Grace Meng

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the millions of Americans who suffer from noise pollution caused by aircrafts. Noise from aircraft is a constant source of torment, even if you don't live right near an airport, but under a regular flight path. Chronic exposure to excessive noise can lead to sleep deprivation, task interruptions, among other negative consequences which result in untold costs on society in diminished work productivity. That is why today, I introduced the ``Quiet Communities Act of 2019''. This bill would reestablish the Office of Noise Abatement and Control (ONAC) in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Noise abatement programs across the country currently lie dormant. While the EPA retains the authority to study noise effects and make recommendations to mitigate these effects and limit environmental exposure to noise, it is unable to practically do so without a functioning ONAC. As population growth and air traffic continue to increase, noise pollution is likely to become an even greater problem in the future. Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is tasked with air transport-related noise concerns. It is responsible for developing flight paths and regulating the airline industry, but the FAA neither has the resources nor the mission priorities to adequately address intolerable levels of noise. Madam Speaker, it is time to allow the EPA the resources it requires to resume its role in combating noise pollution and include flight noise in its jurisdiction by re-establishing ONAC. This bill would also require the EPA Administrator to carry out a study of airport noise and examine the FAA's selection of noise measurement methodologies, health impact thresholds, and abatement program effectiveness. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation--so that Congress does its part to help alleviate the aviation noise issues that impacts the health and welfare of Americans across our nation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in gratitude that my bill, H.R. 615, the Refugee Sanitation Facility Safety Act, unanimously passed the House. I thank my colleagues for their support. I am especially grateful to Chairman Engel and Ranking Member McCaul for their leadership and support of this critical bill to ensure the protection of women and girls. While refugee camps are intended to serve as a temporary refuge from war, refugees often find that they have been followed by the very violence rise and insecurity that caused them to flee their home countries in the first place. Women and girls, in particular, face high levels of sexual assaults, and the infrastructure of camps fail to protect against these already-vulnerable populations. Refugee camps around the world don't provide safe and secure access to sanitary facilities, and those that exist are often mixed sex, public, and without locks or well-lit paths. Many women and girls so fear using the bathroom at night that they develop urinary tract infections, are forced to relieve themselves in their tents, or are unable to change their clothes for weeks. Refugee camps have failed to provide commonsense solutions to protect refugees from sexual assault in sanitation facilities. This legislation aims to fix that by requiring U.S. refugee funding to prioritize securing restrooms in refugee camps. I now urge the Senate to take up this commonsense, but critical legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the nearly 12,000 Chinese railroad workers who tirelessly worked on the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad. As you may know, today marks the historic 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Transcontinental Railroad has long been considered one of the most remarkable engineering feats of the 19th century. After its completion, the railroad reduced cross-country travel time from six months to a single week--facilitating a new era of commerce; bringing the country closer together in the aftermath of the Civil War; and unleashing the unlimited potential of our nation. But, too often in our conversations surrounding it, we emphasis the economic benefits; too often we forget to acknowledge the nearly 12,000 Chinese immigrants who made these benefits possible. Madam Speaker, these workers endured both the arduous physical labor of constructing a railroad and the emotional trauma of being discriminated. They were given the most difficult, dangerous jobs, and were paid lower wages than other workers. While working in the Sierras, Chinese workers hung in baskets, 2,000 feet above raging rivers, to blast into the impenetrable granite mountain--to make way for laying the tracks. Despite these conditions, the Chinese railroad workers were considered indispensable and were respected for their work ethic and discipline. Above all, these workers formed one of the first organized labor movements in the United States for better living wages and work conditions, which ultimately opened doors for future generations. This is why I introduced a resolution in Congress since 2014 to recognize their important contributions and the dangerous risks they faced in the process. It is important for us to commemorate their efforts and share their stories, so that their role in America's history is not forgotten. After all, their stories helped create the space needed for today's growing conversations on Asian American diversity and inclusion. Madam Speaker, I believe today's celebration is not only about recognizing the many contributions the Asian American community has made--and continues to make--but it is also a step towards weaving the story of Asian Americans into the greater American tapestry. I am thankful for the indelible mark they left in the growth of our nation-- and hope their contributions are further honored for the next 150 years.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, my amendment adds language that recognizes the fundamental link between climate change and food security, as recognized in the Paris Agreement. The administration's plan to leave the Paris Agreement is a betrayal of America's global leadership and threatens food security for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the world. Vulnerable communities, including children, the elderly, and low- income individuals, are at a greater risk of malnutrition or chronic hunger if the effects of climate change are not mitigated. According to the 2018 ``National Climate Assessment,'' climate change will lead to reduced agricultural productivity, and food production will decline in U.S. regions that experience increased frequency and duration of droughts, floods, and severe storms. Climate change will cause irreparable damage to New York's agriculture sector, which is the dominant ag State in the Northeast. According to the New York Climate Change Science Clearinghouse, climate change may affect food production by increased heat stress days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, which could stress livestock and some crops; increased river flooding, which is likely to cause soil erosion, soil loss, and crop damage; and wetter springs, which could delay planting for crops and reduce yields. These are just a few examples of how climate change may affect New York's agriculture sector. However, climate change isn't just an American problem. It is a global problem that will cause already vulnerable communities to face increased malnutrition and chronic hunger. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, chronic hunger is on the rise. The number of people facing chronic food deprivation increased to nearly 821 million in 2017 from around 804 million in 2016. Food insecurity is already a challenge across the globe and is likely to become an even greater threat as climate change impacts agriculture production. Food insecurity can also further strain communities that are already facing challenges, from conflict to job scarcity. The 2014 ``Worldwide Threat Assessment'' noted that ``the lack of adequate food will be a destabilizing factor in countries important to U.S. national security.'' The President's plan to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement is misguided and will contribute to food insecurity here and abroad. It is imperative the President understands the consequences of climate change for food security and ending hunger. Again, my amendment simply recognizes the critical and inextricable link between climate change and food security, as recognized in the Paris Agreement. I urge support for the amendment. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Get Additives Out Act. This legislation would require a GAO report on the physical and behavioral health risks of food additives on children. As a mom of two boys, I am committed to ensuring more transparency in the foods that we eat. The effects of food additives, both in food products and in the packaging that touches food products, are dramatically under studied, particularly the impact on children as they enter critical stages of development. I urge my colleagues to join me in calling for more accountability on the foods that we consume and that we feed to our children. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Get Additives Out Act.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Infant Formula Protection Act. As a mom, I know the fear and the pressure that comes with caring for a newborn; all a new parent wants is to make sure their baby is healthy. Busy parents need to be able to rely on the safety of products, like formula, that they buy in grocery stores to make sure their newborns are well-fed and healthy. Grocery stores that stock expired formula--even by just a few days--pose real health risks to infants. Although regulations require expiration dates to be placed on formula, there is no federal law that prohibits the sale of the product after it has expired. As a result, many stores continue to keep the expired items on their shelves even though the products are outdated. That is why I have introduced the Infant Formula Protection Act of 2019, which would categorize expired infant formula as ``adulterated.'' A grocery store that stocks an adulterated substance can incur fines and other penalties. Parents must be able to trust the safety of the products they buy in their stores. Madam Speaker, we cannot take any chances with what we feed our babies, I urge my colleagues to join me and pass the Infant Formula Protection Act.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of the Menstrual Products Right to Know Act. This legislation would make menstrual hygiene products safer by ensuring that women know what they are putting in their bodies. This bill would require manufacturers of commonly used menstrual hygiene products, such as scented and unscented pads, cups, and scented and unscented tampons, to label the ingredients in these items, and list them in descending order of concentration. We can easily see the ingredients used in the shampoo we put in our hair; these same transparency requirements should apply to products that touch, or are inserted to, sensitive female anatomy. Consumers are being denied access to crucial information, which affects their safety and impacts their ability to make informed choices. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Menstrual Products Right to Know Act.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, as the designee of the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Kuster), I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong support of Congresswoman Kuster's bipartisan amendment that calls on key Federal agencies to harmonize their sexual violence surveys and reporting systems. This amendment was inspired by a Government Accountability Office study that found Federal agencies engaged in collecting data on sexual violence are using different terminology for the same types of sex crimes, and these crimes are being categorized in dissimilar ways. As one example, an act some Federal surveys identified as rape is considered ``nonconsensual sex acts'' or ``sexual coercion'' in others. For another survey, attempted nonconsensual sex acts are not specifically included in the definition of ``nonconsensual sex acts'' in the survey, even though they are counted in overarching measurement of this behavior. These surveys and reporting systems are important, but their ambiguities and inconsistencies are very problematic and need to be corrected. Ms. Kuster's amendment requires four Federal agencies that conduct eight critical sexual violence surveys to form a working group to help improve coordination and develop clearer sexual violence terminology and categorization. This working group will then complete a report identifying the internal steps and congressional action that can be taken to address this issue. I know Ms. Kuster is proud that this amendment is bipartisan, and she has asked me to extend her thanks to our colleagues, Representatives Turner, Speier, Morelle, and Raskin, for joining her to introduce it for consideration within this landmark legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Additionally, she is grateful to House Judiciary Committee leadership for their support, and to Senators McCaskill and Johnson for shepherding a similar bill through the Senate last year. Madam Chair, we know the #MeToo movement continues to shed a light on the disturbing prevalence of sexual violence in our country. For survivors, it has been a powerful and moving reminder that they are not alone. For all of us, it has been a wake-up call that the status quo is unacceptable and will not be tolerated anymore. In order to fully understand the scope of the challenge we face, we need reliable, transparent data. The Federal Government has a critical role to play to that end. We have tremendous confidence that better communication amongst these agencies, coupled with thoughtfully harmonized terminology and categorization, will yield more accurate data. Armed with that knowledge, we can better prevent and end the scourge of sexual violence. Madam Chair, I urge support of Ms. Kuster's amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, my amendment would ensure that incarcerated, pregnant prisoners who are primary caretaker parents and who have limited English proficiency will have access to parenting classes. Mr. Chair, we know that at the end of 2016 there were over 111,000 women in prisons across our country. That is a nearly 750 percent increase from 1980. Women are the fastest growing population of incarcerated individuals in our country. Our Nation has 4 percent of the world's female population, but 30 percent of its female incarcerated population. We also know that women of color are significantly overrepresented in our criminal justice system. In fact, two-thirds of women in jail are women of color. Additionally, a recent study published just 2 weeks ago in the American Journal of Public Health found that, during their 1-year study of rates of pregnancy and outcomes among women in prison in 22 States and the Federal system, almost 1,400 pregnant women were admitted to prison. Given the intersection of these data points, my amendment ensures that parenting classes be accessible to those incarcerated women with limited English proficiency. The Bureau of Prisons already provides certain parenting classes for pregnant incarcerated individuals. They include the Mother and Infants Nursing Together, MINT, program; and the Residential Parenting Program. The MINT program teaches parenting skills to facilitate mother-child bonding and provides the tools to help build a stable home environment upon release. The Residential Parenting Program at the Washington State Department of Corrections allows Bureau of Prison incarcerated women and their infants to participate in the program. Studies show that these programs are significant for incarcerated females and their families, as they can play important roles in successful reentry into society. Under my amendment, all pregnant incarcerated women or incarcerated moms will be able to better provide for their children no matter what language they speak. The BOP's incarcerated female population is incredibly diverse, with many ethnicities and many foreign countries represented, but no one should be denied the chance to be the best parent they can be simply because they are non-English speaking. Mr. Chair, I thank my good friend Congresswoman Karen Bass as well as Congressman Fitzpatrick for their leadership in shepherding this landmark legislation. The 2019 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act responds to our Nation's crisis of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Mr. Chair, I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chairman, we just want to make sure that no one is denied the chance to bond with their newborn or child simply because they don't speak the language. This amendment ensures compliance with title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, this amendment would ensure that our Federal prison develops tools to communicate parenting program availability and eligibility criteria to each employee of the Bureau of Prisons and each pregnant incarcerated woman so that each of these women in the custody of a Bureau of Prisons facility understands the resources available to them. Mr. Chair, we know that women are the fastest growing population in the criminal justice system. Only 5 percent of the world's female population lives in the U.S., but they account for nearly 30 percent of the world's incarcerated women. That is an injustice to not only those incarcerated but to their families, our economy, and our society as a whole. According to Prison Policy Initiative, 80 percent of the women who will go to jail this year are moms, including nearly 150,000 women who are pregnant when they are admitted, and many of these women are the primary caretaker of their family. This means that the impact of their incarceration reaches far beyond the prison system. As we incarcerate women, we are also incarcerating their families. Currently, the BOP does offer some programs to women who are moms or soon-to-be mothers. Mothers and Infants Nursing Together, otherwise known as MINT, is offered to moms who are pregnant at the time of commitment. Participating mothers can enroll in pre- and postnatal classes on childbirth, parenting, and coping skills. This program offers the chance for mothers to acquire parenting skills and bond with their infant after birth. The Residential Parenting Program offered by the Washington State Department of Corrections' Residential Parenting Program gives its participants and their infants the opportunity to reside in the minimum security unit for up to 30 months after birth. Mr. Chair, these programs are important resources to pregnant mothers and parents who are incarcerated. In fact, participants of the MINT program have reported that the program has helped them learn important parenting skills and develop a bond with their infants. However, the September 2018 Department of Justice's OIG review of the Federal Bureau of Prisons' management of its female inmate population found that BOP's pregnancy programs were underutilized. Between fiscal years 2012 and 2016, there were 951 pregnant incarcerated women in BOP's custody, 558 of whom were in institutions designed to house sentenced inmates. Of these 558 sentenced pregnant inmates, they estimate that only 204 participated in MINT or the Residential Parenting Program. That is, only 37 percent were in these parenting and pregnancy programs. The reasons were varied. Incarcerated mothers who may be eligible for the programs are often not identified as being eligible. While social workers are responsible for informing inmates of these opportunities, social worker positions often remain vacant. Many staff did not fully understand the eligibility criteria for the Mothers and Infants Nursing Together program, and, even more surprising, some staff were entirely unaware of these programs' existence. These are valuable programs that need to be reaching more people. This amendment directs the Bureau of Prisons to develop tools to better communicate the availability of these programs and their eligibility criteria to inmates. With these improvements, incarcerated individuals will be empowered to better utilize the resources made available to them. Mr. Chair, I urge support for the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman's comments. Again, only 37 percent of pregnant inmates utilize these programs. I think that it is very common sense to make sure that more people are aware of these programs, both staff employees and those who are incarcerated. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. MENG. Mr. Chair, my amendment would ensure that cultural competency training is included in trauma screening trainings provided to correctional officers and each Bureau of Prisons employee, including instructors and healthcare professionals. Estimates suggest that as many as 90 percent of incarcerated women have experienced some sort of trauma such as interpersonal or sexual violence in their lives. Female inmates are more likely to have been the victims of direct violence, repeated sexual violence, and intimate partner violence. We also know that trauma is experienced in different ways, depending on the individual's gender identity, culture, and past experiences. The BOP's incarcerated female population is incredibly diverse, with many ethnicities, approximately 30 religions, and women from all 50 States and many foreign countries represented. Studies show that trauma treatment programs should be administered and facilitated during the first 12 months of the incarcerated individual's sentence so as to maximize the benefits of these programs. Research also shows that the effects of trauma manifest themselves differently for incarcerated women and men. This manifestation is further compounded by the individual's cultural background. Incarcerated individuals with limited English proficiency have unique challenges in interaction with correctional officers. This is also true for LGBT incarcerated individuals who have experienced injustice and violence in very specific ways. In order to address the past trauma of inmates, the BOP has tried to adopt a ``trauma-informed correctional care approach.'' Under this method, the actions of staff are centered on the understanding that trauma is real and prevalent, and opportunities to avoid retraumatizing inmates are an opportunity for healing. This approach also includes several principles which seek to ensure the psychological and emotional safety of those incarcerated individuals and staff, and use communication methods that avoid triggering memories of past trauma. And yet testimony from formerly incarcerated women illustrates that correction staff in women's facilities still often fail to receive trauma-informed and gender-responsive training, let alone culturally competent training. Correctional officers, healthcare professionals, and other staff members must be adequately trained on methods of trauma-informed care that address the needs of incarcerated individuals. The trauma screenings must equip each BOP employee to be mindful of the unique culturally rooted trauma of incarcerated individuals. A better understand of these needs allows correctional officers and instructors to provide the most effective care possible. Such training would ensure that correctional staff respond to incarcerated individuals in productive and impactful ways. In other words, these officials will be able to provide trauma- informed care to those who have limited English proficiency, come from diverse backgrounds, or live with disabilities, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The dignity of an incarcerated individual must be honored and upheld, and ensuring the proper training of employees to interact with them would be a significant first step. I urge support for the amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, in recognition of Women's History Month and the incredible advances women have made in our nation and around the world, I rise today to introduce the Menstrual Equity for All Act of 2019. This is the first comprehensive legislation that would end our nation's inequities toward women, girls, and individuals who menstruate. Menstruation hygiene items, such as pads, tampons, cups, and liners, are necessary purchases for the vast majority of women. Madam Speaker, popular culture would have one believe these products are ubiquitous and cheap. But I have heard the heartbreaking testimonies of countless girls and women from across our nation that would say otherwise. We live in the richest nation and yet millions of women and girls suffer from issues of access and affordability. This is an injustice and it is simply wrong. Most premenopausal women use menstrual hygiene products on a monthly basis and it is estimated that a woman will use up to 16,000 tampons in her lifetime. Regardless of income, women spend a significant amount of money on purchasing menstruation hygiene products each year. Beyond being cost-prohibitive, different populations of women and girls face unique challenges in accessing menstrual hygiene products. The Menstrual Equity for All Act aims to address these challenges by: Giving states the option to use federal grant funds to provide students with free menstrual hygiene products in schools--these grants already provide funding for health and wellness efforts; Ensuring that incarcerated individuals and detainees in federal (including immigration detention centers), state, and local facilities have access to free, unrationed, menstrual hygiene products; Ensuring that no visitor is prohibited from visiting an incarcerated individual due to the visitor's use of menstrual hygiene products; Allowing homeless assistance providers to use grant funds that cover shelter necessities (such as blankets and toothbrushes) to also use those funds to purchase menstrual hygiene products; Allowing individuals to use their own pre-tax dollars from their health flexible spending accounts to purchase menstrual hygiene products; Requiring that Medicaid covers the cost of menstrual hygiene products for recipients; Directing large employers (with 100 or more employees) to provide free menstrual hygiene products for their employees in the workplace; and Requiring all public federal buildings, including buildings on the Capitol campus, provide free menstrual hygiene products in the restrooms. Madam Speaker, every woman deserves to succeed and advancing menstrual equity is critical to achieving this goal. I urge my colleagues to support my legislation. Access to safe, affordable menstrual hygiene products is a basic need and a health care right for over half the population; it is a human right.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to announce the introduction of my Divided Families Reunification Act, and to raise the voices of families who have been separated for decades both across the DMZ and across the Pacific Ocean. The division of the Korean Peninsula into South and North Korea separated millions of Koreans from their family members. While there have been some agreed upon reunions between South and North Koreans, for Korean Americans there is no pathway for such reunions. Many of these Americans are in their 70s-90s, and time is of the essence to be reunited with their families. I am proud to introduce the Divided Families Reunification Act, which 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. Thank you to my colleagues, Chairman Brad Sherman, Rep. Karen Bass, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. James P. McGovern, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Rep. Gilbert Cisneros, Rep. Rob Woodall, and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for supporting this bipartisan legislation.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my excitement about the passage of H.R. 1. I am especially pleased that my amendment to increase the cultural competency of poll workers was adopted as a part of this historic bill. I represent New York's 6th district in Queens, New York--a robust and diverse community. I understand firsthand that voters in every district are unique. Poll workers should not only be aware of the intricacies of state voting laws, but the ways in which individuals have different needs at the polls as well. Poll workers are a crucial component to elections at every level of our democracy. These individuals check with voters to verify information and either hand voters a ballot or direct individuals to a voting machine. They ensure order and efficiency on Election Day. My amendment requires that poll worker manuals contain cultural competency training information. Those who work our polls will learn strategies to help voters who come from diverse backgrounds, live with disabilities, or have limited English proficiency--regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Cultural competency training will decrease congestion at the voting booth and ensure that all voters are able to participate in our democracy to the fullest. I thank my colleagues Representative Chu, Representative Grijalva, and Representative Pressley for co-sponsoring this amendment with me. I look forward to continuing my work on the expansion of voting rights in the 116th Congress.

Ms. MENG

Ms. MENG. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley) for yielding her time. I strongly agree with my friend from Massachusetts. I thank her for sponsoring this important amendment, and I am proud to cosponsor it with her. It addresses a crucial and often ignored issue that I have been fighting to raise awareness of during my time in Congress. I have met with students across the State of New York and across the country and am incredibly impressed with their drive and passion directed at the democratic process. Across the country, these students are getting involved. They are marching. They are advocating for their generation's future, and they are asserting their position in our society. This is why I am proud to have introduced a constitutional amendment in the 115th and the 116th Congress to lower the voting age to 16 for Federal, State, and local elections. The amendment in front of us today gives 16-year-olds the right to vote in Federal elections. In localities that have already granted 16- year-olds the right to vote, we have seen an increase in voter participation and better debate. Madam Chair, 16-year-olds participate in our democracy already. They are legally permitted to work. They pay Federal taxes on their income and can even be tried as adults in court. It is only just that they are given the right to vote. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Pressley) for championing this cause. I know this fight will continue. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.