Deborah Ross

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, yesterday, the Rules Committee met and reported a rule, House Resolution 1191, for three measures. First, it provides for consideration of H.R. 4176 under a structured rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment, provides 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, makes in order three amendments, and provides a motion to recommit. Second, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5585 under a structured rule. The rule provides for 1 hour of general debate equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, makes in order one amendment, and provides a motion to recommit. Third, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 7666 under a structured rule. The rule self-executes a manager's amendment, provides 1 hour of general debate equally controlled by the chair and ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, makes in order 17 amendments, and provides en bloc authority and a motion to recommit. Finally, the rule extends recess instructions, suspension authority, and same-day authority through July 13, and any requested roll call votes on suspension bills considered from June 21 to June 24 may be postponed through July 15. Madam Speaker, I stand in support of the three bills in this rule: H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act; H.R. 5585, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act; and H.R. 4176, the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act. I want to start by thanking Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member McMorris Rodgers for their work crafting a bipartisan package to tackle the growing mental health crisis in our country. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a dramatic rise in global mental health illness associated with anxiety, depression, and collective grief. In my State, almost 45 percent of North Carolinians reported symptoms of anxiety or depression in February 2021, with more than 22 percent unable to get necessary care, largely because of prohibitive costs. Almost 130,000 children ages 12 through 17 in North Carolina suffer from adolescent depression. Multiply that nationwide. More than half of the children in North Carolina did not receive any care in the past year. Once they reach high school, these children are twice as likely to drop out of school as their peers. These statistics tell just part of the story of families disrupted, education delayed, and the barriers facing Americans striving to achieve their full potential and well-being. Congress has a duty to address this crisis with the same urgency with which we passed COVID-19 legislation. Today, we are doing just that with H.R. 7666, the Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act, which will provide improved access to healthcare for mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. This legislation boosts compliance with mental health parity laws, supports mental health care through telehealth, and reauthorizes key programs that fund mental health services, all deeply needed by our people. This rule also includes H.R. 5585, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act, ARPA-H. For decades, the United States has been the leader in biomedical research around the world. However, our country has recently shown signs of slowing in this sector. Promising research opportunities are put on hold due to high cost, complex coordination, long wait periods, and many other factors. My State of North Carolina became the first State in the country to have a State-supported entity dedicated to promoting growth of the life sciences industry after the creation of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in 1984. In my district of Wake County, the Research Triangle Park stands as the largest research park in North America. ARPA-H will have profound influences in North Carolina's economy and the national economy and stimulate the development of breakthroughs in health research that will benefit millions of Americans. H.R. 5585 will authorize $500 million each year for the next 5 years to support ARPA-H and fund groundbreaking research and development to continue saving American lives. Finally, this rule includes H.R. 4176, the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act. Most legislators agree that good policy should be evidence-based. Our Government collects demographic data to ensure we can identify whether certain groups of Americans are facing obstacles to the equal opportunities they need to thrive. However, Federal agencies are not currently required to collect demographic data on sexual orientation and gender identity. We need this data to know how to address issues faced by the LGBTQI+ people and combat discrimination. In 2019, UCLA found that nearly one in four LGBTQ adults in the South, including in my State of North Carolina, live in poverty, a rate higher than the overall poverty rate in the United States. LGBTQI+ youth, in particular, face high levels of homelessness and are at greater risk of depression and suicidal thoughts than their peers. With good data, we can implement good programs aimed at eliminating these disparities and help members of this community reach their full potential. As Cathy Renna of the National LGBTQ Task Force says, ``If we don't get counted, we don't count.'' This community is asking to be counted. Our Nation has already gone through the poor policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We now have a responsibility to reverse the effects of this policy to help members of the LGBTQI+ community live as their authentic selves. We can do that by allowing individuals to voluntarily disclose their sexual orientation and gender identities. In other words, by asking and letting them decide to tell. Madam Speaker, I urge support for the rule and the three bills it contains, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a June 11, 2021, CNN Business article entitled ``LGBTQ+ Americans aren't fully counted by the government. That's a big problem.'' [From CNN Business, June, 11, 2021] LGBTQ+ Americans Aren't Fully Counted by the Government. That's a Big Problem (By Anneken Tappe and Alicia Wallace) Government data help policymakers find and fix problems for people in need. But that's tricky if some groups aren't represented in the stats. This is the case for the LGBTQ+ community, and it's a huge problem. Here's an example: The government's monthly jobs report shows how many men and women, Black, White, Asian and Hispanic workers are unemployed. The stats lay bare a lot of inequities, but there are no comparable federal data on LGBTQ+ workers. ``We are invisible in federal statistics, when it comes to some policymakers,'' said Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). Put more bluntly: ``If we don't get counted, we don't count,'' said Cathy Renna, communications director at the National LGBTQ Task Force. Official stats, including the Census, are used to decide how federal funds are distributed--to the tune of $1.5 trillion. But data gaps in the jobs reports, health surveys and the decennial Census affect millions of people: 5.6 percent of US adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, according to a Gallup survey published in February. Official data are needed ``to ensure that LGBT people are included in efforts to reduce unemployment through increased labor force participation, as well as to monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions,'' researchers at the UCLA School of Law's Williams Institute wrote earlier this year in support of adding LGBTQ+ questions to the Current Population Survey, which helps create the jobs report. Recent research has found higher rates of poverty, unemployment, health disparities, and workplace discrimination among LGBTQ+ adults, according to the Williams Institute. The negative outcomes were even greater among transgender individuals and LGBTQ+ people of color. Examples of how data can change outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community include the establishment of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ youth, school training services and ongoing research after former Governor William Weld sought to respond to an increase in LGBTQ+ youth suicides; the improvement of individuals' medical care following research asking patients about their sexual orientation and gender identity; and the creation of equity programs within the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services following a study that showed LGBTQ+ youth were overrepresented in the youth foster system and experienced harsher treatment. Although independent research from the Williams Institute and established pollsters such Gallup have provided some data about the community, that research just doesn't carry the same weight as government stats in leading to funding of direct services and addressing the needs of people in the queer community, Renna said. Across government agencies, academics and the LGTBQ+ community itself, people have expressed a desire to better understand the needs of that population. The government is doing research to figure out how to best ask about sexual orientation and gender identity. But the business of big, robust data sets is complicated. Government statistics are pretty sophisticated and the methodology behind surveys goes through a lot of prodding. But when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community, government institutions haven't done enough research yet to make broader improvements to the data. The worry is that reporting errors on questions surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity may lead to much bigger errors in the eventual data. ``Questions for relatively small populations must be formulated especially carefully; if they are not, even relatively small sampling or reporting errors can lead to large errors in estimates,'' the US Bureau of Labor Statistics told CNN Business in an email. The questions the Census Bureau asks also have to go through an established process to review wording and effectiveness. Ultimately the Office of Management and Budget approves any new questions. When the government surveys households, for example to learn about America's employment situation, one person answers questions for other members of their household. That can make it harder to get accurate data on members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially if a person hasn't come out to their family, or if the survey respondent is uncomfortable talking about another household member's sexual orientation or gender identity. ``Not everyone's out,'' Renna added. ``Some of us live in places where you can be fired if you come out.'' The NGLCC, which leans heavily on community-driven surveys and private sector research, has yet to meet with the Census and BLS on inclusive data-gathering efforts, Nelson said. But he said he is optimistic about the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to broaden the scope of its data collection. President Joe Biden last week, in officially recognizing June as Pride Month, urged Congress to pass the Equality Act to ensure civil rights protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families. ``We are a strong part of the economic fabric . . . not just in Pride Month,'' Nelson said. ``We need to get inclusive on data collection immediately, because the sooner we can normalize that data collection, the less opportunity there is for erasing it.'' The people behind government surveys are doing research to move toward a world in which official data are more inclusive. Figuring out how to best ask about things as personal as sexual orientation and gender identity is at the forefront of that research. The willingness and ability to answer questions about sexual orientation and gender of other people is just as critical, the Census Bureau told CNN Business. The last BLS research paper on the topic is from 2017. While it's feasible for the government to ask these questions, the paper recommends more in-depth analysis. ``The reality is that it's very chicken and egg,'' Renna said. ``If you don't have the data, you can't understand the community. If you don't ask the community questions, you don't have the data.'' Some government surveys already collect information on gender identity and sexual orientation, including the National Health Interview Survey, the National Crime Victimization Survey and the National Survey of Children's Health. Last year, the 2020 Census made history by including same- sex marriage and same-sex unmarried partners as options on its survey. The Bureau of Labor Statistics--which uses surveys to compile the government's monthly jobs report-- began including same-sex married couples in its tally of married workers in January last year. Considering that only 20 percent LGBTQ+ people live in same-sex married households, these surveys leave out the vast majority of the community, said Kerith Conran, the Blachford- Cooper research director and distinguished scholar at the Williams Institute. And there is a greater dearth of data especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ youth, transgender people and gender identity, she added. Earlier this year, Conran and her colleagues highlighted those and other inequities in a public comment urging the US Census Bureau and BLS to add sexual orientation, gender identity and sex assigned at birth questions to the Current Population Survey. ``There are ongoing health and economic inequities that aren't going to go away unless people start paying attention to them,'' she said in an interview with CNN Business. Data on sexual orientation and gender identity aren't collected consistently across states--for example, only 30 states included the SOGI module in a US Centers for Disease Control-backed behavioral risk survey in 2019. This creates big gaps in the data, particularly in regions such as the South and Midwest, Conran added. ``Those are the places where non-discrimination protections and social acceptance are also lacking,'' she said. ``In the places where people probably have worse conditions, [there are] less data available to see what's going on for people.''

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution H. Res. 1191 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, a group of 156 organizations committed to advancing equality and opportunity for the LGBTQI+ community, including the YWCA, wrote to Congress in support of H.R. 4176. They said in their letter: ``Collecting this information in federally supported surveys, such as the Current Population Survey and the National Health Interview Survey, is essential to improving the well- being of LGBTQI+ populations across key areas of life. For example, although data are limited, research indicates that LGBTQI+ communities experience disparities across multiple domains of life compared to non- LGBTQI+ populations.'' This inclusive data ``is a crucial tool to better identify and address these disparities and to promote more equitable outcomes and opportunities for LGBTQI+ communities.'' Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the letter signed by the 156 organizations. June 14, 2022. Hon. Carolyn Maloney, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Washington, DC. Hon. Raul Grijalva, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairwoman Maloney and Congressman Grijalva: As a group of 156 organizations committed to advancing equality and opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other sexual and gender diverse (LGBTQI+) people in the United States, we are writing to voice our enthusiastic support for the amendment in the nature of a substitute and passage of the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act (H.R. 4176). The LGBTQ Data Inclusion Act, as introduced, would facilitate the collection of voluntary, self-disclosed demographic data on sexual orientation and gender identity across federal surveys. The amendment in the nature of a substitute would add variations in sex characteristics (also known as intersex traits) to the data voluntarily collected, and would accordingly change the bill title to the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act. Collecting this information in federally supported surveys (such as the Current Population Survey and National Health Interview Survey) is essential to improving the well-being of LGBTQI+ populations across key areas of life. For example, although data are limited, research indicates that LGBTQI+ communities experience disparities across multiple domains of life compared to non-LGBTQI+ populations. This includes evidence of higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and economic instability experiences of homelessness and housing insecurity; worse mental and physical health outcomes; heightened barriers to access adequate health care, and widespread experiences of discrimination. Due to the intersecting forces of racism, xenophobia, ableism, ageism, and transphobia, for LGBTQI+ communities of color, LGBTQI+ people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ older adults, and transgender people, these disparities are often even more pronounced. LGBTQI+-inclusive data collection is a critical tool to better identify and address these disparities and to promote more equitable outcomes and opportunities for LGBTQI+ communities. Currently, most surveys fielded by the federal government not collect data on sexual orientation, gender identity, or variations in sex characteristics. For example, although some surveys, such as the decennial census and American Community Survey, ask questions that allow for the identification of cohabitating same-sex couples, it is estimated that only 1 in 6 LGBTQ individuals are captured by those kinds of questions. Although progress has been made in recent years, the overall lack of routine data collection on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics poses a significant obstacle for policymakers, researchers, service providers, and advocates dedicated to improving the wellbeing of LGBTQI+ communities, especially those living at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. The federal government collects survey data on a wide range of subjects and populations and is uniquely positioned to engage in LGBTQI+-inclusive data collection to generate accurate, consistent, and representative data at a scale that allows for the disaggregation necessary to describe the diversity of LGBTQI+ communities. As demonstrated in the recent consensus report by the National Academies, questions about sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics can and should be added to federally supported surveys. By doing so, federal agencies can take meaningful steps to fulfill the Biden-Harris administration's priorities to promote equity for LGBTQI+ and other underserved communities through various actions, including but not limited to expanding data collection efforts. Passage of this bill is essential to better understand the experiences of LGBTQI+ communities, generate policy solutions that are inclusive of LGBTQI+ people and their needs, and to evaluate the effectiveness of those policies to reduce disparities and advance equity. Again, we strongly support the amendment in the nature of a substitute for the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act (H.R. 4176) and urge Congress to quickly take up and adopt this important proposal. Thank you for your consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact Caroline Medina and Madeline Shepherd with any questions. Signed in partnership, 1Hood Power, A Better Balance, Ace and Aro Alliance of Central Ohio, Advocates for Youth, AGE of Central Texas, AIDS Action Baltimore, AIDS Alabama South, AIDS Foundation Chicago, allgo, American Academy of HIV Medicine, American Psychological Association, American Public Health Association, American Trans Resource Hub, Amida Care, APLA Health, Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization, Athlete Ally, Atlanta Pride Committee, Austin LGBT Coalition on Aging, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Believe Out Loud, BiNet USA, Brooklyn Community Pride Center, Inc., Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ, Center for American Progress, Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Center for Black Equity, Center for Disability Rights, Center for Economic and Policy Research, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). Center for Reproductive Rights, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, Colors+, Compton's Table, Corktown Health, Council for Global Equality, CrescentCare, Damien Center, DBGM, Inc., Dolan Research International, LLC, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Engel O'Neil Advertising & Public Relations, Equality California, Equality Illinois, Equitas Health, Erie County Dems LGBTQIA+ Caucus Erie Gay News, Family Eldercare, Family Equality, Family Values @ Work, Fenway Health, Freedom for All Americans, Gay Elder Circle, Georgia Equality, GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality, GLSEN, GLSEN New Mexico, Health Equity Alliance for LGBTQ+ New Mexicans, HealthHIV, Hetrick-Martin Institute, Hispanic Federation, HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute, HIV Medicine Association, Howard Brown Health, Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation, Human Rights Campaign, interACT: Advocates for Intersex Youth, Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. John Snow, Inc., Justice in Aging, Kachemak bay Family Planning, Lancaster LGBTQ+ Coalition, Lawrence, Lee McAvoy, LMHC, Let's Kick ASS AIDS Survivor Syndrome, LGBTQ Center OC, LGBTQ Community Center of Southern Nevada, LGBTQ Victory Institute, LGBTQ+ & Equity Consulting, LLC, LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay, Los Angeles LGBT Center, Lyon-Martin Community Health Services, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, Methodist Federation for Social Action, Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health (MOASH), Minority Veterans of America, Movement Advancement Project, Naper Pride, NASTAD, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association, National LGBT Cancer Network, National LGBTQ Task Force, National LGBTQ+ Bar Association, National Organization for Women, National Women's Law Center, National Working Positive Coalition. New York Transgender Advocacy Group, North Carolina AIDS Action Network, NW PA Pride Alliance, Inc., one-n-ten, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, one-n-ten, Out To Innovate, Out Youth, OutCenter Southwest Michigan, OutNebraska, Outright Vermont, PFLAG National, PGH Equality Center, Philanthrofund Foundation, Positive Women's Network-USA, PowerOn, a program of LGBT Technology Institute, PrEP4All, Prevention Access Campaign, Pride at Work, Pride Center of New Jersey, Prism United, Project Weber/RENEW, Resource Center, Roots of Change, SAGE, SAGE Metro Detroit, San Diego Pride, SF LGBT Center, SIECUS, Silver State Equality-Nevada, Still Bisexual, The AIDS Institute, The Center on Colfax, Denver, CO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The LGBT Center of Greater Reading, the Montrose Center, The Source LGBT+ Center, The Trevor Project, The Well Project, Thriving Mental Health Counseling NY PLLC, Trans Maryland, Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, Transhealth Northampton, Treatment Action Group, U.S. People Living with HIV Caucus, Umoja Behavioral Health PC, Union for Reform Judaism, University of Nevada Las Vegas, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, Vivent Health, Waves Ahead Corp, We Are Family, Whitman-Walker Institute, Woodhull Freedom Foundation, YWCA USA.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I ask the gentleman if he is prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, the three bills in this rule have the potential to transform the health and opportunities of millions of Americans. The Restoring Hope for Mental Health and Well-Being Act reauthorizes and establishes 35 critical programs that provide access to mental health care and substance use disorder treatment across the country. Recognizing the benefits of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, this bill promotes behavioral health integration into primary care through increased access to telehealth as part of the pediatric mental health care access grant program reauthorization. The bill also requires self-funded, non-Federal governmental healthcare plans to comply with mental health parity laws. Mental health care is healthcare, and it is time we treat it as such. The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health Act will jump-start our Nation's investment in medical research and innovation. I am privileged to represent part of North Carolina's Research Triangle Park and see the breakthroughs that happen there. By establishing and funding ARPA- H, we ensure that research like this will continue, that more people will be able to access groundbreaking treatments and cures, and that our Nation remains a leader in medical innovation. The LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act will equip our government agencies with the data they need to reduce barriers and challenges facing this community. Good data helps us make good policy. Without data, we are forced to legislate blindly and guess at solutions to close disparities. Madam Speaker, I note that the LGBTQI+ Data Inclusion Act does not mandate that anyone disclose information about their gender identity or sexual orientation. Under this bill, individuals choose whether to share that information or not. This bill, which we take up during Pride Month, will help us ensure the LGBTQI+ community is represented in policies aimed at closing disparities and helping underserved groups. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the rule and the previous question.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question on the resolution.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise today because there is no greater moral imperative for us as Representatives than protecting the safety of our children and our residents. In recent weeks, our Nation has been yet again shaken to its core by the senseless attack on our most vulnerable. Heartbreakingly, mass shootings have become a steady drumbeat in American life, striking community after community, and instilling fear in the American people as we drop our kids off at school, go to the grocery store, or enter a house of worship. Madam Speaker, after each of these terrifying events, after the vigils have been held and the new cycle has moved on, there is one thing that never fades. Every person who has had a friend, neighbor, spouse, or child taken by violence, carries with them the heartbreaking pain of that incomprehensible loss. So what will it take for Republican leaders to join us in taking action? So many Republicans agree with us. How many kids need to die? How many families need to suffer before they finally say enough is enough? I have spent much of my public life in public service, and I believe in American democracy. And I still believe in the ability of men and women in this Chamber to set their differences aside, to make transformative change for the public good. Madam Speaker, my plea to my colleagues across the aisle is to stand up for what is right. Let's start the hard work of building a safer America. I come from a southern State with plenty of law-abiding gun owners, but people from across North Carolina have been reaching out to me and my office, including several Republicans and gun owners. Madam Speaker, I support the rule and commend it to this body.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, this week 51 Senators voted to allow the Supreme Court to strip women of their fundamental right to abortion healthcare. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, abortion access will be left in the hands of State legislatures dead set on turning the clock backward 50 years. We have already seen what Republicans are capable of when it comes to women's personal liberties, and now I fear women in my home State of North Carolina could face a similar fate. All that stands between us, and an egregious abortion ban is Governor Roy Cooper and enough of his allies in the legislature. Despite this threat, I am still hopeful because I believe that the women of North Carolina will make their voices heard. We are ready to fight for our freedom and liberty. Women deserve to have their decisions protected and respected.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight the urgent need for additional relief for our restaurants. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, restaurants in my district and across the country have been at the front line of our battle against COVID-19. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund offered a vital lifeline at a time when restaurants desperately needed our help. However, the funds quickly ran out, leaving hundreds of thousands of restaurants without any relief, including in my State of North Carolina. In a cruel twist, many restaurants were approved for funding, but never saw a dime. For example, Kim Hammer, who owns Bittersweet in Raleigh, was approved for a grant by the Small Business Association. Despite this, Kim still hasn't received any relief and said, ``It feels like no one is listening.'' Well, we are listening. Every time a new variant emerges and cases surge, the survival of countless restaurants is thrown into jeopardy. As I hear from restaurant owners in my district, they all tell me how essential the restaurant relief program was; but that it simply was not enough. During the peak surge of the Omicron variant, Cheetie Kumar, the owner of Garland restaurant in Raleigh, said she just hoped she could keep the doors open for both her customers and for her staff. Jennifer Cramer, the owner of Catalan Taps restaurant in Cary, had to start a GoFundMe campaign to keep her lights on and her employees on payroll. Mr. Speaker, our fight against this pandemic is not over. It is unacceptable that we would leave the restaurant industry out to dry. Restaurants contribute to the spirit, vibrancy, and success of my community in Wake County, North Carolina, and many communities all across this Nation. I urge my colleagues to support the rule and the underlying legislation and replenish this fund.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great admiration for the strength and grace that Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson has demonstrated throughout her nomination process for the United States Supreme Court. Last week, people from all over the world watched as she embarked on a journey that only five other women in history have taken. For too long, our judicial system and our government have not reflected the great talent and diversity of our Nation. Like so many young women, especially our mothers and grandmothers, I had very few female examples to emulate at the beginning of my legal career. When I was at a pivotal age in high school, trying to decide exactly what path to take and what was even possible to achieve, I got to watch the nomination process for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. She was the first woman ever nominated to our Nation's highest Court, and I was deeply moved by her poise and intelligence under questioning from the much older male Senators. Her confirmation solidified in me a passion for the law and a belief that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. I then went on to become a student of the Constitution myself, attending law school, practicing constitutional law, arguing in court, and fighting for justice as an attorney, a State legislator, and now as a proud member of the Judiciary Committee in the United States House of Representatives. The world has completely transformed since I watched that confirmation hearing in 1981, yet, since that time, only four other women have joined our Nation's highest Court. Each of these Justices brought a unique perspective and inspired young women across the country. Because of the small number of women who have been appointed, every time a woman is up for the bench, it is necessarily historic. I am ready for it to be less historic. Although 51 percent of our population is female, of the 115 Justices in American history, 110 of them have been men. And none of them, not one, has been an African-American woman. Mr. Speaker, that needs to change at a faster rate. Justice Ginsburg was once asked when there will be enough women on the Court. She responded, ``When there are nine.'' If confirmed, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the next, and the first African-American woman. I would like to say ``when confirmed.'' Her nomination marks a momentous step forward in the long struggle for a judicial system that truly represents every American and delivers justice, fairness, and equality for all. I can relate to all the young women out there watching this nomination process, feeling inspired to follow in her footsteps. Don't be deterred or dismayed by the disrespect that she was shown by a handful of Senators. My message to the young women is: You can do this. No matter the challenges or the obstacles, you can achieve your dreams. Judge Brown Jackson said last week that her nomination is truly a testament to the hope and the promise of this country. She continues to give us new hope, especially to young women lawyers, and her rise to the highest Court of the land holds out the promise of a brighter future for our country. Mr. Speaker, Judge Brown Jackson is an exceptional, extremely qualified nominee, and I look forward to calling her Justice Brown Jackson.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary achievements of the NC State women's basketball team, who won their third straight ACC championship this year. On Monday night, the entire Wolfpack community watched an incredible game as the women played their hearts out against UConn. Our players fought until the very end, coming back in the second half after trailing by double digits, scoring a 3 pointer that sent them into double overtime. It was no easy feat, playing UConn in their own territory, and NC State never gave up. Too often, women athletes don't get the attention they deserve. The team was an example to all female athletes and all boys and girls seeking to play at the collegiate level. Congratulations to the Wolfpack on a fantastic season.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge support for my amendment, along with my colleague from North Carolina, Representative Rouzer. This amendment will require the Department of Defense to study additional non-fire extinguishing agent sources of toxic PFAS, known as forever chemicals on military installations. Our amendment also requires the Department of Defense to make a recommendation to Congress on expanding the eligibility for the VA's registry of individuals exposed to PFAS during their service. While fire extinguishing agents are a common source of servicemember exposure to forever chemicals, as the Speaker knows, PFAS toxins are ever present on military bases from other sources. Studies have shown that these dangerous toxicants are ubiquitous in the kinds of ready-made meal packages, textiles, and cookware used on military installations. Use of these products has exposed servicemembers and veterans to PFAS, which have been proven to cause cancer, liver damage, birth defects, and other troubling medical conditions. We must ensure that we fully understand the scope of PFAS exposure on military bases and expand our parameters for veteran eligibility for medical care accordingly. Doing so will give veterans exposed to these toxins the opportunity to receive care for the conditions they develop as a result of their service in uniform. This amendment not only empowers and protects veterans, but it solicits a critically important study from the DOD to better understand the presence of PFAS on military installations and prevent exposure in the future. In alignment with the mission of the Honoring our PACT Act, this amendment upholds our responsibility to prevent and mitigate the health consequences of exposure to toxic substances. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Takano for his outstanding leadership in bringing this important legislation to the floor. I also thank Representative Rouzer from North Carolina for joining me in offering this amendment. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano), the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, this amendment will help us understand additional sources of PFAS exposure on military bases and empower veterans to seek medical care accordingly. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment along with Representative Rouzer and the underlying bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, Russia's assault on Ukrainian freedom and democracy is an assault on freedom and democracy everywhere. That is why America and our allies are linking arms and engaging in unprecedented cooperation. President Biden has marshalled the world to impose severe consequences on Putin and the Russian economy. Because of these crippling sanctions, Russia now stands at the precipice of a punishing financial crisis. American troops, many from Fort Bragg and elsewhere in North Carolina, are already in NATO countries in Eastern Europe, and more are on their way. The international community is also sending support to countries neighboring Ukraine, including North Carolina's close partner, Moldova. As we continue to work on a robust new aid package, the prayers and admiration of the people of my district are with the brave Ukrainian freedom fighters risking their lives to defend their homeland.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, today, thousands of veterans struggle with the health effects of exposure to hazardous substances during their training or deployment. Congress has an obligation to provide these men and women with the resources, including healthcare services, they need to live with dignity. The Honoring our PACT Act fulfills this duty by streamlining VA processes to receive care for toxic exposure-related illnesses, reducing the burden on all veterans. It also takes preemptive measures to ensure that the VA conducts research to track and identify emerging toxins. This will ensure that we are proactive in our efforts to safeguard the health of future veterans. I am particularly pleased that this bill includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which gives our servicemembers the opportunity to seek compensation for exposure to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. For decades, marines and their families stationed at this base unknowingly consumed, bathed in, and used water containing harmful chemicals and industrial solvents. As a result of their service, many veterans and their family members now suffer from serious medical conditions, including cancer and birth defects. For years, North Carolina law prevented these individuals from seeking relief in court. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act rights this wrong, bringing long overdue justice to affected veterans. The Honoring our PACT Act also creates a registry of veterans exposed to PFAS, or forever chemicals, from use of fire extinguishing agents in military installations. I proposed an amendment to this section with my colleague from North Carolina, Representative Rouzer, which will require the Department of Defense to study additional sources of PFAS exposure on military bases and make recommendations to expand eligibility for toxic exposure benefits accordingly. I am grateful that this amendment was made in order. We owe our Nation's veterans an immeasurable debt for putting their lives on the line to defend our freedom. Mr. Speaker, I commend the rule and the underlying bill.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and career of Dr. Dudley Flood, a recipient of North Carolina's highest civilian award, The North Carolina Award for Public Service, for his trailblazing leadership in desegregating our state's public schools. Born in Winton, North Carolina and a graduate of North Carolina Central University, Dr. Flood began his career as an educator teaching grade school and eventually became a principal. Following his teaching tenure, Dr. Flood joined the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where he made a significant impact during his 21 years of dedicated service. In the years following the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, Dr. Flood and the late Gene Causby were tasked with facilitating the desegregation of schools in all 100 counties of North Carolina. In 1969, Dr. Flood and Mr. Causby began to travel across the state to help desegregate North Carolina school systems. Beyond the assistance they provided in navigating this challenging process, it was the visual of these two men--one black, one white--working closely together that made a powerful impression on teachers and students alike. Through his honorable work, Dr. Flood became a state hero and North Carolina became a model for school desegregation. By working to ensure that North Carolina is a place where all students can learn irrespective of race, Dr. Flood helped to bring together starkly divided communities and effectively ushered in a new era for public education in our state. Dr. Flood retired from public instruction in 1990. Since then, he has served as Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, taught as a visiting professor at multiple North Carolina colleges and universities, and continued to be an active community member. Now 90 years old, Dr. Flood has led an incredible career as a champion for equitable education. Today his achievements can be seen in schools statewide, as children of all races are able to learn and play together and support each other's academic success. As we begin celebrating Black History Month, I am honored to share his extraordinary legacy with this body. He enhanced the lives of hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians through his many achievements. The people of our state are forever grateful for the remarkable life and lasting legacy of Dr. Flood.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding, and especially thank our colleague, Cheri Bustos, for bringing this important legislation to us. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4445, the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act. In 2017, our country experienced a dramatic and needed shift. Women in a variety of industries responded to news of allegations against powerful men with the hashtag #MeToo, banding together in solidarity to expose predatory behavior that has been overlooked and excused for generations. But some women are still not able to speak out against their abusers because forced arbitration agreements prevent them from doing so. Last year, the House Committee on the Judiciary heard testimony from women from a variety of backgrounds and political parties, who have suffered the dual injustices of sexual abuse and forced silence through arbitration. Their stories illuminate how forced arbitration agreements are too often used to protect assailants and their companies at the expense of working women. It is past time for Congress to enable these women to reclaim their voices and take control over their own lives. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4445.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and career of Dr. Dudley Flood, a recipient of North Carolina's highest civilian award, the North Carolina Award for Public Service, for his trailblazing leadership in desegregating our State's public schools. Born in Winton, North Carolina, and a graduate of North Carolina's Central University, Dr. Flood began his career as an educator teaching grade school and eventually becoming a principal. Following his teaching tenure, Dr. Flood joined the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where he made a significant impact during his 21 years of dedicated service. In the years following the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, Dr. Flood and the late Gene Causby were tasked with facilitating the desegregation of schools in all 100 counties in North Carolina. In 1969, Dr. Flood and Mr. Causby began to travel across the State to help desegregate North Carolina school systems. Beyond the assistance they provided in navigating this challenging process, it was the visual of these two men--one Black and one White--working closely together that made a powerful impression on teachers and students alike. Through his honorable work, Dr. Flood became a State hero and North Carolina became a model for school desegregation. By working to ensure that North Carolina is a place where all students can learn, irrespective of race, Dr. Flood helped bring together starkly divided communities and effectively ushered in a new era for public education in our State. Dr. Flood retired from public instruction in 1990. Since then, he has served as executive director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators, taught as a visiting professor at multiple North Carolina colleges and universities, and continued to be active in his community, including with the Flood Group, a group of people who meet from across the State. Now, 90 years old, Dr. Flood has led an incredible career as a champion for equitable education. Today, his achievements can be seen in schools statewide as children of all races are able to learn and play together and support each other's academic success. As we begin celebrating Black History Month, I am honored to share his extraordinary legacy with this body. He enhanced the lives of hundreds of thousands North Carolinians through his example and his achievements. The people of our State are forever grateful for his remarkable life and lasting legacy.

Ms. ROSS

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, by direction of the Committee on Rules, I call up House Resolution 900 and ask for its immediate consideration.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, for the purpose of debate only, I yield the customary 30 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach), pending which I yield myself such time as I may consume. During consideration of this resolution, all time yielded is for the purpose of debate only. Madam Speaker, in a moment I will ask to amend the rule to make a technical correction regarding en bloc debate time. Amendment Offered By Ms. Ross

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to amend the pending resolution with an amendment that I have placed at the desk.

Ms. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members be given 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks.