David Price

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank our colleague from Maryland for highlighting this issue of aviation noise and the need for the FAA to be responsive to community concerns. Noise we know is an unfortunate and unpleasant side effect of the investments, the jobs, and the mobility gained from aviation service. We received numerous requests about noise from colleagues this year, and we underscore the FAA should make every feasible effort to assist airports, airlines, and local communities mitigate noise for the health and benefit of those affected. Mr. Chair, I thank our colleague for raising this issue, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Raskin) for the purpose of a colloquy.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman and the colleagues she mentioned for bringing up this important issue. It may impose legal and financial challenges to certain States. Certainly it is an important issue for my friend from California and for her State, so I will be happy to work with her and the FAA to find a mutually acceptable solution. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, I rise as the designee of Chairwoman Lowey, and I move to strike the last word.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano) for the purpose of a colloquy.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of Chairwoman Lowey, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, this incredible amendment would target some of our most vulnerable people in our society today. A study by True Colors United found that among homeless transgender youth, 75 percent had been victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; 25 percent had been victims of intimate partner violence; and 20 percent had been victims of sexual exploitation or trafficking. Mr. Chairman, more than 300 domestic violence and sexual violence organizations have signed a national consensus statement agreeing it is appropriate to serve transgender women alongside other women according to their gender identity. They agreed there is no safety issue despite the rhetoric heard today. In fact, transgender women are much more likely to suffer abuse themselves. So let's not turn that safety issue on its head. Let's reinstate the guidance, let's enforce the rule, and let's make certain that in this society people are treated equally and fairly. Mr. Chairman, let's reject this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, may I ask how much time is remaining.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support-- in strong opposition to this amendment. Our subcommittee has repeatedly asked the Department to provide a report detailing their strategy for continuing to ensure that LGBTQ individuals have access to HUD programs and the plan for disseminating that information to housing providers. HUD has yet to provide any strategy or any plan. So that is why we have acted. It has left us no choice but to act. This House took great strides a few weeks ago in passing the Equality Act, and we are certainly not going to turn around today and take those rights away. I am offended we have not one, not two, but three amendments designed precisely to take those rights away. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose this discrimination and to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Clark).

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I am baffled and distressed that my colleagues seem so intent on targeting such a vulnerable population. This Equal Access in Accordance with an Individual's Gender Identity in Community Planning and Development Programs rule simply ensures that all Americans have access to HUD services regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status. This amendment strikes protections for homeless youth seeking help in shelters. It also strikes eligibility for other HUD programs and for FHA loans. Mr. Chairman, research shows that same-sex couples and transgender individuals experience significant discrimination when seeking housing. LGBTQ youth comprise up to 40 percent of the homeless population. Let me, again, remind my colleagues of the risks faced, as Ms. Wexton has stressed, the risks faced by transgender, homeless youth when they are living on the streets. This population is much more likely to experience physical, emotional, sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual exploitation, or trafficking. LGBTQ youth have over twice the rate of early death compared to other youth experiencing homelessness. When these young people arrive at a shelter, they are not a safety risk for others. On the contrary, they are desperate. They are vulnerable. Many are homeless because their families rejected them for being transgender. We should be doing everything we can to ensure they have alternatives to living on the streets, and that when they ask for help, they are not turned away and revictimized. Secretary Carson assured our committee and our colleagues on the Financial Services Committee as well, that HUD would not revoke these protections. But right after he made those assurances, the announcement came that he was doing just that. Our subcommittee has repeatedly asked the Department to provide a report detailing their strategy for continuing to ensure that LGBTQ individuals have access to HUD programs, and that they plan for disseminating this information to housing providers. They have yet to provide such a strategy or such a plan, leaving us with no choice, Mr. Chairman, but to enshrine the Equal Access in Accordance with an Individual's Gender Identity in Community Planning and Development Programs rule in law, and to permanently reinstate the Department's guidance to ensure that providers have the tools they need to protect and to serve this vulnerable population. This heartless amendment would lead to more discrimination, more homeless LGBTQ youth, and more vulnerability to abuse and violence. We simply must vote ``no,'' and I urge my colleagues to do so, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. May I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Wexton).

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Virginia (Ms. Wexton).

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for raising this issue. I want to note that the underlying bill provides $1 million for the Transportation Research Board to conduct a study to review all aspects of the transportation of liquefied natural gas in rail tank cars, and it requires the Department to incorporate findings and recommendations from this study into any rulemaking on the transportation of LNG in rail tank cars before issuing a final rule authorizing such shipments. Mr. Chair, I plan to vote for this amendment, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleague on this issue.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to close, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Garcia).

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Miss Rice).

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, the amendments included in this en bloc were made in order by the rule. They have been agreed to by both sides. I support the amendment, and I urge its adoption. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, pursuant to section 3 of House Resolution 445, and as the designee of the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), I offer amendments en bloc.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey.

Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Malinowski).