Donald Payne

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, who has demonstrated great leadership in leading these CBC Special Order hours. It is not an easy task, but she has done remarkable work in terms of finding topics that are important to our communities and our Nation. As the gentlewoman stated, Mr. Speaker, this month we marked 6 months of the Trump Presidency and 6 months of congressional Republican inaction. Republicans made promise after promise to the American people. The President called himself the ultimate dealmaker. I wonder if we are witnessing the first Manchurian President. Instead of the promise of jobs, infrastructure, and a new and improved healthcare plan, we get chaos and seemingly never-ending controversies. Where is the Republican agenda? Where are their accomplishments? Where are all those wins? Let's take a look at the numbers. President Trump has a job approval rating of 36 percent, the lowest of any President ever at this point in their Presidency. Republicans can point to zero legislative accomplishments. The President has no plan to lower healthcare costs, no jobs bills, no infrastructure bills, no tax reform, and no clean budget. These simply are the facts. Instead of doing what is right for the American people, it appears that Republicans are more occupied with taking away healthcare from millions of our constituents to give tax cuts to the wealthy, or defending the administration's most recent controversy. This week, we will vote on a dishonest security spending package that will force American taxpayers to pay for the President's border wall. Who is going to pay for it? It looks like the American people. During his campaign and the rhetoric that we heard up until this point, Mexico was going to pay for the wall. Now, here we are, with our Republican colleagues supporting an effort that says that the American people will pay for the wall. Well, we will get the money from Mexico later. Yeah, all right. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I am alarmed by President Trump's and the congressional Republicans' determination to further break down our alliances and ignorance of matters related to the security of this Nation. Instead of funding the border wall, we should focus on building strong transportation and infrastructure systems that will create good- paying jobs and lay a foundation for a strong economy. Instead, we are weakening America. Let's build America with a strong infrastructure bill and adequate training and apprenticeship programs that will benefit our constituents. Make it in America is something I heard last week, which sounds magnificent, if we could do it. But if you are going to be the leader of this country and make such pronouncements, you have to live by what you are talking about. Make it in America is to strive to make sure that we do everything in America. We hear of two buildings Trump erected in Chicago that used Chinese steel or steel from outside the United States. If you look at his ties, his shirts, his suits, the soap in his hotels, nothing is made in America. Who are we trying to kid with this? There is nothing. Maybe his daughter. Well, no, her shoes aren't made in America. Her dresses are not made in America. Who are we kidding? Who are we fooling? The American people have to open their eyes and see the sham that is going on. How this President says one thing and does absolutely the opposite is an atrocity. Make it in America? He stood up there in front of the American people and said that, with the suit, shirt, and tie that he had on? Absolutely unconscionable. Where are the jobs? I am going to be the best job creator you have ever seen. When? You are going to win so much, you are going to get tired of winning. When? The American people deserve better. The American people deserve better than a Congress that cares more about pushing an agenda that puts wealthcare in front of healthcare. The American people deserve better than a Congress that will pass legislation that will harm our environment, contaminate our air, and pollute our waterways. The American people deserve better than a Congress that continues to ignore important issues that disproportionately affect African-American communities, such as criminal justice reform, gun violence prevention, and voting rights. While this administration and congressional Republicans turn their backs on the American workers, we will continue to demand real action to create jobs, raise wages, and create a brighter future for American families.

Mr. PAYNE. Will the gentlewoman yield?

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize this Friday as the 10th annual National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day. It is a harsh reality that HIV/AIDS touches every community across the country. Although we made great progress in treating the disease, it is imperative to continue striving for prevention, effective treatments, and a cure. This is particularly important in my home State of New Jersey. In 2013 alone, over 2,000 adults and adolescents were diagnosed with HIV, making New Jersey the sixth highest in the country of new diagnoses. In ages 13 to 24, diagnoses have increased from 10 to 18 percent, and in the African-American community, rates are above the national average. We must remain vigilant to combat this epidemic that continues to plague communities across our Nation, especially in light of the continued efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and remove insurance protections for millions. We must be vocal against all efforts to take away the ability to receive adequate care and do our part to fight HIV/AIDS. Encourage your loved ones to get tested.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Masjid Al-Haqq in Newark, New Jersey, on its 25th anniversary. Founded on June 18, 1992, and headed by Imam Muhammad, Masjid Al-Haqq has dedicated 25 years of service to the community, and I want to thank them for an outstanding job. Masjid Al-Haqq provides the most reputable Muslim journal newspapers on a weekly basis in the city of Newark, without fake news, and sends a large contingent of Newark Muslims to the Muslim Convention held in Chicago each year during Labor Day weekend. Every December, the Masjid also holds a ``Time to Reflect'' weekend, where the community gathers for workshops and family activities. The services they provide impact the lives of many around our community. I once again offer my sincere congratulations for a job well done. Happy 25th anniversary.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the gentleman from Texas for sponsoring this CBC Special Order hour. It is a great responsibility and a responsibility that he has done remarkably well in governing the time and the topics on which we speak. This is a timely topic, Mr. Speaker. In a single decision, the U.S. Supreme Court set ablaze decades of progress by overturning critical portions of the Voting Rights Act. Four years after Shelby County v. Holder, voter protections that many Americans rely on are again under assault. Following that decision, we saw an eruption of unjust voting laws. It is an unfortunate historical fact that, in the absence of Federal safeguards, some States will erect prejudicial barriers to voting. States previously under Federal overview were emboldened and, shortly after the ruling issued, blatantly added discriminatory rules that directly affected minority communities. Sadly, one of the most significant and imminent threats to accessing the polls comes directly from the administration. Since the inauguration, the Trump administration has withdrawn from longstanding legal challenges to discriminatory voter laws and created the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity that will investigate the President's wildly unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud. These sorts of actions and rhetoric only reassure States that discriminatory voting laws will be tolerated and upheld in this administration. I urge Congress to take responsibility and restore vital voter protections that have secured the integrity of our democracy for more than 50 years. Although the Shelby decision was one of the most disruptive judicial decisions in recent American history, passing good voting rights legislation will redeem America's promise of a fair vote for everyone of eligible age. It appears that protecting America's basic right to vote will be a task reborn with every generation. Obstacles to voting are no longer as blatantly obvious as literary tests and poll taxes. Unjust voter ID laws, voter intimidation, and unfair gerrymandering create barriers to the polls for individuals from all skin colors and age groups. Although these actions appear insurmountable, they are not. Voter suppression is an affront to the Constitution and will not be tolerated. If we continue to resist all attempts to turn back voter protections, we will be successful and once again stand proudly on the right side of history. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that this Nation appears to be going in reverse. Gains that have been made by people who weren't necessarily considered citizens when they first arrived here, but property, have had to look to these rulings and laws being created in order for them to have the rights every other American has. The hands that built this great building could not vote, were property. But it is a beautiful symbol of this Nation's history. The ancestors of the people that helped build these beautiful buildings here will be rolling over in their graves to learn that equality and rights for all are still under attack. So, Mr. Speaker, the CBC and, I hope, the whole Congress will be vigilant in this area, making sure that all Americans, regardless of where they come from, where they started, and when they were allowed and even seen as citizens, have the right to vote in this great country.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to pay tribute to Martha Rivera Chavis, and the many contributions she made as a dedicated resident of Montclair, New Jersey, and to countries abroad. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Mrs. Chavis was an astounding woman who loved caring and providing service to people. She completed her studies at San Pedro Apostol Catholic School in the Dominican Republic and received her degree in French Civilization from Sorbonne University in Paris, France in 1987. Following her graduation she served as a French to Portuguese translator for the Republic of Angola's Ambassador to the United Nations. It was during this time she met the love of her life, Rev. Dr. Benjamin Franklin Chavis. The couple married in September, 1988. Mrs. Chavis was a beloved mother and fierce advocate for freedom, justice, and equality in the United States, Africa, and the Dominican Republic. She was an astounding First Lady of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, and First Lady of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Her service, however, far expanded from her First Lady roles. After her husband, Rev. Dr. Chavis, visited Angola, the couple cared for nine Angolans including six children with missing limbs as a result of the civil war in Angola, in their home in Montclair, New Jersey. Due to the Chavises' unwavering care, when the nine Angolans returned to Africa, they were able to go back with prosthetics. Mr. Speaker, I know my fellow members of the U.S. House of Representatives agree that Mrs. Chavis deserves to be recognized for a job well done, and for many years of service to her local and international communities.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, on July 12, 1967, a fire of rebellion sparked in my hometown and led to 5 days of conflict. Today we acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the Newark riots, or as the citizens called it, the Newark Rebellion and Occupation, and we memorialize the 26 people who lost their lives in those turbulent 5 days: Rose Abraham, Elizabeth Artis, Mary Helen Campbell, Eloise Spellman, Eddie Moss, Captain Michael Moran, Isaac Harrison, Frederick Toto, Robert Martin, Albert Mersier, Jr., Rufus Hawk, William Furr, Oscar Hill, Tedock Bell, Michael Pugh, Jessie Mae Jones, James Rutledge, Leroy Boyd, Rebecca Brown, Hattie Gainer, Raymond Gilmer, Cornelius Murray, Victor Louis Smith, James Sanders, Richard Taliaferro, and Rufus Council. Mr. Speaker, those were turbulent days in the city's history, but we have not forgotten and we have learned great lessons from that time. May we also never forget these lives that perished in those 5 days.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mrs. Martha Rivera Chavis, who passed away on July 6, 2017, at her home in Montclair, New Jersey. After receiving her degree in French civilization at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France, Mrs. Rivera Chavis served as the French- to-Portuguese translator for Angola's Ambassador to the United Nations. It was there she met Reverend Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., a civil rights leader and president of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. After marrying in 1988, Mrs. Rivera Chavis and her husband cared for nine Angolans, including six children with missing limbs, at their home in Montclair. Mrs. Rivera Chavis carried that empathy and compassion with her throughout life, including during her tenure as the head of the Women in NAACP committee, where she fought for justice, equality, and freedom for minority communities. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Rivera Chavis will be greatly missed by all who knew her. I send my thoughts and prayers to her husband, Benjamin, and her children and loved ones.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, Senate Republicans have negotiated their TrumpCare bill in the dark, and that is just where it should have stayed. And just wait until the CBO score comes out next week. Knowing that this bill will cause immeasurable harm to millions of American families who will lose their coverage and protections while facing higher costs, I do not understand how anyone could support it. We constantly hear from our Republican colleagues that TrumpCare keeps their promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act. So you keep that misguided promise, but at what cost? We are talking about the lives of real people, millions of real people. Aren't they worth more than just a tax cut for the rich? Mr. Speaker, I urge my Republican colleagues to scrap this disastrous bill. Let's work together to improve the Affordable Care Act and not destroy it.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, perhaps it is not surprising that the House Republicans haven't put forward a budget, despite passing their deadline more than 2 months ago. It has been nearly 800 days since the House Republicans agreed to a budget. Hat-tip to the Huffington Post's Matt Fuller for that fun fact. What we are seeing is an ongoing inability of House Republicans to do their job. Republicans have introduced no jobs bill, given no indication whether they will lift the debt ceiling to avoid default, and offered no responsible spending legislation. Mr. Speaker, this is dysfunction at its worst. The American people sent us here to deliver results on jobs, on healthcare, on security. I urge my Republican colleagues to take that responsibility seriously and to work with Democrats to achieve progress. I know we can.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, when President Trump calls your healthcare legislation mean and coldhearted, you know that it is time to reconsider your approach to the Nation's healthcare system. The President was referring, of course, to the House-passed TrumpCare legislation, which pulls the rug from under millions of Americans, raising their costs, gutting their protections, and, for many, taking away their coverage. And while we do not know the extent of the damage the Senate Republicans' secret health bill would cause, we do know its consequences would be disastrous. We do know, for instance, that the Senate Republicans plan to gut essential health benefits and destroy the Medicaid expansion. TrumpCare is fundamentally flawed. Higher costs, less coverage, fewer protections, that is the gift from the Republican Party to the American people. The bill would also destroy millions of jobs--nearly 14,000 jobs in my State of New Jersey next year alone. TrumpCare is an ugly bill being advanced through an ugly process. Senate Republicans can hide the details from their bill, but they cannot hide that simple fact from the American people.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, my heart is with the families and the loved ones of our colleagues, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, and all those injured yesterday: Crystal Griner, David Bailey, Matt Mika, and Zack Barth. Steve, we are all praying for you and your wife, Jennifer, and your children. We wish you a happy Father's Day and a full recovery. To the U.S. Capitol Police, you showed yesterday why you are the best at what you do. David Bailey and Crystal Griner, without hesitation, leaped into action. Had they not done that, the story could be very different today. We are grateful for your service yesterday and every day.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, the tired, the poor, the huddled masses yearning to breathe free are still welcome in America, no thanks to President Trump. Today, for the second time, President Trump lost a ruling on his Muslim ban in the Federal courts of appeal. The purpose of the President's ban is clear. The then Presidential candidate Trump explicitly called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. Just last week, President Trump criticized his revised ban as politically correct and called for a much tougher version. The President's executive order is a Muslim ban, plain and simple. Any argument to the contrary is undercut by the President's own tweets. President Trump, by his own words and by his own actions, is abdicating America's moral leadership. The greatness of America is not built on isolation and discrimination. It is built on the rule of law and the ideals of equality and inclusion and on the rich history of immigration.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Well, first, I thank the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, Congresswoman Plaskett, and the gentleman from Texas, Marc Veasey, for hosting tonight's Special Order hour on such an important topic: racism and discrimination. Before I begin, I want to take a moment to mark the 1-year anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting and to remember the 49 lives that were cut short in the deadliest mass shooting in our Nation's history. As we grieve for the victims and their families, we must continue to stand in solidarity with the survivors and with the LGBTQ community against hate, intolerance, for love, in support of our Nation's values of equality and dignity for all. The kind of intolerance, hate, and violence on display that day in Orlando has become an alarming trend in this country, a trend that has disturbingly been fueled by President Trump. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, 37 percent of the 1,094 bias-related incidents in just the first month after the election referenced the President, his campaign slogans, or his remarks about sexual assault. As he did throughout his campaign, President Trump continues to speak the language of racial and cultural grievance, pitting Americans against one another and perpetuating the viciousness he pretends to despise. The result is what you would expect: a spike in hate crimes and hate speech. I have seen in my district in New Jersey where anti-Semitic graffiti was plastered on a pedestrian bridge. We have seen it at American University and just down the road at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where nooses were found last month. Communities of color know this pain all too well. Mr. Speaker, I am really fortunate to be able to discuss an issue of such importance to this Nation. This is one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. You know, I have been very fortunate in my life to have been born into a situation where a great American prior to me held this seat for 23 years in the 10th Congressional District of the State of New Jersey. His name was Donald Payne. He was my father and he afforded me a lifestyle, one of which I did not know of his suffering and pain growing up as a young African American in this country. But even in that situation, I have found myself--irrespective of being in that position, I found myself in situations that have been dangerous and uncomfortable. As a young, 20-year-old--you know, when we are 20, we do things that we probably shouldn't be doing at times. I was on my lunchtime going downtown to pay a bill at a department store where I had my first credit card, and I was running late. So what I decided to do was make a U-turn on the main street, Broad Street, in Newark, New Jersey, which is the largest street in the town. And I made a U-turn to come in front of the store. Naturally, you know, with my luck, a motorcycle police officer was coming down the street at the same time. So he pulled me over, as he should, and I was wrong. But I was using my cousin's car. So when he asked me for my license and registration, I could not find the papers that I needed and I was fumbling and nervous. The officer leaned into the car and used the N-word and said: If you don't find those documents in a minute, I will throw you so far under the jail that they will never find you. So this is very frightening for any citizen to go through. So I was able to get my license, and I handed it to him. Just before that, they would throw me so far under the jail that they would never find me again. Once I handed him my license and it said that I was Donald Payne, Jr., whose father was a sitting councilman in the city of Newark, his whole attitude changed. ``Don't you know that you could get hurt, or you could hurt someone, or you have to be careful.'' A minute ago I was nothing. I would be so far under the jail, they would never find me. But now that I am connected to something or someone, all of a sudden we have become paternal. Mr. Speaker, there are millions of people in this country that aren't connected to someone, and these are the types of things that they go through. So I am just here to say that we must be vigilant. I believe in this country; I believe in its greatness. I believe in the words in the Pledge of Allegiance. I believe in the Constitution. We must make it work for all Americans.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the girls and boys track teams at West Side High School in Newark, New Jersey, for winning gold in their respective 4x400 meter relay heats at the Penn Relays this year. The oldest and largest track and field competition in the world, the Penn Relays is also one of the most prestigious, drawing nearly 20,000 athletes from across the globe. There is some really tough competition at the Penn Relays, but both West Side teams stood out. The boys relay team, made up of James Bell, Jarrett Gentle, Jakai Coker, and Shaquan Williams, won their heat in an impressive 3 minutes 28 seconds, more than a second faster than the second place team. The girls relay team, made up of Aminah Muhammad, Fatima Sannor, Tiyauna Evans, and Jahne Slocum, won their heat in an impressive 4 minutes and 7 seconds, more than 3 seconds faster than the second place finishers. Madam Speaker, again, I congratulate the West Side High School track team and their coaches, Rickey Meekins and Eddie Greene, for bringing home the gold--a testament to their skill, dedication, and teamwork. Go, Roughriders.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives to join me as I rise to pay tribute to Mrs. Rose Allston Woodside, and the many contributions she made as a dedicated community member of Newark, New Jersey. Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Mrs. Woodside is a long-time, exemplary resident of Newark's Central Ward. She lived in Newark for 89 years, where she made an amazing impact on her community. As a young woman living on Hillside Place in Newark in the 1940s, she was a wonderful ballroom dancer and participated in local lindy hop dances at Newark's Kruger Auditorium. She received her high school diploma from South Side High School which laid the foundation for a successful career in the secretarial and stenography field. She contributed her service as an Executive Assistant at the Newark Housing Authority (NHA) for over 30 years. At the NHA, she became a founding member of the Local 305 Service Employees International Union, and served as its Corresponding Secretary. Mrs. Woodside's love for her community is unquestioned as she spent much of her time engaging in many civic and community activities. She was a founding member of The Lomars, a Newark social club, which supported the candidacy of Newark's first African American mayor, Kenneth Gibson. In addition, she was an officer and member of the Board of Directors of the High Park Garden housing cooperative in Newark's Central Ward. Mrs. Woodside has been an amazing member of the St. James A.M.E. Church for 71 years. In her church she served for over 20 years, as a member and officer of the Marie B. Moses Scholarship Committee for over 20 years, which provided college scholarships for high school students. Also, Mrs. Woodside loved to travel. She has visited several countries. including South Africa, which she visited four times. Her love to experience different cultures transpired through her work as a member of the Experienced Seniors Club, where she helped to plan trips and cultural events for other senior citizens living in Newark. Furthermore, for many years she was a poll worker in Newark's Central Ward. At 90, her hobby consists of making beautifully designed tissue boxes for family members and friends. Throughout her time in Newark, she developed special bonds with many members of her community including with Mayor Baraka's grandmother, who she was best friends with. Not only is Mrs. Woodside a cherished resident of Newark, she is also a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mr. Speaker, I know my fellow members of the U.S. House of Representatives agree that Mrs. Rose Allston Woodside deserves to be recognized for a job well done and for many years of service to the Newark community.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Republic Day of Azerbaijan commemorating Azerbaijan's 99th year of independence and democracy. In 1918, Azerbaijan became the first democratic and secular Muslim country in the world. However, in 1920, the country was absorbed into the Soviet Union. After seven decades, Azerbaijan prevailed over the forces of communism to restore the country's independence in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Azerbaijan's National Republic Day highlights the nation's significant contributions to global stability, and religious tolerance. As an unwavering U.S. ally, Azerbaijan has provided vital resources for U.S. and NATO forces and fought side-by-side with U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The United States is grateful for Azerbaijan's security contributions in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Iraq as well as the country's commitment to global nonproliferation efforts. As a tolerant and secular Muslim-majority nation, Azerbaijan is dedicated to religious pluralism and ensuring the right of religious freedom. Azerbaijan is home to a thriving Jewish community and since the early 1990s, bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Israel have grown in the fields of intelligence sharing, security coordination and economic development. I commend Azerbaijan for their participation in the international community as a member of the United Nations (UN), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Azerbaijan is a strong partner of the United States in a strategically important and complex region of the world. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Azerbaijani people on their National Republic Day.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues a story of a corporate leader whose commitment to our nation's veterans is unmatched. Under the leadership of Alex Gorsky as CEO, Johnson and Johnson's commitment to providing the highest quality medical products is only matched by the firm's efforts to provide for the military service members it employs. Johnson & Johnson's long history of supporting military service members began as early as the Spanish-American War. Beginning in 1898, Johnson & Johnson began retaining positions and paying salaries to employees during military service. For the past century, Johnson & Johnson has been at the cutting edge of developing initiatives to cater to the unique needs of military service members and veterans. Alex Gorsky has doubled down on this impressive record with an unwavering dedication to continuing these traditions for those who have served our nation. Under Gorsky's leadership, Johnson & Johnson continues to make groundbreaking strides in support of those who have served with initiatives like the Johnson & Johnson Veterans Leadership Council (VLC). The VLC provides for the company's retired service members in an unprecedented manner by supporting the health care and recovery needs of our American heroes in 26 chapters across 11 states. I was particularly impressed to learn of Johnson & Johnson's Enhanced Military Leave Policy, also instituted by Mr. Gorsky, which enables active service members to defend our nation without fear of job instability, falling behind on bills, or being overlooked during the transition period back at work. I've learned that Mr. Gorsky's own distinguished military career has given him insight into the inherent value of hiring active and retired military service members. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Alex previously served as a U.S. Army Ranger and finished his career with the rank of Captain. Given his commendable service and past experience, Mr. Gorsky recognizes the importance of hiring veterans as they bring invaluable contributions to the workplace like discipline, integrity, critical thinking, and leadership skills. Johnson & Johnson's military support is not just good corporate culture. Alex Gorsky has led the way in offering financial stability and resources for service members and their families across America, and rewarded out nation's finest for their noble, patriotic service. I believe his legacy as a corporate leader in veteran advocacy creates unquestioned good will, which is valued by consumers, service members, and community leaders. I commend Mr. Gorsky's efforts to put military service members first as they protect our nation at home and abroad, and help Johnson & Johnson tackle our pressing health care needs.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. Esty) for allowing me this time to engage the American people in a subject that is crucial to the economy of this Nation and for the citizens that use transportation throughout this country. I think Mr. Garamendi really gave us the bang in terms of looking at the rail situation. That is an area that I also am going to speak on. Let me say that, with every day that passes, the need for Federal infrastructure investment grows more and more urgent. Robust and reliable infrastructure is the foundation for economic success and security. But for too long, the United States has underinvested in our infrastructure, and this once vibrant foundation has crumbled. Yesterday, in my district, I took a visit with Amtrak to the 107- year-old Portal Bridge that carries about 450 trains and thousands of passengers over the Hackensack River in New Jersey every weekday. It is a major bottleneck along the Northeast corridor, the Nation's busiest rail line. This rail line goes through New Jersey--well, actually, it starts here in Washington and will travel to Boston. So it travels through Connecticut as well. But we have a major bottleneck in New Jersey. This old infrastructure, this 107-year-old bridge, is really outdated machinery because this bridge over the river has to spin on a turret when there are barges coming through. Normally it gets stuck. The replacement of the bridge is a key component of the $23.9 billion Gateway program, a comprehensive rail investment program to double rail capacity between New Jersey and New York City. According to a recent study released by Amtrak, the program could generate $3.87 worth of economic benefit for every $1 invested. New Jersey and New York have agreed to contribute $750 million towards the estimated $1.5 billion costs for the Portal Bridge project. But the program will not be able to move forward without Federal investment. President Trump's proposal to zero out the New Starts programs threatens to derail the overall Gateway program and the Portal Bridge project along with it. America's infrastructure is failing. Now is the time to build the infrastructure that we need to grow our economy, keep America safe, and become more competitive. Every dollar of infrastructure investment means another $3 of economic growth. America's infrastructure needs could be met, and then some, for a fraction of the cost of the President's tax plan--which is estimated to increase the deficit by $3 trillion to $7 trillion over the next decade--while contributing immensely to economic growth. Mr. Speaker, we see what is happening across this Nation. We have seen what has happened when bridges crumble, poor infrastructure and tunnels, and it is time for this Nation to invest, once again, in its infrastructure if it wants to remain the beacon in the world for economic growth. I would like to thank the gentlewoman, once again, for allowing me this opportunity to talk about a critical topic. If no one hears this call, we are doomed in terms of our infrastructure.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize this week as National Small Business Week and to applaud the vast contributions of small- business owners and entrepreneurs across my district--the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey. National Small Business Week is the perfect opportunity to recognize the importance of small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the diversity of businessowners. In New Jersey, small businesses employ nearly 2 million people and make up 99.6 percent of all businesses in the State. Over the last decade, women-owned businesses have increased by 45 percent and generated over $1.6 trillion in revenue. Minority-owned businesses have produced over $1.3 trillion and created 7 million jobs. Small businesses are truly the backbone of our Nation and economy. As Members of Congress, we must do our part to support all efforts to open the doors of opportunity for small business growth. Their success is our success.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank the gentleman from the Commonwealth of Virginia (Mr. McEachin). It is the birthplace of my mother: Dinwiddie County, Virginia. My grandfather was a small-time tobacco farmer, and I learned to cut tobacco at 8 years old. I am from Newark, New Jersey, the Garden State. We didn't raise much tobacco there in the Garden State, but my friends used think I was going on vacation when I would leave. I said I wasn't going on vacation; I was going to work. That is what we did for the summer. It was a great experience, and I always have great, great memories of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, last month, as part of a partnership with the National Newspaper Publishers Association, I wrote an op-ed on environmental justice issues. I will repeat what I wrote then, which is that environmental justice should be a national priority, not a problem confined to minority communities. African-American communities are disproportionately burdened with pollutants. Across the Nation, communities of color suffer from higher rates of exposure to air pollution, higher rates of lead poisoning, and higher rates of water pollution. Every single day, children in my home city of Newark, New Jersey, are exposed to harmful levels of pollution from the port and other sources that rob them of their health, just because of where they live. One in four Newark children has asthma. The hospitalization rate for Newark children is 30 times the rate of the national average. Asthma is the leading cause of absenteeism in school-age children in the city of Newark, New Jersey. Yet, too often, environmental justice is an afterthought, or often it is missing entirely in the discussion of the challenges facing African Americans. The Trump administration threatens to make the problem even worse. President Trump has prioritized rolling back environmental regulations, from emissions rules for power plants to the mandate that Federal decisionmaking must be taken into consideration on climate change impacts. President Trump proposed slashing the EPA's budget by 31 percent, cutting enforcement of the Agency's clean air laws by $129 million. With threats of excessive cuts to the EPA, air quality across the Nation may even be worse than expected. In the American Lung Association's ``State of the Air'' report, my district and many other metropolitan areas ranked as having the most polluted air in the country. However, only one-third of counties have ozone or particulate pollution air monitors. We must fight to ensure that funding for air monitors are for all our communities. So what can we do to protect our communities from environmental degradation? The Newark City Council has been a leader in that area and has passed a first-in-the-nation ordinance requiring developers to request environmental permits to inform the city of any environmental impacts. As a result, decisionmakers and the public will be able to make informed decisions about sustainable development. Other municipalities would be smart to follow Newark's lead. Last November, I joined Amy Goldsmith and Kim Gaddy of the Clean Water Action and the Coalition for Healthy Ports for an environmental justice tour of the Port of New York and New Jersey. We were also joined by Congressman Frank Pallone from New Jersey. Organizations like theirs are doing excellent work in the fight against health-threatening pollution. Expanding partnerships on the environmental justice initiatives must be a central part of our strategy to secure environmental protections. To those listening at home: I encourage you to make it clear to your elected officials that you will hold them accountable for any efforts to dismantle environmental protections and any failures to fight for environmental justice. And to my colleague from Virginia, it is really noteworthy that you have taken the lead on this issue. As I stated in my presentation, Newark, New Jersey, is 30 times greater propensity for asthma in children than the national average. I mean, that is almost criminal. And we as a home, myself, not just have heard about it, but have lived it. My middle son--I am the father of triplets. My middle son has grown up with asthma; the days we had to keep him inside. He has been fortunate to have not--knock on wood--have many instances throughout his childhood of asthma attacks, but the one that I did see really brought me to tears. To know that there are numbers of children throughout this country who don't have the opportunity to go to the doctor, who rush to the hospital with asthma attacks, and who, God forbid, sometimes don't make it to the doctor is just--to think that that could be my boy brings tears to my heart. So I am willing to make this fight not for just my son, but for the hundreds of thousands of children throughout this country who suffer from this disease, and make sure that the EPA stays intact to fight these dreaded diseases, especially in minority communities, in our young people, and throughout the country. I will close with the drinking water issue in Flint. The Congressional Black Caucus went out to Flint when the issue first came up. Ms. Pelosi was there as well, and we talked to the people of Flint and heard firsthand their heartbreak and not being able to think they could trust anyone. Their government had let them down, had lied to them, had given them poison to drink and said it is okay. It looked like rusty water, but they told them that it was fine to use it for baths or whatever. So I am sitting there on that stage listening to all this and I am thinking in the back of my head: I am from Newark, New Jersey, the third oldest city in this country's history. So Flint, Michigan, can't be that old because Lewis and Clark went West. So the third oldest city, what were my pipes like? What was the condition of my water system? And I went back and I saw several mayors from my district, and I said: I suggest you start looking at your water systems. And that was on a Friday. That Tuesday we got a report from the Newark school system. They found lead in the drinking water in 44 schools in Newark that next--not even a week. So we know how important these issues are, and we will continue to fight for what is right in our communities. I appreciate the opportunity and your leadership on this issue.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, add job creation and infrastructure to the list of President Trump's broken promises. After 102 days in office, the so-called ``greatest jobs President that God ever created'' has failed to present a single job or infrastructure bill. At the same time, his slash-and-burn budget would cut investments in job growth and infrastructure, imposing a $2.4 billion cut on the U.S. Department of Transportation. Included in those cuts are drastic reductions of the Federal support for Amtrak and the outright elimination of the TIGER grant program. The President's budget proposal also phases out the New Starts grant program, making critical infrastructure projects, including New Jersey and New York's Gateway Program ineligible for Federal funding needed to move forward. As I speak, New Jersey rail commuters are probably facing massive delays and disruptions to their already nightmarish commute. President Trump's proposed cuts to vital Federal infrastructure programs will only make the problem worse. It has been an ugly 102 days for President Trump, and, unless he tackles jobs and infrastructure, as promised, it is going to get uglier.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I am glad we are talking about criminals, but I want to point out one that potentially has been in the White House. He was a general. He spoke at the national convention of the Republican Party. He said, ``Lock her up.'' But when he filled out his disclosure form to work in the White House, he conveniently left out that he received money from two foreign governments. A former general who defended this Nation did not fill out that he received this money. He sat next to Vladimir Putin for dinner, but did not fill this form out properly. Mr. Speaker, we are very concerned about Mike Flynn. It is obvious that we in the House of Representatives do something to point out when we see something that is illegal going on. Mr. Speaker, what comes around goes around. He said, ``Lock her up.'' Well, it looks like he might get locked up. And that is the way it is gonna be.

Mr. PAYNE

Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1372, the Homeland Security for Children Act. Mr. Speaker, children are not tiny adults, as was stated, but too often that is how the Federal policy treats them when there is not a deliberate effort to do otherwise. The Department of Homeland Security, through its components, interacts with children regularly, and its policies have a direct impact on them. That is why I introduced H.R. 1372, the Homeland Security for Children Act. H.R. 1372 would make integrating the unique needs of children a priority at the Department of Homeland Security. The bill directs the DHS Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans to solicit and incorporate feedback from children's organizations into Department-wide policies and activities. Additionally, H.R. 1372 would formally authorize the existing children's technical expert position at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The position was established by former Administrator Fugate in response to a March 2015 recommendation by the FEMA National Advisory Council. At the time, the National Advisory Council had concluded that FEMA had made progress integrating the unique needs of children into disaster plans since Hurricane Katrina, despite the fact that it did not have a technical lead to emphasize and address children's issues. As a result, State and local governments and emergency managers were unaware of guidance related to children's needs at the State and local level, leaving children vulnerable. According to Save the Children, 80 percent of the National Commission on Children and Disasters' recommendations from 2010 still remain open. Whatever progress has been made in integrating the needs of children in disasters, it is clear there is still work left to be done. H.R. 1372 will ensure FEMA and DHS has the expertise necessary to do its part to ensure the unique needs of children are integrated into relevant activities, plans, and policies. The legislation has been endorsed by Save the Children, and former Administrator Fugate has said he supports efforts to authorize the children's needs technical expert at FEMA. Mr. Speaker, the Homeland Security for Children Act is commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable among us are adequately integrated into homeland security and disaster policies planning. I would like to just state, Mr. Speaker, that this bill has been a long time coming. I was just reminded of its importance by a program that I watched on television the other day about the tornadoes in Oklahoma, where we lost 7 children in a school building that fell. It showed the disarray in the rest of the parents being able to be reunited with their children. This is a timely bill. Before I yield back, I would like to thank Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member DeFazio for agreeing to exchange letters to expedite consideration of H.R. 1372 on the floor. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.