought for fair working conditions for agricultural workers during the Hawaii sugar strike of 1946, AAPIs have and continue to shape this Nation's history. Yet, those contributions are often unheard of and simply forgotten. It is time to change that. A national museum dedicated to collecting, preserving, and displaying these tales is long overdue. Museums provide a space to reflect on our past, assess our present, and dream of the future that we are working toward. My bill is one step closer to the creation of a national museum dedicated to our AAPI American history. The commission established through this legislation will be comprised of experts in their respective fields who will be responsible for studying the feasibility of creating a national museum and providing recommendations to Congress on whether to, and how to establish a national museum. Additionally, the commission will study logistical questions of exhibit curation, fundraising capacity, cost of creating and maintaining such an institution, and whether or not this museum should be part of the Smithsonian Institution. AAPIs are the fastest growing ethnic group in America, and the contributions of this community have shaped our Nation's infrastructure, economy, culture, and so much more. We must never forget that AAPI history is also American history. Today's consideration of H.R. 3525 is a necessary step to ensure the full face of American diversity across our entire country is displayed. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in favor of H.R. 3967, Honoring our PACT Act, authored by my friend and esteemed colleague, Chairman Takano. This important bill includes the text of my bill, the Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act, named after our dear, late friend and colleague, Representative Mark Takai. H.R. 3967 would permit veterans who participated in the nuclear cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Western Pacific to be treated as radiation-exposed veterans and receive service-connected compensation benefits. Current law only covers servicemembers who participated in active nuclear tests and not those who participated in the cleanup. With the passage of this bill, Congress will finally right this wrong. Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank Chairman Mark Takano for his tremendous leadership on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote for the passage of H.R. 3967.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in honor of Women's Entrepreneurship Day which is celebrated around the world each year on November 19th. Women-owned U.S. firms make up nearly 20 percent of all firms that employ people and this number is growing. There are nearly 13 million women-owned firms and they employ close to 10 million people. As a testament to their success, women-owned firms reported revenues of nearly $1.9 trillion. This is truly astounding and shows you how vital women are to the economy. I applaud these women entrepreneurs and their economically vital businesses. I also applaud Wendy Diamond, who has personally spearheaded the Women's Entrepreneurship Day movement. Since her campaign launched in 2013, her Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization has annually funded one thousand impoverished women with microloans to start their entrepreneurial journey in Nicaragua, India and Africa, hosted a nationwide entrepreneurship training program for 60,000 female college students and early-stage entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia, initiated and funded the premiere Women's Disability Cohort Pitch Competition, a visionary program that raises funding opportunities for women marginalized by their disabilities in partnership with 2Gether International, provided financial literacy education to one thousand rural women in the Philippines, and partnered with a Uruguayan university to offer scholarships to young women. Women's Entrepreneurship Day is now celebrated in 144 countries and 65 universities and colleges internationally, with numerous global ambassadors. The Women's Entrepreneurship Day mission is to empower the nearly four billion women worldwide to be catalysts of change and uplift the over 250 million girls living in poverty around the world. As in past years, the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization Pioneer Awards recognizes, and honors distinguished women who are leaders and innovators across multiple categories with inspiring accomplishments. This year's honorees include: Cathie Wood, Founder and CEO of ARK Investment Management, LLC-- Financial Pioneer Award Jeni Britton Bauer, CEO/Founder Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams--Culinary Pioneer Award Judith Heumann, International Disability Rights Advocate, The Heumann Perspective--Human Rights Pioneer Award Mona Scott-Young, CEO of Monami Productions--Entertainment Pioneer Award The Honorable Kathy Hochul, 57th & first female Governor of New York State--Government Pioneer Award Nadja Swarovski, Chair and Founder of Atelier Swarovski and Chair of Swarovski Foundation--Fashion Pioneer Award Dawn Dickson-Akpoghene, CEO and Founder of PopCom--Technology Pioneer Award Madam Speaker, I urge the entire House to recognize these remarkable role models, and to celebrate Women's Entrepreneurship Day this year and every year moving forward.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, as our nation strives to build back better, we must make sure that women--especially moms--are not left out of any recovery efforts. Since the pandemic, two million women--including one million moms--left the workforce. We know that women--especially women of color--always fought an uphill battle against gender norms and racial and gender pay equity-- and like so many other issues, the pandemic only exacerbated these existing injustices and inequalities. The pandemic also laid bare that the status quo is no longer acceptable; we need transformational structural changes to ensure women are protected against any future economic calamities. After all, women's economic security and their families' financial stability are inextricably linked. That is why I introduced this week, the Honoring Family-Friendly Workplaces Act--to promote a healthier work-life balance for hardworking families across the country, We must do more to promote positive work environments so that working parents are able to return to the labor force as soon as possible. My bill would direct the Department of Labor to establish a national certification program that recognizes exemplary family-friendly business policies. It would recognize and incentivize employers who commit to helping employees balance their family obligations and work responsibilities. The certification program is intended to be similar to the EPA's ENERGY STAR program that helps consumers identify energy efficient products, and would evaluate businesses on a number of policies, including: Paid sick days for workers; Child care subsidies; Lactation support; Reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers; Assistance paying for or referring workers to fertility adoption services; Paid family leave of at least 12 weeks per year; and Flexible hours--or remote work policies--once parents return to work after a birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Madam Speaker, nobody should have to choose between their work or their family; nobody should have to choose between receiving a paycheck or caring for their family. By redesigning and investing in the workplace to be family-friendly, we are ultimately strengthening the wellbeing of children and families, businesses, and the economy. I urge all my colleagues in supporting this commonsense initiative to improve the lives of working families across America.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the reintroduction of my bill, the Youth, Peace, and Security Act of 2021. Currently, youth make up the majority of the population in conflict- affected countries. However, youth remain under-represented in overseas conflict prevention, management, resolution, and post-conflict relief and recovery efforts. Youth and youth-led groups have shown their ability to play critical roles in deescalating conflict, preventing cyclical violence, and improving the effectiveness and sustainability of peace processes and agreements. The Youth, Peace and Security Act of 2021 recognizes the importance of youth involvement and leadership in peace-building and conflict- prevention activities. The bill makes it the policy of the United States to promote the inclusive and meaningful participation of youth in peace building and conflict prevention, management, and resolution, as well as post-conflict relief and recovery efforts. The bill directs the State Department and USAID to develop a strategy to implement these goals. The strategy will prioritize providing training and technical assistance to youth; integrate youth consultation in aid programs; facilitate a safe and inclusive environment for youth; and, include youth in assessments of U.S. peace and security initiatives, among other priorities. The bill would also require the President to appoint a coordinator to implement this strategy, currently held by USAID's Senior Agency Advisor on Youth. The coordinator will lead the implementation of the Youth, Peace, and Security strategy; establish an advisory group made up of youth and civil society organizations to guide the implementation of the strategy; and, oversee the awarding of grants and provision of technical assistance to youth-led, peace-building organizations and individuals. These grants are part of the newly established Youth, Peace, and Security Fund, which seeks to support organizations dedicated to peace building, conflict prevention, conflict management, and conflict resolution. I am thrilled to be joined in leading this bill with my colleagues Congressman John Curtis, Congressman Dean Phillips, and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this important piece of legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, during the COVID-19 crisis, we have seen how crucial internet access has been for learning and completing assignments. The homework gap, experienced by as many as 17 million students in the U.S. who do not have internet access at home, is an inequity that predates the coronavirus pandemic. When I first began talking about this issue, I was shocked and saddened to recognize there were so many misconceptions about who was part of the homework gap. So many of my colleagues believed the homework gap is something that predominantly affects students in rural America. But in fact, one in five school-age children in NYC's public school system--the largest public school system in the country--do not have internet access at home. The nature of homework assignments has fundamentally changed. Before, all you needed was a pencil and paper. But that is no longer the norm. Internet access is essential to completing homework assignments. It broke my heart to hear stories of families parked outside McDonalds or Starbucks trying to catch a free Wi-Fi signal. Closing the homework gap extends beyond just helping our students finish their homework. Internet connectivity is essential to success in the 21st century; much like electricity was important in the 1930s, internet will be the same, if not more. That is why Congress passed the Emergency Educational Connections Act as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a bill that I proudly championed with Senator Markey. This provision created the Emergency Connectivity Fund, and provided a one-time $7.17 billion appropriation to connect students and library patrons learning at home. As our Nation works to move past the pandemic, we must finally close the full homework gap that predates the ongoing emergency. That is why I am proud to introduce today the Securing Universal Communications Connectivity to Ensure Students Succeed or the SUCCESS Act. This bill would provide $8 billion a year over five years (for a total of $40 billion) to extend the FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund, without an emergency time frame, so that schools and libraries can continue supporting distance learning after the coronavirus pandemic is over. This extended program will then ensure that students connected by the emergency connectivity fund do not lose their internet access and devices once the original funds run dry. Madam Speaker, as the mother of two young children, I know firsthand how crucial this issue is. Each and every student must have the tools they need to succeed in school, and the SUCCESS Act is an essential component to permanently closing the homework gap. I urge all of my colleagues in both chambers to help close this digital divide for good.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in favor of H.R. 826, the Divided Families Reunification Act, a bill I authored to raise the voices of families who have been separated for decades both across the DMZ and across the Pacific Ocean. I want to thank Chairman Meeks for working with me on this important issue, and for his efforts to bring this bill to the floor. I also want to thank Congressman Van Taylor who partnered with me to introduce this humane and commonsense legislation, which, during the 116th Congress, unanimously passed the House of Representatives. Over seventy years ago, millions of Koreans were plunged into a harrowing war that brought misery, death, and destruction to their lives. Since then, the war has been frozen by an armistice agreement, signed on July 27, 1953, that persists to today. The division of the Korean Peninsula into South and North Korea separated millions of Koreans from their family members. Through the years, there have been some agreed upon reunions between South and North Koreans. For Korean Americans, however, there is no pathway for such reunions, as they have not been permitted to participate in these inter-Korean family reunions. Many of these Americans are in their 70s through 90s, and time is of the essence to be reunited with their families. I have had the honor to meet some of these divided Korean American family members, and it breaks my heart that their chance of a reunion with their loved ones grows less likely each day. As a member of the State and Foreign Operations (SFOPS) Subcommittee on the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to have secured provisions in the Fiscal Year 2020 and 2021 accompanying reports that support the reunification of Korean Americans and their families in North Korea. And in the SFOPS Fiscal Year 2022, which recently passed out of the full committee, a provision calling on the Office of North Korean Human Rights to investigate the risks associated with third- party brokers who offer to locate and reunite divided families. The unresolved status of the war continues to impact multiple generations of Korean Americans, particularly women, in myriad ways. All these years later, many survivors of the war are still haunted by their trauma. And younger generations who are responsible for their caregiving often internalize this unresolved grief. The Divided Families Reunification Act requires the Secretary of State or a designee to consult with officials in South Korea on potential opportunities to reunite Korean American families with family members in North Korea. This bill will also require the Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights to submit a report on the opportunities for video reunions between Korean Americans and family members in North Korea. With that Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this bipartisan bill.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Grant Residency for Additional Doctors, or GRAD, Act of 2021 which would address the lengthy processing delays for J-1 visas, which is the temporary nonimmigrant visa that international medical students and physicians use to work in U.S. based residency programs. The United States is anticipated to face a shortage of physicians that ranges from between 54,100 and 139,000 in the next 12 years. The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to magnify these shortages as primary care physicians and specialists experience burnout related to the pandemic. Foreign medical students frequently fill critical positions in hospitals that service underserved and rural communities. Madam Speaker, my GRAD Act of 2021 would direct the Department of State to establish a position from March through June, the busiest months for school applications, whose sole purpose is to address J-1 visa applications with the intention of receiving graduate medical education or training. Madam Speaker, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how crucial it is that our medical infrastructure has the personnel necessary to handle a public health crisis. Our healthcare system cannot operate if it is facing a physician shortage.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Total Recall Act of 2021, which would require businesses to strengthen and streamline notifications for product recalls to consumers. Every year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalls at least 400 products, but due to poor notification practices by manufacturers and producers, the average response rate of consumers for most recalls is only between 4 and 18 percent. Consumers are purchasing or failing to stop using products because they are unaware of recall notifications. As a mom myself, I know that parents cannot be expected to check the CPSC website every time they purchase a product for their families. If a company sells a dangerous item, that company should be expected to market the recall as aggressively as they marketed the sale of the product. That is why I am introducing the Total Recall Act, legislation which will implement much needed reforms to increase the effectiveness of products recalled by the CPSC. This bill will increase requirements for companies to post recall notices on their websites and social media, and require or encourage companies to use parts of the original marketing budgets of the product in question on notifying consumers of the recall. The numbers don't lie; if consumers are not participating in recalls, then companies need to work harder to let their consumers know about any dangers that they face from continued use of these products. Companies know how to market products, it is time for them to apply those same skills to marketing recalls.