Marcus Molinaro

Mr. MOLINARO

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the significance and importance of Education and Sharing Day, a commemoration in honor of The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, and the values of education and moral cultivation for which he stood. The Rebbe emphasized the significance of moral and ethical education as the foundation of humanity and an essential characteristic of a thriving society. Throughout his lifetime, his work cultivated hope for a brighter future through the establishment of more than 6,000 educational and social institutions across all 50 states and in 100 countries spanning six continents. Over the last four decades, the U.S. Congress has set aside ``Education and Sharing Day,'' and the recognition is proclaimed annually by presiding U.S. presidents on the anniversary of the Rebbe's birth, in honor of his commitment to teaching the next generation of Americans the values that make our country strong. Remembering the Rebbe's message of education and contribution to society, Education and Sharing Day provides the opportunity to recognize our responsibility in ensuring that our Nation's youth have the tools to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in celebrating April 19, 2024 as Education and Sharing Day, to honor the birthday of Rabbi Schneerson.

Mr. MOLINARO

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. D'Esposito, not only for today's Special Order but for a lifetime of service and sacrifice on behalf of the people of the city of New York and his own community. He knows firsthand the sacrifice that men and women in law enforcement make every day, and by the way, by extension the sacrifice their families have to offer in that service. Today, I certainly rise in support and recognition and extend my love and prayers to the family of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller. We heard some powerful words from his widow reminding us how absolutely important it is that we establish policy that protects men and women in law enforcement in the State of New York but also across the country. Too many are passing policies that make the job of law enforcement that much more dangerous, undermining the ability to provide for public safety. We have to remember that Jonathan Diller was killed senselessly by a man who had previously been arrested 21 times--21 times in the State of New York--21 times. I want to speak specifically to New York State's cashless bail policy and some of the laws that have come out of Albany, New York, that have made law enforcement that much more difficult, and sadly, have made this particular tragedy--the loss of Officer Diller--a sad story that gets told and retold across New York. Since the establishment of cashless bail in New York, New York State's criminal justice system has acted as a revolving door for repeat offenders. What New York has done is instead of taking the smart way of ensuring judicial discretion, the ability to evaluate risk, and by the way, giving local law enforcement the ability to intervene with the appropriate tools to de-escalate and to end recidivism, New York threw that all out. The State of New York instead established a policy that emboldens criminals. Now, the response from leaders in Albany, New York, and some across the country is that crime is on the decline. They point to arrest statistics as a suggestion that somehow crime is going down. In places like New York arrests aren't being made. Why? Because small business owners on Main Streets across the State, in neighborhoods in New York City, they know not to even bother calling in many cases because the law enforcement community is unable to respond to even the simplest of crimes, and because of that they consistently see the escalation of crime. Those who are committing lower level offenses sooner or later are committing higher level offenses and maybe even taking the life of a law enforcement official, and then it is too late. Mr. Speaker, 21 times that person was arrested and released before killing Officer Diller. Mr. Speaker, 21 times this criminal justice system had the ability in the State of New York--if it only had the backing of policymakers--had the ability to intervene and to protect Officer Diller and the 20-plus victims that came before him. Officer Diller's death is just one more example of how incomprehensible the decision to eliminate cash bail throughout New York has made our State, my State, a community that I have served since 1994, as a whole more dangerous for men and women, small business owners, and families. We know it. For the State of the Union, I brought two upstate county sheriffs. They know firsthand how crime has continued to rise and violence continues to escalate. Because of decisions out of Albany, New York, the Governor, State legislators, Democrats empowered one-party rule in my State, New York is more dangerous, and the ability to provide for public safety, that much more difficult. Under current law, instead of receiving the innovative services and programs which help to discourage recidivism and empower law enforcement officials to intervene at the right moment, instead of doing that, those apprehended due to criminal activity are free to re- offend; because of it, they are back out on the streets within moments, if not immediately, creating more victims, creating more crimes, undermining community safety--by the way, even putting their own ability to find their way to a life free of crime, putting that at risk. Now, while touted as progressive, New York's State bail reform is anything but. New York State's cashless bail is not progressive. It is cruel, and it is dangerous, and it has put the lives of too many New Yorkers, including the life of Jonathan Diller, at risk. The first rule of policymaking is to do no harm, and cashless bail in the State of New York has only produced harm. Albany's bail reform experiment has failed. Yet, the politicians in the State of New York continue to avoid the necessary question to revisit this disaster of a policy. It is time that lawmakers in Washington and lawmakers in State capitals across this country, like in Albany, prioritize public safety, prioritize supporting law enforcement, and end senseless tragedies. Prior to coming to Congress, I spent 12 years as a county executive where we focused on intervention, prevention, and diversion tools, giving law enforcement the capacity to make communities safer. New York State threw it all out, and with it, has made our communities less safe and the work of law enforcement more dangerous. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in expressing our deepest sympathy and extending our love to the family of Officer Diller, but also to the men and women of law enforcement across New York and across America and their families. May they come home to families that love them and ultimately communities and governments that support them.

Mr. MOLINARO

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I was absent because of a family emergency. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 92; YEA on Roll Call No. 93; NAY on Roll Call No. 94; YEA on Roll Call No. 95; YEA on Roll Call No. 96; YEA on Roll Call No. 97; YEA on Roll Call No. 98; NAY on Roll Call No. 99; NAY on Roll Call No. 100; and YEA on Roll Call No. 101.

Mr. MOLINARO

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 15, 2024; and further, when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. MOLINARO

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim Ehmke, who is celebrating his 25th year with NewsChannel 34 in Binghamton, New York. For a quarter century, families in Broome County and across the Southern Tier have welcomed Jim into their homes. With his distinct and familiar voice, Jim has shared stories of community triumph, given voice to the voiceless, and guided us through tragedies and moments of uncertainty. Outside the demands of the newsroom, Jim still finds time to volunteer on the board of the annual Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally and supports the greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce's Broome Leadership Institute. In this past year, he was guest narrator for the Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra's holiday concert. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jim Ehmke, the dean of Binghamton broadcasting for his remarkable career and his life of service. We wish Jim a happy anniversary.

Mr. MOLINARO

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, with no further speakers I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6249) to provide for a review and report on the assistance and resources that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency provides to individuals with disabilities and the families of such individuals that are impacted by major disasters, and for other purposes.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 6249.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 6249, the Think Differently About Emergencies Act. This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to submit a report to Congress that outlines the assistance and resources available to those with intellectual, physical, and developmental disabilities and further directs the Government Accountability Office to review available assistance to help identify gaps. As March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, it is appropriate that Congress moves this bill and works to ensure gaps in responding to emergencies are addressed. Disasters, as we know, are difficult for everyone, but they are especially challenging for those individuals with disabilities and those who care for them. It is important that we understand what resources are available and how we can best help those who may have limited ability to respond on their own. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would again like to highlight the importance of ensuring the needs of individuals with developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities are considered during disasters and how FEMA can work to assist those disaster victims. I also want to thank the other co-sponsors of this legislation--this bipartisan legislation--including the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Ranking Member Titus for working with me on this issue. I further extend my appreciation to my colleagues across the aisle in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their support. I would like to extend my thanks to Chairman Sam Graves for his support, as well. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this important legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 532) to designate the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 600 East First Street in Rome, Georgia, as the ``Harold L. Murphy Federal Building and United States Courthouse''.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 532.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill honors Judge Harold L. Murphy, a former judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, by naming the Federal building and United States Courthouse in Rome, Georgia, after him. After being nominated to the United States District Court by President Jimmy Carter, Judge Murphy served on the Federal bench for 45 years. It is fitting that we honor the late Judge Murphy by naming this courthouse after him. Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Georgia (Ms. Greene) to speak on her bill.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. In closing, let me offer further support to this bill which certainly recognizes Judge Murphy's service to our country by naming this Federal building after him. I certainly am encouraged by my colleague, Ms. Greene's, sponsorship of the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1858) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to establish a deadline for applying for disaster unemployment assistance.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on S. 1858.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, S. 1858 would align the application deadlines for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's individual assistance and disaster unemployment assistance. Currently, disaster victims are faced with two different deadlines for their applications, which creates confusion during what is already a stressful time. This bill simply aligns and ensures identical deadlines to reduce burdens and help disaster victims in their application process for assistance. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this bill will help to reduce confusion for disaster victims by aligning the deadlines for certain types of assistance. This bill makes a simple adjustment that will ultimately ease the process by which disaster victims seek assistance, relieving a burden during a difficult period of recovery. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on S. 1278.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1278) to designate the Federal building located at 985 Michigan Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, as the ``Rosa Parks Federal Building'', and for other purposes.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. This bill honors Rosa Parks, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, by naming the Federal building located at 985 Michigan Avenue in Detroit, Michigan, in her honor. Of course, we know that Rosa Parks is best known for inspiring the Montgomery bus boycott when she refused to move from the front to the back of the bus. Her courageous work fighting against discrimination and segregation makes it fitting that we honor Rosa Parks by naming this Federal building after her. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, with no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, this is an appropriate piece of legislation to recognize the late Rosa Parks by naming this particular Federal building after her. This is among just one of the ways we can acknowledge the important work Ms. Parks did to better our Nation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.