Luz Rivas

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, may I ask how much time I have remaining.

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues who participated in this Special Order hour on the ACA tax credits. The Affordable Care Act tax credits are why our country has a record-high number of insured people. Like many of my colleagues who today shared stories of their constituents and how this will impact them and their daily lives, I also have heard many stories from my own constituents. This includes Angel from San Fernando. Angel's husband is self-employed, and she works part time. Because of the ACA, they can have reliable healthcare that covers her husband's preexisting conditions. Angel is dreading the update that will make healthcare more costly. They will have to make it work, but it will come at an extreme hardship. Angel and her husband are two of the over 31,000 people in my district who will see their healthcare costs rise if the ACA tax credits are not extended. Another constituent from North Hollywood said that their costs will more than double. They write: ``My husband and I are already scraping by, living paycheck to paycheck each month. Rent and groceries are both harder to pay for. I also have two kids who are on Medi-Cal.'' Families of four like this woman's will be forced to pay over $6,000 more this year if the ACA tax credits are not extended. Mr. Speaker, I am sure Congresswoman Randall has heard hundreds of stories from her constituents, too, and would like to share some with us. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington for the purpose of a colloquy.

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Randall for sharing those stories. We are hearing these stories from all over the country, not just blue States, but also red States, everywhere. The Affordable Care Act tax credits keep healthcare affordable for all Americans. If the Senate does not act immediately, constituents like Stephen from Van Nuys will bear that burden. Stephen and his wife are both independent contractors who pay for their own health insurance. In 2026, they are facing a monthly increase of over $1,000 a month each. This is absolutely unacceptable in the United States. Before I close, I thank Congresswoman Randall for joining me for tonight's discussion and would like to yield to her for any closing remarks she may have.

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Randall and thanks again to my other colleagues who spoke tonight. Today's vote will help keep healthcare affordable for millions of Americans, but our work isn't done. The Senate needs to pass this bill immediately, and then we need to get back to work on progressive and equitable solutions that leave no family behind. Families are still facing high costs for housing, childcare, groceries, and other everyday necessities. House Democrats and the Congressional Progressive Caucus will continue to stand with the American people to protect their healthcare against Republicans' attacks and keep the American Dream attainable for all. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sister Mary Jesus Ochoa of the Order of St. Francis in San Fernando. This week, she celebrated her 100th birthday. Sister Mary Jesus is a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who entered religious life in the 1940s. She has spent decades supporting our most vulnerable across the San Fernando Valley and in Mexico. During her service, she worked with children and families in need, emphasizing care, stability, and long-term support. Sister Mary Jesus played a key leadership role at the Poverello of Assisi Retreat House in San Fernando. There, she helped provide retreat services, community support, and housing for young women and children. When earthquakes caused major damage to the retreat house and the surrounding buildings, Sister Mary Jesus led the rebuilding efforts to make sure that services were not interrupted for those who need it the most. Sister Mary Jesus' work reflects steady leadership, resilience in times of crisis, and a clear commitment to serving others with dignity and purpose. I wish Sister Mary Jesus a happy 100th birthday. The San Fernando Valley is grateful for her dedication to helping our community. Funding to Rebuild After Wildfires

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, here we are in the first voting week of 2026, and Republicans are bringing up bills on showerheads. They are not doing anything to address the affordability crisis, ICE terrorizing our communities, Trump's illegal and unconstitutional actions in Venezuela, or other states of emergency. They have not done so during this Congress, even during the Los Angeles wildfires, which broke out 1 year ago today. These fires destroyed 16,000 structures, displaced over 200,000 residents, and took 31 lives. The bravery of firefighters from across the country, who worked tirelessly to put out the fires and minimize damage, will not be forgotten. While the fires caused great destruction and devastation, the strength and resilience of our neighbors coming together for our communities were on full display. Mr. Speaker, 1 year later, communities across Los Angeles County are continuing to work toward rebuilding their lives and livelihoods. As communities work toward a return to normal times, we need to minimize the long-term health consequences that wildfire debris may have on communities, especially in communities like mine in the San Fernando Valley. My district is housing several disposal sites for wildfire debris. As debris is being transported and stored throughout the valley, I have been adamant about making sure that my constituents are not subjected to the long-term health effects that they have traditionally been forced to bear. Recovery from these wildfires asks us to look ahead to make sure that when natural disasters strike, everyone can be prepared to recover equally. This is a core tenet of environmental justice. We must invest in resources that allow communities and families to recover and rebuild their lives after disasters. This includes advocating for solutions that are informed by the voices of those who are most affected by climate disasters. Los Angeles has made progress in recovery, but we still have a long way to go. This is why my California Democratic Caucus colleagues and I are urging the Trump administration to deliver nearly $34 billion in disaster funding to help Californians recover. This includes funding that supports rebuilding homes and schools, restoring critical road and water systems, reopening small businesses, and helping communities achieve lasting wildfire resilience. Mr. Speaker, I will continue to push to make sure that residents in my district and across Los Angeles County have every Federal resource available to them to rebuild their lives. Let us continue to rebuild with equity, care, and courage so that our communities are safer, healthier, and more resilient for everyone.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding to me. Republicans have been in the majority and in control for this whole year, yet they have not put forward a bill that helps working families with the rising cost of living or to prevent hardworking Americans' healthcare premiums from skyrocketing in price. Republicans drove the country into a healthcare crisis, and they continue to have no pathway to get us out of it. With healthcare premiums set to skyrocket at the end of December, Republicans' solution is an unserious proposal that kicks millions of Americans off their coverage, puts healthcare out of reach, and takes away women's freedom to make their own healthcare decisions. Under Republicans' concept of a healthcare plan, working Americans will be forced to make tough decisions, such as if they should take their child to the doctor or buy groceries for the week. Republicans' concept of a healthcare plan means bankruptcy will be one medical emergency away for millions of Americans. If Republicans were serious about helping their constituents and addressing the healthcare crisis that they manufactured with the big, ugly bill, they would join Democrats and vote to extend the ACA tax credits for 3 years. We only need one more Republican to sign, one more to help American families afford healthcare. I will vote ``no'' on this rule and the underlying bill to protect my over 31,000 constituents who rely on these ACA tax credits to make their healthcare affordable. I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding. Mr. Speaker, the bill we are debating today is a bad bill. It is a bad bill that will harm vulnerable children, do nothing to fix our immigration system, and embolden Trump to continue wreaking havoc in our communities. Republicans are exploiting a tragedy to push forth a bill that undermines and strips away critical rights and protections for vulnerable children. H.R. 4371 treats immigrant children like criminals and prevents unaccompanied minors from being reunited with their families. It even subjects children as young as 12 to strip searches. These are kids who are escaping unspeakable horrors and traumas in search for a better life in our country. We should be helping them with food, shelter, and resources to thrive, not subjecting them to more trauma, cruelty, and abuse. As we have seen, this administration cannot be trusted to care for our most vulnerable. Yet Republicans want to grant the administration more power to continue enacting its cruelty anti-immigrant agenda across the country. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4371 goes against our core values as a country, and I urge all my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, for months I have been sharing the story of Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, a constituent of mine who is a senior in high school. He was detained by ICE in August while walking his dog. In the span of 24 hours, ICE shuffled Benjamin between detention centers and across State lines without his family knowing. I visited Benjamin at the Adelanto Detention Center and observed a recent court hearing of his, and my team has been working with his family on this case throughout the ordeal. Today, I am excited and relieved to report that after months of living through a nightmare, Benjamin is home. My heart goes out to his family, especially his mother, who can hold her son again after months of fear and uncertainty at the hands of ICE. No family should ever have to live through this. I will continue showing up to detention facilities to hold ICE and this administration accountable for the terror that they are forcing families to live through each day. Mr. Speaker, I am glad that Benjamin is home, and I hope he and his family can begin the healing process. Welcome home, Benjamin.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and Congresswoman Ramirez for organizing today's important conversation on the Trump administration's cruel and inhumane treatment of immigrant communities. This is an important discussion to have in front of the American people because, as they have seen, ICE is out of control. All summer, ICE has been terrorizing communities across Los Angeles, sowing fear in our families, and rounding up our most vulnerable. I have been sharing the story of Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, a senior at Reseda High School who was detained by ICE while walking his dog. He is an older brother, a loving son, and a valued member of the community. He is a high school student, just a kid. Benjamin should be in a classroom, not a courtroom. Benjamin was detained by ICE, separated from his family and friends. He was originally transferred from the Adelanto Detention Facility in California to a detention center in Arizona. Less than 24 hours later, he was on a plane ready to be sent to Louisiana, but instead, he was sent back to California. This all occurred without his family even knowing. I keep sharing this story because the American people deserve to see how cruelly ICE is treating children, elderly women, and others, even a U.S. Senator. ICE is incapable of treating our most vulnerable with the respect that they deserve. If this was happening to Benjamin, imagine who else it is happening to. I have been urging ICE leadership to answer for their chaotic, inconsistent, and cruel decisionmaking processes that have torn apart families across the country. This is why I introduced the INFORM Act. My bill holds ICE accountable for the nightmare they are forcing families like Benjamin's to live through. Many immigrant families in my district do not know the whereabouts of their loved ones after they are detained by ICE. My bill respects the dignity of immigrant families and promotes government transparency. With my Hispanic Caucus and Progressive Caucus colleagues, I will continue showing up to detention facilities and working with my colleagues to hold ICE accountable, promote government transparency, and respect the dignity of immigrant families.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, we are at a unique moment in our history. A technology straight out of science fiction is now becoming an increasingly ubiquitous aspect of daily life. Artificial intelligence is here, and it is reshaping nearly every aspect of modern life: how we work, how we learn, and how we communicate. AI-generated content is becoming more prevalent in healthcare, housing, education, entertainment, and even public service. If we do not have a standardized plan to become proficient in AI literacy today, we will not be ready to handle the challenges that AI can pose in the future. This is why I am introducing the AI for ALL Act. The AI for ALL Act develops a national strategy for the Federal Government to improve AI literacy in education. By understanding how AI has evolved and is expected to evolve, we can be better prepared to embrace the opportunities AI presents and address the challenges that can and will arise in the future. As lawmakers, we have a duty to ensure emerging technologies like AI are used responsibly, safely, and effectively so it does not harm public safety or infringe on our rights. The AI for ALL Act allows us to fulfill those duties and ensure that the United States will continue to be a global leader in AI. With strong AI literacy and education guidelines, we can lead with clarity, govern with integrity, and ensure the innovative breakthroughs AI brings can continue serving the public good. Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz Detained by ICE

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, 3 months ago, I shared the story of Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz, a senior at Reseda High School, who was detained by ICE while walking his dog. Benjamin is an older brother, a loving son, and a valued member of the community. He is a child. For the past 3 months, Benjamin has been in ICE detention at the Adelanto Detention Facility. ICE has been forcing his family to live a nightmare. Benjamin was transferred between two States and three detention facilities in 24 hours without his family knowing. If that was happening to Benjamin, imagine who else it is happening to. That is why I introduced the INFORM Act. My bill holds ICE accountable for the nightmare they are forcing families like Benjamin's to live through. Many immigrant families in my district do not know the whereabouts of their loved ones after they are detained by ICE. I have been urging ICE leadership to answer for their chaotic, inconsistent, and cruel decisionmaking policies that have torn apart families across the country. My bill respects the dignity of immigrant families and promotes government transparency. I will continue showing up to detention facilities and working with my colleagues to hold ICE accountable, promote government transparency, and respect the dignity of immigrant families.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, happy birthday to the greatest State in the Union. Mr. Speaker, 175 years ago, California was admitted as the 31st State in the Union. For 175 years, California was built by people from across the globe who came in search of a better life. This includes my mother, who immigrated to the San Fernando Valley in the 1960s and worked multiple jobs so that my sister and I could live out the American Dream. Stories like mine are what make California great, and it is what has made California special for the past 175 years. Generations of immigrants, workers, dreamers, and innovators have propelled California forward and made it a beacon for the rest of the Nation. Those advancements did not come without challenges, and communities across our State currently face threats to their livelihoods that directly challenge our State's values. Because of the Trump administration, many in my district and across the State live under fear that ICE will tear their family apart. In just 9 months, Trump has manufactured a crisis that harms our most vulnerable, including students starting a new school year, senior citizens, young children, and disabled individuals. He is detaining hardworking individuals who are in this country legally and providing for their families so they, too, can have a chance at their American Dream. I know California, and Californians are tough and resilient. Last month, I met with Mariela from Panorama City. Mariela stepped up to support her family and neighbors because street vendors like her mom are terrified that she may be swept up by ICE and separated from her family. Mariela's resiliency and advocacy for others in the face of Donald Trump's harmful anti-immigrant agenda embodies the spirit of California and what it means to be a Californian. I am a proud Californian from the San Fernando Valley raised by an immigrant mother, lifted by my community, and inspired every day by the people of this State. For 175 years, immigrants, workers, dreamers, and innovators made California a leader in the country. As we celebrate California's 175th birthday, let's recommit ourselves to protecting our most vulnerable and protecting a future where every family has what they need to thrive.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, ICE is out of control. Everyone needs to know the nightmare that is unfolding for my constituent and his family. Last month, ICE detained Benjamin Guerrero-Cruz while he was walking his dog. Benjamin is a rising senior and in Junior ROTC at Reseda High School. He is a kid who wants to serve our community. He has been in ICE detention for the past month, separated from his family and friends. Last week, ICE transferred Benjamin from California to Arizona. Less than 24 hours later, Benjamin was slated to be transferred again to Louisiana but was instead sent back to California. This all occurred without his family knowing. This is why I introduced the INFORM Act. The INFORM Act brings transparency to ICE's decisionmaking process and fights for the dignity of detainees. When I visited the Adelanto Detention Facility to get answers into ICE's decisionmaking process, ICE blocked me. I will keep fighting and seeking justice for Benjamin, his family, and all immigrants.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud Angeleno. Los Angeles will always be home to me. However, instead of putting a resolution on the floor that helps Angelenos address the cost of living, save their Medicaid, or protect our city's immigrant communities from the Trump administration's cruelty, Republicans are putting forward a resolution that targets Los Angeles, our home, and Californians. A few items my colleagues on the other side of the aisle forgot to mention in their partisan resolution include: the President's unprovoked escalation and mobilization of the National Guard and Marines against Americans on American soil; the President's comments to arrest Governor Gavin Newsom, an action that would stoke more tension; and the handcuffing and assault of Senator Alex Padilla, who boldly dared to demand accountability from this administration. Those are a few of the facts that were omitted from the Republicans' resolution. The truth is, Governor Newsom, Mayor Bass, and House Democrats, including my House Democratic Caucus colleagues from California, have repeatedly supported the right to peacefully protest and quickly condemned any acts of violence that have taken place. This resolution could have been a simple resolution condemning violence and thanking our local leaders for keeping communities safe. The resolution that we are voting on this week is a political stunt to distract from this administration's terrorization of hardworking families and immigrant communities that are a huge reason why our city, our State, and our country are great. Families across Los Angeles are living in fear because of this administration's reckless and chaotic actions that are instilling more fear, causing more chaos, and inflicting more harm among our most vulnerable. The families and individuals I have spoken with across my district are afraid to leave their homes because they might be illegally detained by masked and unnamed ICE agents and separated from their loved ones. No one should have to live with that fear. I will be voting ``no'' on the Republicans' resolution. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my friends across the aisle, especially my Californian Republican colleagues, to stand up for Los Angeles and our great State and vote ``no.''

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, Americans watched today in horror as the Trump administration assaulted a United States Senator. Senator Alex Padilla is not only the senior U.S. Senator in California, but he is my childhood friend, my mentor, and the Senator to my constituents of the 29th Congressional District in California. What we witnessed today were actions of an authoritative government. The Trump administration quickly resorted to violent actions to silence Senator Padilla, erase our democracy, and rewrite our Nation's values. Every American should be outraged at how the Trump administration is treating anyone who dares to stand in their way. Whether you are a U.S. Senator, a U.S. citizen, or an immigrant, no one is protected by the Trump regime. It is my job to ensure that my constituents, immigrants, and all Americans are protected from this administration's horrible actions. If a U.S. Senator is treated this way on camera, imagine how they are treating immigrants when the cameras are off. Mr. Speaker, I stand today as a proud daughter of immigrants. I stand with Senator Padilla. I stand for all the residents of California's 29th Congressional District.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce California's 29th District's winners of this year's Congressional Art Competition. In third place, from Ulysses S. Grant High School in Valley Glen, we have Daniel Graciano's ``Whispers of the Woods.'' Daniel's piece shows a lonely cabin sitting quietly by the water's edge, embraced by towering pines and deep shadows. This ink drawing captures a sense of isolation of nature, where time stands still and every tree tells a story. It is a perfect escape drawn in silence. This piece will be hanging in my district office in Arleta. In second place, from Van Nuys High School, we have Gayane Charyan's ``Forlorn Art Piece.'' In this piece, we see a girl sitting alone on a swing. The shadow of herself is her only company. This is an important piece that lets people know that loneliness and mental health affects all of us. Mr. Speaker, I also take this time to share the 988 lifeline that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Help is available for everyone who needs it. This piece will be hanging in my Washington, D.C., office. Mr. Speaker, in first place, from PUC Lakeview Charter High School in Sylmar, we have Nevaeh Cortez' piece, ``Heavy Minded.'' This piece shows how your inner thoughts can sometimes feel heavy. However, this piece also shows how to appreciate the beauty in the things that you find joy in. This piece will proudly be on display in the Cannon tunnel for the next year. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of all the students who submitted their pieces for this year's art competition. This year's submissions told personal stories about what it means to be a high schooler in 2025. I thank all the students who submitted a piece, and I look forward to seeing where these students' talents carry them in their future endeavors.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Leader Jeffries and Chair Ledger Fernandez for hosting this important discussion on the disastrous impact Republican cuts to Medicaid would have on women and children across the country. In the middle of the night, Republicans on the Rules Committee will consider a bill that contains the largest cuts to Medicaid in our country's history. This outright assault on healthcare will result in 13.7 million Americans losing their health coverage, including many of the 370,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in my district. This includes people like Yvette from Van Nuys who said that she wants to retire without spending a large portion of her pension on medical coverage. I also heard from Joe from Panorama City who, without the help of Medicaid, would not be able to afford medical treatments for his children. Cutting Medicaid will be a disaster for families across the country. I stand with my House Democratic Caucus colleagues in protecting it from Republicans' cruel and extreme budget.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, as we speak, House Republicans are finalizing an extreme budget plan that includes the largest cut to Medicaid in our country's history. This is an outright assault on the healthcare of nearly 14 million Americans, including over 370,000 people in my district, California's 29th. Additionally, hospitals like Olive View Medical Center in Sylmar, where over 70 percent of patients rely on Medicaid, will suffer, and services at health centers throughout my district, including El Proyecto del Barrio and Northeast Valley Health Corporation will be cut. Republicans' attacks on Medicaid means Americans, including millions who are already struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, will be forced to pay more for healthcare. Republicans continue to show that they have no plans to make life easier for anyone who is not a billionaire. In fact, while the rest of the country gets sicker and poorer, Republicans are set to give their billionaire donors new tax breaks. Protecting Medicaid is essential to our communities. That is why House Democrats and I are demanding an up-or-down vote to protect it. I call on my Republican colleagues to join House Democrats in signing our discharge petition to protect Medicaid for their constituents and healthcare for children, seniors, and the disabled in their district. National Science Foundation

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, this week we should be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the National Science Foundation and the countless investments it has made to propel our country ahead in the technological race. However, since the start of the Trump-Musk administration, the NSF has been in its crosshairs. In total, Elon Musk, DOGE, and this administration have terminated over 1,400 meritorious grants totaling more than $1 billion in funds. Some of the projects that these funds would have supported include giving middle school students opportunities to use math and design to address agricultural issues; identifying the use of deepfakes and curbing the spread of misinformation; and supporting and training the next generation of quantum technicians. Cuts to these programs, and many more, came with no transparency, little communication, and zero accountability. My colleagues on the Science Committee have repeatedly demanded that the administration answer for their actions, even as recently as this week. Each time we were met with radio silence. This administration needs to answer for its unprecedented attack and how it wiped out decades of progress for science, including decades of progress for diversifying the STEM workforce. This week, we should be celebrating the advancements NSF has contributed to over the past 75 years and looking forward to a bright and innovative 75 more years. Instead, we are fighting to save it from the chaotic, reckless, and destructive actions of this administration.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, there are many issues that we could be talking about today, like lowering the cost of living, protecting Medicaid and Social Security, or protecting immigrant communities. Instead, House Republicans are prioritizing Trump's vanity project, renaming the Gulf of Mexico, like that is going to help Americans with their cost of living. Millions of Americans are struggling because of Trump's policies that are tanking our economy and raising the cost of living. The Republicans in this Chamber have yet to put forth anything that addresses their issues. I am disappointed that House Republicans blocked my amendment to this bill that would actually help working families across the country. My amendment would require the official name change to not take effect until the Department of the Interior can prove that this bill would lower food prices, including the price of eggs, spur economic growth, create jobs, and lower the unemployment rate, but the Republicans voted it down in committee and blocked it from getting to the floor today. That shows where their priorities are. It was not just the House Republicans who opposed helping working families. The Trump White House also hated this amendment and sent out a statement of opposition. They went to FOX News to complain that we are doing our job to serve the people. Call me crazy, but I believe that the work we do in Congress should improve the lives of the American people. As the Congresswoman proudly representing the San Fernando Valley in California, I believe that the true test of how we are as a country is how we treat our most vulnerable, and this bill fails that test. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this ridiculous bill.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to speak against H.J. Res. 87, which will illegally stop California's efforts to work toward a greener and cleaner future through zero-emission trucks. Strong vehicle standards protect Americans from expensive and volatile fossil fuels and accelerate the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies to help us compete globally. According to the American Lung Association, the L.A. metro area has the most polluted ozone in the country. This is due to the high concentration of freeways and heavy trucking industry and communities such as those in the San Fernando Valley like Pacoima and Sun Valley. Stopping these efforts will worsen our air quality and the public health of our communities that are already plagued with the effects of air pollution and vehicles. Mr. Speaker, I am against this resolution and its goal of stripping California's ability to regulate air pollution and improve public health. Not only are Republicans taking away healthcare from over 370,000 of my constituents who rely on Medicaid, they are actively worsening the health problems many of them face. This is insult to injury. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Takano for recognizing me and for hosting this important discussion in front of the American people. Our country was founded on the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but who are we as a country if we backtrack on those founding values? We would not be the country that inspired our parents, our neighbors, and our grandparents to make a dangerous and brave journey in the hopes that their children will have a better life than they did. Everyone has a story that they can relate. Mine is about my mother, who emigrated from Mexico in the 1960s. She raised me and my sister on her own, taking multiple jobs to make ends meet. It was not until the late 1980s when she finally got her green card. She was so happy, and I remember feeling relieved because she was safe and could live in this country without fear. Today, that fear has returned. Donald Trump is blatantly pushing aside the Constitution and the rule of law to deport anybody at will. I am here because I am fighting for my mother and many like her who came to this country in search of a better life. I am fighting so our immigrant communities can, once and for all, live without fear that their livelihoods would be taken away at a moment's notice. I am fighting with my Congressional Progressive Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus colleagues against this administration's attempts to strip away a person's right to due process. Donald Trump is criminalizing people like Abrego Garcia and denying him his due process. Yet, it is not just Abrego Garcia. This administration is also deporting children. Last week, this administration deported a 2-year-old child and a 4- year-old child who are battling stage IV cancer, both of whom are U.S. citizens. What is happening to Garcia and these children is a travesty, and they need to come home. Sending them without due process to countries like El Salvador and Honduras is a shameful assault on our human rights and a betrayal of the ideals that our country was founded on. His policies are also unpopular across the country, and the polling proves it. After 100 days, Donald Trump has the lowest approval rating of any President in at least the past 80 years. The American people see through his cruelty, and they are with us. We need to confront the cruelty from this administration head on and seek justice for all of those who have been unfairly targeted. I stand united with my colleagues in stopping this administration and holding this President accountable for his actions.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share the story of a Federal scientist from California who, in their words, was fired by President Trump and Elon Musk. They wrote: I was a Pathways student intern at the EPA. I was assisting and training under the ecotoxicology group studying the effects and bioaccumulation of PFAS. I am completely devastated and heartbroken. The EPA Pathways Program creates a pathway to a career in the Federal Government for students and recent graduates. In this case, this is a student working on complex scientific issues involving PFAS, toxic chemicals that are all around us. As the only Latino Member with a STEM background in Congress, I know how important it is to encourage our students and young professionals to pursue careers in STEM. Firing our future STEM workforce just as they are getting started in their careers is shortsighted and irresponsible. These firings will decimate the future Federal STEM workforce that will keep American innovation competitive.

Ms. RIVAS

Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, this week, my office was flooded with calls from constituents who are angry and frustrated about Elon Musk and his takeover of our government. I am just as outraged as they are. This billionaire was neither elected by the American people nor Senate confirmed. Yet, he is sitting in our Nation's highest office, openly seizing power, making consequential decisions about Americans' personal data, and gutting the services and programs that working families in the San Fernando Valley rely on. Why does Elon Musk have access to your personal information without any oversight or accountability? House Democrats and I are taking action. We are legislating. We are supporting litigation, and we are mobilizing. I also ask why our Republican colleagues are sitting in silence while Elon Musk takes control our government and harms Americans' lives. I urge my Republican colleagues to join us in the fight against Elon's takeover.