Robert Menendez

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, last year, I stood outside Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey, and made the dire observation that no one is safe in Trump's America. Since then, three people that we know of have died after medical emergencies at Delaney Hall, including Edwin Lopez- Cornejo, who leaves behind his 12-year-old U.S. citizen daughter. In private detention centers across the country, ICE and their private partners, like The GEO Group, are continuing down this dangerous path without any regard to the human cost of their actions. In my over 20 visits to Delaney Hall, I have seen a man with a debilitating condition refused a wheelchair for weeks, and when finally given one, was forced to stay in medical isolation for months; a woman who suffered a miscarriage and was told she had a psychological pregnancy; requests for medication and post-op care that go unanswered. These are not mistakes or oversights. This is a deliberate choice by this administration to inflict pain and suffering because their cruelty knows no bounds. This is happening across the country. Thirty-one people died in ICE detention last year, the most in more than 20 years. This year, 24 more people have lost their lives. However, ICE isn't just killing people in detention. They are shooting American citizens like Renee Good and Alex Pretti in broad daylight. This should outrage every American. Yet here, in this Chamber, what has been the response of our Republican colleagues? It has been silence. While they carry their Bibles to church on Sunday, they carry the word of Donald Trump and Stephen Miller every other day of the week, and they are responsible for what is happening across our country. Instead of finding their voice to speak out against this administration, they are trying to suppress and silence the voices of Americans, whether by limiting their ability to vote by mail or limiting the number of polling locations in Texas, because Republicans know they have failed. They have failed their constituents. They have failed their country, and they know Americans are angry, as I am angry. We will end this national nightmare with or without them. We will protect our communities. We will hold accountable everyone who is responsible for the lawlessness, pain, and terror that this administration has inflicted on all of our communities, and we will remember everyone here who stayed silent in this moment.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to honor Congressman Frank J. Guarini, who passed away on Saturday, June 20, at the age of 101. As a distinguished World War II veteran, Congressman Guarini's service to our country began at a young age. He continued that service in the New Jersey State Senate, passing groundbreaking environmental protection laws and bringing the Giants to New Jersey. In Congress, he represented his beloved Jersey City where he was born and raised. In over 14 years in the House, he set a standard that we all aspire to today. Congressman Guarini built a remarkable record on trade, international affairs, education, housing, and environmental protection, all while never losing sight of his community and the people he fought for every day of his distinguished career. After retiring from the House and serving as U.S. Representative to the General Assembly of the United Nations, Congressman Guarini dedicated himself to the revitalization of Jersey City and philanthropy, both missions in which he achieved great success and left a lasting impact. He leaves behind a legacy that will not be forgotten by the countless people whose lives he touched in his eight decades of service. Mr. Speaker, now it is my honor to invite the House for a moment of silence for our colleague and friend Congressman Frank Guarini.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with more heartbreaking stories about the victims of the Trump administration's violent and immoral immigration actions. In my visits to Delaney Hall, I have met with fathers, mothers, and even a pastor who pose no threat to the safety of our communities. Mr. Speaker, I carry with me the story of a constituent who has protected status in this country, but for over a year has been detained in Texas and persistently threatened with efforts to remove her to a third country. Each time ICE failed to do so, until last week, when I found out that, in the dead of night, ICE took her from this country, from her family, and where she is supposed to be protected, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where if we do not get her back, she will die. For 15 months, we have seen the Trump administration tear apart our communities, kill American citizens in broad daylight, and inflict unimaginable pain on so many, including our children. In each unspeakable moment, Republicans have been silent, and they have been complicit in the brutalization of our neighbors. Their silence will never be forgotten. Whatever they choose to do or not to do, they need to know this: House Democrats and the American people will never bend. We will never relent, and we will fight on until we finally end this national nightmare.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have said for months that no one is safe in Trump's America. From New Jersey to Minnesota, mothers, fathers, children--no one is safe. We have seen people like Greg Bovino and his masked paramilitaries come into our communities and cause an immense amount of harm. We have seen 5-year-olds come home from school only to be detained and then sent to Dilley, Texas, then be returned and see the administration try to end their asylum claim. This is what people are experiencing across the country. We need everyone to speak out against it, not just in Minnesota, not just in New Jersey, and not just Democrats but Republicans as well. This is not who we are as a country, and we cannot be silent in this moment.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, in the span of 12 weeks, our country was shaken by the tragic killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who lost their lives because of the violent and reckless choices that the Trump administration has made. When I went to Minneapolis shortly after Renee Good's killing, I heard firsthand how the Trump administration's dangerous escalation of immigration enforcement is a threat not just to Minnesota but to every community and every American. Since Trump took office, at least six people have died during enforcement activities by Federal agents. People are not just dying in our streets. They are also dying in immigration detention centers run by ICE and private companies that have been empowered to profit off of detaining mothers, fathers, and children who pose no threat to our communities. Just last year alone, 32 people died in ICE detention, including Jean Wilson Brutus, who had been detained at Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey. While this administration claims they have our communities' best interests in mind, they have already proved through their actions from New Jersey to Minnesota and across the country that safety is not their priority. No one is safe in Trump's America, not mothers, not fathers, not our elders, and not even our children. That is why we must continue to stand up to fight for our communities and why we must drive Trump's paramilitary out of our communities, why we must end ICE, why we must end private detentions, why we must remove Secretary Noem, why we must remove Stephen Miller, and why we must continue to fight for the soul of our Nation.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, last week, a mother of three, a U.S. citizen, was killed in broad daylight. You would think in that moment Republicans would find their voice to speak out against the cruelty of this administration. Her children were robbed of memories that make a life, and they won't have their mother there for them. This week, ICE, DHS took this 5-year-old boy, Liam Ramos, from his family and from his community. This is what Liam's teacher says about him: ``He is very friendly. He comes into class every day, and he just brightens the room. His friends haven't asked about him yet, but I know that they'll catch on.'' Mr. Speaker, what they will catch onto, those 5-year-olds, the age of my daughter, is that this government, this administration, House Republicans have failed the American people. They failed our communities. They failed to keep us safe in the name of something that the Trump administration has lied to the American people about. This is the face of the people you are taking from our communities, from their families. It is unacceptable. It is unacceptable that you have not found your voice to speak out against it.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I could not leave Washington this week without calling out House Republicans for their hypocrisy. They have been silent while DHS agents shoot Americans in broad daylight and then smear them as domestic terrorists. At the same time, they try to vanish the memory of January 6 from our collective memory, refusing to put up a plaque to honor law enforcement officers who defended them from actual domestic terrorists in this very building. They won't hold this administration accountable because it would make them feel as unsafe as many Americans feel right now. They all saw what happened when Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump's staunchest supporters, opposed the President and in doing so saw her and her family's safety threatened. This is the culture of fear this President has created and which House Republicans have been complicit in. The American people deserve better, and I will keep coming down here until House Republicans finally speak up for the American people and hold this administration accountable.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, yesterday our Nation witnessed the killing of a fellow American in broad daylight, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her name was Renee Nicole Good. She was a concerned citizen and a mother. The loss of her life was entirely preventable. This tragic loss of life comes the same week that we remember what occurred here 5 years ago on January 6. On that day, violent insurrectionists attacked police officers, many of whom sustained serious injuries and five of whom have passed away since the attack, including Brian Sicknick, a New Jersey native and a proud Capitol Police officer. Instead of remembering and healing from the events of that day, President Trump pardoned close to 1,600 seditious and violent insurrectionists who were convicted of criminal charges. The President and House Republicans have tried to vanish the events of that day from our collective memory, but we will not let them. Last year, alongside my colleagues Congresswomen Watson Coleman and McIver, I witnessed firsthand outside Delaney Hall how far this administration will go to silence dissent and opposition when more than 20 armed ICE and HSI officers physically prevented us from doing our job. What I said then and what I would say today is that all of this should be completely unacceptable to all Americans and should shake every American to their core. I have said time and time again that no one is safe in Trump's America. Mothers, Capitol Police officers, our neighbors, Members of Congress, no one, not a single person should feel safe with him as our President. This administration's extreme agenda does not reflect the best of who we are as a country but, instead, seeks to turn us against each other. We cannot allow that to happen.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague, Ranking Member Pallone, for yielding. Mr. Speaker, House Republicans ended 2025 by failing to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits causing healthcare costs to skyrocket for millions of Americans. Since President Trump took office, electricity prices have gone up by 13 percent nationwide and 20 percent in New Jersey, leaving over 80 million Americans struggling to pay their utility bills. Instead of addressing the affordability crisis that they have ignored, that President Trump has called a hoax, the Republicans' priority on day one is showerheads. It is obscene that with all the work we need to do to uplift American families, to give them a fair shot at the American Dream, the Republican majority would choose instead to focus on showerheads. Why? Because it is important to one person and one person only, Donald Trump. Not once, at any of the townhalls I have had, has anyone said that their showerhead pressure is their top concern. Housing, yes. Healthcare, yes. Childcare, yes. Not once did they say showerheads was their primary concern. If my colleagues were serious about governing, we would be voting on protecting healthcare, lowering costs, and addressing the real issues that working families are facing. We would not be here today talking about showerheads. Mr. Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues to get serious and focus on the priorities our constituents sent us here to address. For all these reasons and so many more, I strongly oppose this bill.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the new Republican healthcare legislation. Instead of extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and keeping premiums from skyrocketing, House Republicans are pushing a plan that would force more than 20 million Americans to pay, on average, twice as much for the same coverage they have today. As a result, 4 million Americans will lose their insurance while others are going to be forced to pay far more for far worse coverage. Americans are already facing an affordability crisis. The House Republican solution is to cut a trillion dollars from healthcare, pass the largest cut to SNAP in history, and do nothing while Trump's tariffs raise costs across the board. When families are struggling every day to keep their heads above water, House Republicans are cutting all lifelines and throwing them a bag of bricks. This is not how government is meant to work. We need to uplift the American people and give them a fair shot at a good life that rewards hard work. That is what House Democrats will always fight for, a government that works for you, the American people. That is why we are forcing a vote to extend the ACA subsidies. We should not leave D.C. until we have that vote. Regardless of what the Republicans do, the American people need to know that House Democrats, when we are back in the majority, will fight for a healthcare system that works for all Americans.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend and colleague, the late Congressman Donald Payne, Jr., as we commemorate what would have been his 67th birthday. Donald and I were good friends and neighbors both representing the cities of Newark and Jersey City together. A proud son of Newark, Congressman Payne dedicated his life to fighting for his neighbors, ensuring no one was left behind. In his decades of public service, Congressman Payne was among the most progressive voices in our country fighting for every single American. What I admired most about my colleague was the courage and bravery he displayed in making his battle with diabetes public so he could advocate for better treatments and solutions for the horrible disease that ultimately took him from us. Until the very end, Congressman Payne continued to fight for his constituents, introducing legislation to protect people with disabilities within our healthcare system. I miss my friend. I miss his style. I miss his flair, and I miss his laugh, but I know that his spirit lives on and that we will continue the work he committed himself to. Happy birthday, Donald. We miss you, and we will always be better for the work and dedication that guided your years of service.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in opposition to H.R. 1949. Mr. Speaker, this bill would force the Department of Energy to rubberstamp every LNG export and strip the Department of its ability to review whether those exports are actually in the public interest. At a time when families across the country are already seeing rising costs, Republicans are doing the opposite of what is needed. Instead of working to lower energy bills, they are prioritizing legislation that props up the fossil fuel industry and blocks affordable, clean energy that is ready to be connected to the grid. We already know that increased LNG exports means higher energy prices for our communities at a time when families are already facing an affordability crisis. Due to skyrocketing demand, including from data centers, families in New Jersey saw a 20 percent spike in electricity bills this summer. Further, Republicans claim that we need more fossil fuels to compete with China. If that is their concern, why advance a bill that makes it easier for China to purchase even more of our domestic energy? Why are we driving up our own energy bills to help an adversary? It makes absolutely no sense. If we are serious about competing with China, we should take an all- of-the-above strategy to energy production and fast-track clean energy onto the grid. Further, my colleagues across the aisle should tell the Trump administration to get Revolution Wind, which is off the coast of Rhode Island, back on track. That is how we produce more energy in this country. Doing so would bring down prices for American families in the process. Mr. Speaker, I am strongly opposed to this bill, and I urge my colleagues to join me. Let's put the interests of our communities and of our country first.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and welcome the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All-Holiness Bartholomew, to Washington, DC. The spiritual leader of the Orthodox Christian Church, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew comes to the United States to accept the Templeton Prize, which recognizes an individual who has ``made an exceptional contribution to affirming life's spiritual dimension, whether through insight, discovery, or practical works.'' Born in current day Gokceada, Turkey, His All-Holiness received his undergraduate degree at the Theological School of Halki and completed graduate studies at three universities in Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. He was elected in October 1991 as the 270th Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome, a Church of 300 million individuals worldwide, including many of my constituents in New Jersey's 8th Congressional District. He has devoted his life to advocating for peace-building measures, organizing interfaith summits, and promoting religious freedom and human rights. It is a privilege to welcome such a leading figure to the Nation's Capital and recognize his significant contributions to peace, interreligious dialogue, and cultural understanding. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating this historic visit.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, 24 years ago today, our Nation was changed forever. I remember that day as a high school student. Standing along the Hudson River, a cloud of smoke and destruction hung over the New York skyline. There was palpable fear and terror in the air. I witnessed a stream of people covered in ashes, trying to get home. It is impossible to forget. What I remember most is how we came together as a country after that fateful day and how we bridged our divide and joined together as one Nation in grief and mourning but also in resolve and patriotism. Today, 24 years later, we are once again reminded of how easily those divisions can take hold of us and how they can divide us if we allow them to. We owe it to ourselves and, even more so, to the bravest Americans who answered the call that day and laid down their lives to recommit ourselves to civility and unity. We must never forget 9/11. We must never forget the victims, the survivors, and their families. I believe with every fiber of my being that we can heal our Nation and mend our wounds. We can truly be the United States of America and ``out of many, one.'' Mr. Speaker, that is the best way to honor their memory today and every day hereafter.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Sarah Katz, an empathetic, driven, and compassionate young woman, whose life was tragically cut short 3 years ago today. A native of Jersey City and graduate of Elisabeth Irwin High School in New York, Sarah devoted her life to helping others, working with the American Heart Association and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to raise awareness about heart health and the importance of CPR. Sarah was admired by so many in our community, especially her classmates and mentors at the University of Pennsylvania. Above all else, she was deeply loved by her family, her parents, Jill and Michael, and her sister, Dana. Amid unimaginable grief, her family turned to action, honoring Sarah's life by advocating for change. It has been a privilege to join them in this effort, introducing the Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act to save lives and prevent more families from having to endure the pain that the Katz family has felt. Every step of the way, their love for Sarah has been at the forefront of their advocacy. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join in this important effort and help drive change that will save lives. May Sarah's memory always be a blessing.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic albums in American music history, Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. Released on August 25, 1975, this landmark album did more than launch a young songwriter from Long Branch, New Jersey into stardom; it became the soundtrack for countless Americans and an anthem for all those blessed to call New Jersey home. Songs like ``Thunder Road'', ``Jungleland'', and the titular ``Born to Run'' demonstrate Springsteen's unmatched ability to blend vivid storytelling set in the incredible mosaic that is New Jersey with the generational musical talent of the E Street Band. Born to Run has stood the test of time and is remembered today as a timeless masterpiece about our daily struggles and chasing our dreams no matter the odds. Over the past five decades, Bruce Springsteen has become more than just an iconic artist. He is a staple of American culture. Known as ``The Boss'', he has sold more than 150 million records, won 20 Grammy Awards, and been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His philanthropic efforts supporting food banks, veteran organizations, and anti-poverty initiatives reflect the values of compassion, solidarity and looking after each other that have always been the foundation of his music. And even with all of his success, you can still find him near the streets, venues, boardwalks and people that shaped him and his music. Mr. Speaker, the 50th anniversary of Born to Run is not just a celebration of an album, it is a recognition of Bruce Springsteen's enduring impact on our country. For more than half a century he has given voice to the struggles and aspirations of the people we encounter in all our lives--the dreamers and the believers, the down-but-not-out, and the men and women whose stars may have faded but still burn inside them. But perhaps what separates Springsteen from his peers is that he continues to create music that captures the moment and times we are in. On behalf of the people of New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District, and the millions of Springsteen fans worldwide, it is a privilege to honor this important anniversary and to thank him for all his contributions to our country, and most notably, to the great Garden State.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today frustrated by the chaos and harm that is being caused by House Republicans under the direction of the Trump administration. This week, the House is coming to a standstill because Republicans refuse to address the Epstein files despite Trump's repeated commitments to the American people to do so. However, their inability to deliver on their promises runs much deeper. Trump promised to end inflation and make America affordable again, yet inflation rose 2.7 percent in June, and the majority of Americans rightfully blame the White House for driving up the prices of food and groceries. Trump said his mass deportation agenda would only target violent criminals, but over 90 percent of detainees being held in New Jersey have no criminal conviction. Trump said he would improve the Affordable Care Act, yet he just signed a bill into law that cuts over $1 trillion from healthcare and will cause an average ACA premium increase of over $1,200 for people in our district. Amidst the chaos, the inaction, and the harm that is being caused in communities nationwide, Democrats will continue to do everything we can to protect and uplift those whom we represent. We will continue to present an alternative pathway forward, one that fulfills the promises of this country and delivers the results that all Americans deserve.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1717, the Communications Security Act. One of the many vital functions that the Federal Communications Commission serves is ensuring that our Nation's communications systems are prepared to deal with cybersecurity threats and natural disasters. We know that threats to critical infrastructure that put our communities in harm's way are on the rise, and we need expert collaboration at the FCC to ensure that our communications networks remain reliable when we need them the most. Countless tragic and heartbreaking incidents have highlighted the urgent need to bolster these networks, from the recent flooding in Texas, to Hurricane Helene last year, to Superstorm Sandy that devastated my home State of New Jersey in 2012. In these moments, our ability to communicate with one another and with emergency responders is vital. That is why the FCC should have a permanent advisory council that can provide recommendations regarding both the rapid restoration of communications services in the event of widespread or major network disruptions and the steps communications providers can take to help secure these networks and everyone who relies on them. My bill would codify the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council, or CSRIC, which focuses on improving next- generation 911, emergency preparedness, network security, resiliency, and interoperability. Time and again, CSRIC has improved the reliability, availability, and performance of our communications networks during natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and cybersecurity attacks. It is common sense that we should make this council permanent. The bill specifies that CSRIC must include representatives from a wide range of stakeholders from the communications industry, academia, the public-interest sector, and State, local, and Tribal Governments, ensuring that everyone is at the table to help keep our communities safe and secure. In a time when oversight is key, this bill would require biennial reporting to the FCC, Congress, and the public, with recommendations on future improvements and updates to keep all of us and the American public informed. I thank my colleague and good friend from the great State of New Jersey, Ranking Member Pallone, for helping move this bill forward. I also thank my colleague from Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce) for joining me in this bipartisan effort. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of the bill.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the rule to make in order the amendment at the desk that protects against any cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, 10 years ago today, our Nation made a remarkable step toward equality with the legalization of gay marriage. This was a day that came after decades of advocacy by individuals and organizations across the country, including Garden State Equality in my home State of New Jersey. The rights of our friends and neighbors are under continuous attack from the Trump administration including by cutting HIV treatment and prevention and rolling back antidiscrimination protections. More than 1.3 million Americans have sought lifesaving help by making the call to 988. Yet this administration has eliminated funding for those specialized services. These are blatant attempts to harm the LGBTQ community that has already overcome so much and made incredible strides towards equality. It is here in this Chamber that we should be standing beside them and fighting for them. When we are elected here to serve here in the people's House, it is our obligation to fight for everyone that we have the privilege of representing. Mr. Speaker, that is what I will always do and what I urge my colleagues across the aisle to do, as well.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding contributions of Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer as she is honored by Elizabeth's Promise Awards. Dr. Hugelmeyer is a distinguished educator and the Superintendent of Elizabeth Public Schools. Her unwavering commitment to academic excellence and her visionary leadership have profoundly impacted the students, educators, and the broader community of Elizabeth. Dr. Hugelmeyer has dedicated her career to public education and to serving her community. She has worked in education for over 27 years and has served as a classroom teacher, Supervisor of Grants, Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and Superintendent of Elizabeth Public Schools. Her distinguished career demonstrates her unparalleled devotion to the students of Elizabeth's public schools. Throughout her tenure, Dr. Hugelmeyer has championed initiatives aimed at enhancing educational outcomes and fostering an environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. She has lead the Elizabeth Public School District with distinction through many challenging times, including the tumultuous COVID-19 pandemic. Her renowned leadership has not only elevated the standards of education within Elizabeth Public Schools, but has also served as an inspiration to countless students, educators, and administrators. The House extends our deepest gratitude to Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer for her exemplary service and unwavering dedication to the field of education. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the Elizabeth community and beyond.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm that sensitive data for millions of Americans is at risk. Many of us have heard of the scams, data breaches, and hacks that have plagued businesses and individuals for years. Unfortunately, the newest threat to our personal data comes from within the Federal Government. Over the past 3 months, Elon Musk's DOGE employees embedded themselves in dozens of Federal departments and agencies without any guardrails or protections put in place by our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. We know this data is extremely valuable to bad actors and foreign adversaries. In fact, after DOGE infiltrated the National Labor Relations Board, suspicious attempts were made to access the data from an IP address in Russia. Congress should be working to fulfill our obligations to the American people and safeguard their data. Instead, my colleagues across the aisle have seemingly left the door open for DOGE and anyone else to potentially access and misuse their constituents' personal information. It is not just the recklessness that should concern everyone across the country. It is the fact that the data being held by the government is being weaponized by the Trump administration. The IRS recently entered into an agreement with ICE to share information about immigrants. The same is true of data on affording housing recipients. If we allow them to use this data now, then what will stop them from using information from other agencies in the future against other groups of Americans? Mr. Speaker, at a recent Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, we heard from experts in this field who were invited there by my Republican colleagues that as we seek to harness the growth of AI, we must put guardrails in place to protect all Americans' sensitive information, which we know is a target-rich environment for foreign adversaries. My colleagues don't have to take my word for it. Just listen to the testimony of the people whom Republicans invited here to testify. Malicious actors do not care what someone's political party is or where they live before they steal our data. Our response to this threat should be bipartisan. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to stand alongside House Democrats in calling upon the Trump administration, the Office of Management and Budget, and DOGE to clarify what actions they are taking to safeguard the most sensitive taxpayer data that exists on our Federal systems. If they don't act, then we should here in Congress.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, last month, an air tourism helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near Jersey City killing six people, including three young children. This tragedy is yet another example of the threat that nonessential helicopters pose to public safety, especially in the congested airspace over New Jersey and New York. Since 1983, there have been at least 30 helicopter crashes in our region, resulting in at least 31 fatalities. We also continue to hear from countless New Jersey residents whose lives are upended by the constant, incessant noise of helicopters traveling at low altitudes over our neighborhoods. Since taking office, we have consistently worked to address these challenges, from the noise and nuisance they cause to the safety risks that have been well documented. In the 118th Congress, we introduced two pieces of legislation and directly engaged with the FAA to address these issues, hosting a workshop in Jersey City with stakeholders and local leaders, but this crash is a clarion call to every level of government that further urgent action is needed. That is why, along with my colleagues from New Jersey and New York, I introduced the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, which bans all nonessential helicopter traffic within a 20-mile radius of the Statue of Liberty. It is clear that the helicopter industry is not a good actor or one willing to proactively take measures to protect our communities. In the wake of this most recent tragedy, one air tourism company offered discounts to their customers for flights in our region. They are clearly more interested in profit than public safety, making it abundantly clear that they should no longer be allowed to operate. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in support of this bill so that we can protect lives in our communities and ensure that tragedies like this one never happen again. Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Buddy Baseball in Bayonne

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Buddy Baseball in Bayonne. Every year, more than 100 children and young adults with special needs gather for a season of Buddy Baseball, giving everyone the opportunity to succeed, play, and enjoy this incredible game. This year, I was proud to march in the parade to celebrate their opening day and commemorate the opening of their brand-new field. Hundreds of spectators lined the streets to cheer on this year's players, and it was heartwarming to see our community come together for such a great cause. The city of Bayonne is leading the way in bringing communities together in an inclusive way, lifting up those around us, and showing what we can achieve when we work together. Mr. Speaker, I thank everyone who made this dream a reality and for reminding us what we can do when we come together as one in a community.

Mr. MENENDEZ

Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak against the administration's immigration enforcement policies. For months the President and House Republicans have said that they are only targeting violent criminals. Why is it, then, that last week ICE attempted to deport a constituent of mine who had been granted legal protections against removal under the Convention Against Torture? This woman, the victim of unspeakable crimes in her home country, came here to the United States for her safety which is now being undermined by this administration. Mr. Speaker, imagine being a United States citizen and the horror you would feel when your family member, again, someone who had been granted legal protection, is taken in the middle of the night and driven to Mexico, a country to which she has no ties. How is this making our country safer? How is this upholding the ideals of our Nation? Mr. Speaker, when this administration talks about mass deportations, this is what they mean: taking people in the middle of the night who have a right to be here and trying to remove them to foreign countries. My office is doing everything we can to help this woman and her family, but it begs the question: If this is how the administration treats someone with an attorney and the support of a Member of Congress, what does that mean for all those who don't have anyone fighting for them? Who is speaking up for them? If we say nothing, then what does that say about us? This can't be what we stand for as a country. As a grandson of immigrants and the Representative of a proud immigrant community, it is something that I will always fight against. GOP Attempting to Undermine Separation of Powers