Loretta Sanchez

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. In its present form, I am opposed.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, this country is in an unprecedented time with growing threats abroad and intense partisan rancor here in this Chamber. But at this time and at this moment, Mr. Speaker, my final amendment to the FAA authorization offers an opportunity to bridge these divides and to help add one more component to secure our homeland. I want my colleagues to remember our darkest moment, our very vulnerable moment, the morning of September 11. I know how vulnerable I felt that day with the uncertainty of not knowing where the next plane would hit. Would it be our Capitol? Would it be the Golden Gate Bridge? Would it be the Sears Tower? I also remember the eeriness of 4 or 5 days with no planes in the sky, the uncertainty we all felt. From Richard Reid trying to light a bomb in his shoes, to the Christmas Day bombing attempt just 2 years ago, our skies have long been a target for terrorists. This final amendment to the FAA reauthorization would ensure that Federal air marshals are deployed on all high-risk flights for U.S. airlines. For the last 20 years, our greatest threats from al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations have systematically targeted our passenger airlines. The fact that only a percentage of the highest risk passenger flights on U.S. airlines have a Federal air marshal shows the amount of work that we still need to do. If the recent attempted attacks I spoke about earlier haven't changed your mind, then let me remind you about the instability in the Middle East we face right now. The Christmas Day bomber received his training in Yemen, a country now marred with protests that has the potential to become even more unstable and more difficult. Do we want more Christmas Day bombings? I don't believe so. As we are now all aware, our country is engaged in combat operations over the skies of Libya. No one doubts that Colonel Qadhafi's days are numbered, and we will all be better off when there is one less dictator in this world. Some of the younger Members in this Chamber today may not remember, but Colonel Qadhafi has a history of attacking the United States. Twenty-two years ago, Pan Am Flight 103 took off from London en route to New York, when a bomb exploded and it killed 270 people. 189 of those were Americans. I believe we don't need another attack like that, not now and not ever. My colleagues, I urge you to join me in voting for my amendment to this bill and to ensure that we have more Federal air marshals on the highest risk flights. This issue has no aisle; it has no lines. There are no party lines about this. This is what we should do together. Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the Homeland Security Committee, I have dedicated most of my years in this Congress to ensure that we protect our borders, that we protect our airspace, and that we prevent attacks like this one. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to make sure that we fulfill that dedication that I know all of my colleagues in this Chamber have. I ask my Republican colleagues to support this amendment that will ensure that we have Federal air marshals on high-risk flights. When we end our time here in the people's House, when we look back and we ask what did we do, when we ask ourselves what was our purpose, I would like to be able to say we came together and we protected the American people. It is our solemn obligation in this Congress to do all that we can to defend our country. We owe it to those that we represent, we owe it to those on Pan Am Flight 103, and we owe it to those victims of the attacks of September 11. Especially, we owe it to the 26,000 passengers who fly our American skies every day. I ask my colleagues on the other side to vote for what is right. Do what is right. We must protect this country's skies. It is up to us, and no one else will do it.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. I rise today to recognize an amazing woman, a woman from the city of Anaheim in my district, Mrs. Maria T. Solis-Martinez, in honor of Women's History Month. Mrs. Solis- Martinez is a retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant who served during the Vietnam era from 1960 to 1967. In 1974, she joined the California Air National Guard and continued her commitment to serving our country in the 261st and the 222nd Combat Communications Squadrons. I'm truly proud to have such an extraordinary woman in my hometown. She is a mentor and a friend, and she's always working for the community. For over 10 years, she has been an active member sponsor of the Latino Advocates for Education, Inc., an organization that brings awareness and recognition to the contributions of Latino military veterans in all the wars fought by the United States. She continues to devote endless hours volunteering with the Girl Scouts Council of Orange County, North Orange County YWCA Youth Employment Service, and so many other organizations, mentoring young girls to become talented, distinguished women. As we honor Women's History Month and Women in the Military History Week, I proudly recognize Mrs. Maria Solis-Martinez for her incredible leadership and for being such a great role model.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) for a unanimous consent request. (Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, since my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are ending the Home Affordable Modification Program, my amendment simply states that the Congress should encourage the banks to provide our qualifying neighbors with loan modifications. It also encourages the banks to provide our friends and families with information on foreclosure prevention and loan modification. My Republican colleagues say that the Home Affordable Modification Program is not helping enough people. Well, it didn't help all the people. That's true. I know people who went and tried to get their loans modified, and it didn't work for them; but there have been quite a few who have been helped. I want to give you some examples just in my own area. For example, there is this couple in Garden Grove, California. The husband became unemployed. He was a construction worker; and as we all know, construction was the first industry to fold. Well, the family fell behind on their mortgage payments despite the fact that they are extremely frugal and had been saving money for emergencies. After some time, the husband found a job. Of course it paid less, and they are still unable to pay their full mortgage. They owed $8,825 in missed payments with late fees; plus, they had a balance of $482,000 on their mortgage. Thanks to the modification program, the debts were forgiven, and the balance was dropped by $87,000 so that they have a new balance. Even with the loss of income, they are very thankful that they can keep their home and that they have a mortgage payment that they can make. The Home Affordable Modification Program allowed this family to keep their home. A family from Santa Ana was close to losing their home due to financial hardship as the husband's hours and income were reduced. So to make ends meet, he supplemented his primary job with a part-time job. These are not people who are asking for handouts. These are people who are trying to figure out a way to hold onto their homes and to keep stability with their children. The gentleman really wanted to keep his home, so he worked with a counseling agency to formulate a budget that was affordable to him. Thanks to the loan modification program, his payment was reduced, and the family can stay in their home. That's one more family in Santa Ana that is in their home today. Then there was this couple who worked for a school district. The budget restraints in the State forced them to have furloughs, which took a significant toll on their income. There was a couple from Anaheim who was using their unused sick and vacation days just so they could get that check in order to make the mortgage. Thanks to the loan modification program, the couple was able to permanently modify their loan and keep their home. Their monthly mortgage payment was reduced, and it made it more affordable. Even with an income reduction, this is another couple, another family, who is still in their home. Those are only three of the success stories we've had. I know I have worked very hard with my housing agencies and with people in putting on forums and talking to people and giving information and calling them in and getting the banks to try to modify these loans. This is a 5-year process at home that we have been working on. I don't know, maybe the rest of my colleagues didn't do this or didn't know how to do it or they weren't as successful, but we have had success. So we have families who are in their homes. It is my hope that my Republican colleagues will reconsider this bill. Let's work together to find solutions for people because when you keep families in their homes, the stability of the family stays intact; and when you have that in particular, if you have children, they need that stability. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, Taiwan is one of the most geologically sensitive regions of the world and they are keenly aware of their vulnerability to the various threats of accelerating global environmental change. Taiwan recognizes that the climate system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. For these reasons, Taiwan would be a constructive member of the global organizations of the United Nations (UN) through its Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). As a member of UNFCCC, Taiwan will be able to contribute their skills and experiences to the world community such as gathering and sharing information on greenhouse gas emissions, national policies and best practices, providing financial and technological support to developing countries and preparing for adaptations to the impacts of climate change. Since 2008, Taiwan's new administration has proactively engaged in many UN activities. In 2009, UN member states for the first time accepted Taiwan as an official observer for the World Health Assembly. The UN should further consider Taiwan's inclusion in the United Nations' environmental conventions and activities.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment. My amendment would state simply that the Congress acknowledges that we could have helped to rebuild neighborhoods where foreclosures are common through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, or as we know it, NSP. You see, my Republican colleagues are offering today a bill that would terminate NSP. This program, I believe, has been particularly successful in helping to rebuild neighborhoods in my district and throughout Orange County, California. The city of Anaheim, which I represent, acquired and rehabilitated 17 single-family homes and sold them to low- to moderate-income families. It also acquired and rehabilitated a four-unit multifamily complex for lease to persons with developmental disabilities. This project was crucial because it is very difficult to find properties for people who have developmental disabilities. In Anaheim, one in 303 homes is in foreclosure. Not only does this have an emotional impact, as you can imagine, when you lose your home-- it is the instability, especially for your kids; parents are worried, and children can see that--but it also has economic impacts on our neighborhoods. With the help of this program, the city of Anaheim improved neighborhoods and provided the families with homes. And I know that my colleague on the Republican side also represents Anaheim. And if he would have spoken to some of the staff from Anaheim, he would have realized that they really believe that this program was important to keep blight from happening in neighborhoods and to attempt to keep the prices of the homes level for those families that were struggling to make their payments and to stay in their homes and to keep up their neighborhoods. The city of Garden Grove, where one in 348 homes is in foreclosure, also acquired and rehabilitated property. They acquired and rehabilitated five homes and sold them to first-time home buyers. And, of course, the city of Santa Ana, where one in 252 homes is in foreclosure, they acquired and rehabilitated 13 single-family homes and 27 condos, and they sold them to first-time home buyers. They acquired and renovated a 13-unit multifamily complex and have leased them now to low-income families. They assisted five families with down payment assistance, and they are also in the process of acquiring 16 single-family homes that will be sold to first-time home buyers. Now, I know that my colleague on the other side mentioned that some of this money went to nongovernmental agencies, to private companies; but I would like him to really take a look at the fact that cities really stepped up to work very hard to keep families in their homes, to keep neighborhoods afloat as we work through this very difficult time of the financial meltdown and the housing crisis. In Orange County, the Neighborhood Housing Services, with the assistance of what we call NSP Round One moneys, acquired and rehabilitated a total of 11 single-family homes and condos. And with Round Two moneys, the Neighborhood Housing Services acquired and rehabilitated 17 single-family homes/condos and sold them to first-time home buyers. This program has helped to rebuild our neighborhoods, to stabilize our neighborhoods, and have given families the opportunity to become homeowners. So it is my hope that my colleagues on the other side reconsider eliminating what I believe has been a successful program in Orange County, California, one that has benefited not just those who got to buy their first home but those neighborhoods and those cities that so desperately needed to keep up the neighborhood and get people in their homes. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Chairman, I would remind the gentleman from California that some cities, it's true, did not receive moneys and did not go through the process of buying up homes, et cetera, and trying to get neighborhoods back. One of the reasons they did not is it's really a competitive situation. You have to want to do it, and some cities simply did not have the need or did not want to do it. I mean, I would assume that in some places in Orange County, you could probably do as the gentleman said, and that is to sell at a fire sale some of those homes on Newport Beach or other places. But with respect to the central portion of Orange County where you really have households that are working families, this program was very, very important; and the city stepped up. The city of Anaheim, the city of Garden Grove, the city of Santa Ana stepped up to do the right thing to work through and to ensure that their neighborhoods again were stabilized and to get new people into those homes. Again, I do believe that it worked for those cities, and I would encourage a ``yes'' vote on this amendment, Mr. Chairman. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. I wish to be heard, Madam Chair.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. I think this is directly related to what is going on. I don't understand how people don't understand what is going on here. Because we have this program, the Republican side says let's eliminate this program and then, if you want to help people, you need to find more money and cut another program.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. I do believe it's germane, Madam Chair.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. I move to strike the last word.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. It amazes me that somebody could say that homeowners, American homeowners, losing their homes and us trying to help them to stay in them is like throwing money down a rat hole. I might suggest that we might look at Afghanistan or the war in Iraq where we're spending $2 billion a week as a place where we could find the money to balance our budget. But at this moment, Madam Chair, I would like to yield to my good colleague from California (Ms. Waters).

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Chair, I offer an amendment to House Resolution 836, the Emergency Mortgage Relief Program Termination Act. My amendment would simply delay implementation of H.R. 836 until the unemployment rate is at 7.5 percent nationally or lower. Why 7.5 percent? Because if my Republican colleagues really want to terminate this program, focus on what people in America really want, jobs. Ten weeks into this Congress and not one single bill has come from our Republican colleagues with respect to jobs. We haven't even had a chance to see how this program can be beneficial to the people we represent, to our neighborhoods, to the economy. I know that shortly after the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act the phone was ringing off the hook in my offices as people were trying to find out how they could get some help to stay in their homes. The Emergency Homeowner Loan Program was designed to assist homeowners who have experienced a significant reduction in income--in income, not because they got into a bad loan; because they have lost their jobs, because they have found another job but it doesn't pay enough, because they are underemployed, because they have found a part- time job which doesn't give them benefits so they have to use COBRA, and they have to pay for their health care simply because they have less money right now during this time when you all have not been able to help us create jobs. This would provide as many as 30,000 distressed homeowners with loans until they are able to find better jobs or find jobs. Assistance terminates when the borrower's income is restored to 85 percent of their pre-crisis level, and the assistance is limited to 24 months or $50,000, whichever occurs first. You know, unexpected situations, they occur in our lives. Many people who are unemployed today or are underemployed today didn't expect to lose their jobs. They went every day. They worked hard every day. As people were losing jobs, they worked harder, they stayed longer. They became more productive and still, because of decisions made by other people other than those who were working hard, they lost their jobs, or a medical problem came up. You get cancer, you have got to go to the doctor, you have got to do chemotherapy. Your employer says, don't need you around because you are out. You have got bills piling up, and you have no job, and you are working and you can't work. And now you are going to lose your home. You are going to put people who have cancer and other serious problems like that, health problems, out of their home? This is a program to help those kinds of people. I don't know. The last time I checked, Americans cared about each other. If we can even save one family in their home, then it is worth it. The banks have proven that working to keep our neighbors in their homes is not a top priority for them. Don't join them. Don't join them in sending the message to America's workers, to America's families, to America's homeowners that you, too, do not think that they are a priority. I urge you to allow this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, as we work through the rigors of this congressional session, it is important that we take the time to recognize this March as National Women's History Month. The theme for 2011 is, ``Our History is Our Strength,'' and this is understood by looking back on the challenges that women faced throughout the course of history and realizing that it has only made us stronger and more tenacious going into the future. This month, we acknowledge those women in history who braved the fight for equal rights and paved the way for myself and many of my colleagues here today. We honor the strong women in the military who are everyday helping to ensure our safety and freedom in this world. And we honor all women for the important role that they play in their communities. But, despite all the challenges and hurdles that we have overcome, the efforts for equality continue. As the proud representative of the 47th district of California, I will continue to strive for increase and advancement of opportunities for women all around the world. And I challenge young women everywhere to do the same and continue with even greater strength and force into the future.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of this amendment that I am sponsoring. My amendment replaces the FHA Refinance Program Termination Act and would allow the use of unexpended funds to create a program that will allow qualifying homeowners to apply to refinance a 30-year mortgage at 4 percent as long as the mortgage they are refinancing is on their primary home, that they are up to date on their mortgage, and that their annual income, adjusted gross income, does not exceed $180,000. People back home are hurting, and they are desperate to keep their home. I know there are many who have lost their homes. There are some who are behind on payments, and they haven't kept up with their payments, but what about the people who have actually held onto their home? They have actually paid. They have had to actually give up their car, they are walking to work, they are taking the bus because they understand how important it is for them to hold onto their house because a house is not just a house. Your primary residence is your home. It is where your kids are. It is where they find a stable life. So while this program is not perfect--there is not a perfect program we have come up with--we have tried to help people who have been losing their houses, people who through no fault of their own, who have either lost their jobs, have had to take a lesser job, who were swindled, who were talked into loans they didn't understand what they were signing because they were hit by the subprime lenders, and they are paying too much, and people are sometimes paying in the double digits with respect to their loan. Maybe they are at 10 percent or 9.5 percent 12 percent on their loan. This program would actually say to those who somehow have held on, we are going to refinance your primary home at 4 percent because there are a lot of people who could do this and their payment would come down significantly, but today, they can't refinance. To refinance today on a 30-year loan is 4.9 percent. There are a lot of people who are paying 8 percent. It means a lot. It could be anywhere between $2 and $2,000 in their payment a month. But they can't qualify. They don't have the chunk of money they need, their home is underwater, et cetera. So this is a very important thing we could do. Let's take the money. Let's take that money that we have not spent on this program and let's put it to help the people who have done the right thing, the people who, no matter what, have continued to pay on their loan, because there are many of them out there. I would hope that we could find a compromise, that we could find a way in which we can keep people in their homes. No program is perfect, but I think we have the opportunity to do the right thing, Madam Chair. I yield back the balance of my time. Point of Order

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Chair, this is about eliminating a program. I understand that those people who are behind on their payments, you're just going to let them go. You're just going to let them lose their home. Then they're going to have a hard time finding an apartment. I understand that. But this is about helping the people who truly, the middle class, the lower-income class, who have a home, who need to hold onto that home. I do believe that this is germane to the underlying bill. I respectfully request that we consider this amendment.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 92nd anniversary of the March 1st Movement also known as the Samil Movement. Today commemorates the start of Korea's independence movement from Japanese colonization and on March 1, 1919, the people of Korea united to fight for their freedom. For 35 years, the people of Korea were denied their identity as they were violently discriminated against by the Japanese government and were forced to repress its culture on their own land. March 1 is a day of great proclamation as it was the first step to Korea gaining its independence and liberty. Although the Korean Peninsula remains divided, today we recognize the Koreans who fought courageously to defend their land, people and heritage. Today, the Republic of Korea is one of America's closest economic and military allies in Northeast Asia. South Korea is our 7th largest trading partner and our close relations are signified by our ongoing military cooperation in the region. South Korea remains a dynamic technological inspiration and a vital partner of the international community. As United States and South Korea continue our partnership and friendship, we must also continue to strive for the independence of the people of North Korea and look at ways to address the ongoing security threats from North Korea. As the Congresswoman of the 47th District of California, I represent one of the most vibrant Korean-American communities in the United States. And I would like to celebrate with them and the people of Korea on this honorable day of Korea's independence.

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California

Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Jobs, jobs, jobs. That's what people back home want--jobs. Everybody I know wants a job. People stand in line, they want a job. And so now we are at this crucial deadline, and the Republicans want to shut down the government because their strategy for this year is just to gut everything, everything, anything, 700,000 jobs, 800,000 jobs, depends who you are talking to. If you are talking to the Moody's person, it's 700,000. If you're talking to the Economic Institute, it's 800,000. So while they concentrate on eliminating jobs, I believe most of us here, Democrats, are working hard to understand what's an investment, how do we help people to get their next job? Where do they get their education? Where do they get their training? How about building the high-speed rail, for example, in California, to create jobs? I think Republicans need to get back to work.