Michelle Steel

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today to condemn the discrimination and violence that our Asian-American and Pacific Islander community has experienced. Between March and December of last year, nearly 4,000 firsthand accounts of anti-AAPI hate crimes were recorded in the United States. It is heartbreaking to read the news stories of these crimes, and my heart goes out to all those who have been victims of this violence. I have experienced this type of discrimination and racism firsthand. I have been called racist slurs and been treated differently because I am an Asian American. As a proud American and someone who loves this country dearly, I take this rise in violence against our Asian community very seriously. That is why, in February, the very first bill I introduced was a bipartisan resolution to condemn these crimes and encourage better coordination between State, local, and Federal governments to track hate against the AAPI community. Combating hate is a nonpartisan issue, and I am proud that my resolution gained bipartisan support. I am very disappointed that my bipartisan bill was not part of this week's conversation and that we haven't had the opportunity to vote on it yet. Despite my history of work on this and my personal experience, no one in the majority sought out my partnership or input on the anti-Asian hate bills before us today. I would have welcomed the opportunity for partnership, and I would have thought that my colleagues would seek input from one of only two Republican Asian-American women in the House. Our voices matter in this discussion. I am proud to be standing here today to condemn these violent acts and support my community. While I disagree with my Democratic colleagues on many things, this is one area where we can find common ground. That is what bipartisanship is, disagreeing with someone but finding issues where there is an opportunity to work together for the good of the country. I will continue to work on behalf of our AAPI community in Congress and condemn hate in all forms because this is not a partisan issue. We are all Americans. I hope that, moving forward, we have an opportunity to hear from more AAPI voices and that we work together to put an end to hate.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to recognize National Police Week. Our police officers put their lives on the line every single day they go to work. They answer the call of duty on holidays, weekends, birthdays, and through the COVID-19 pandemic to selflessly protect our communities. When I was chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, I introduced a resolution to recognize Law Enforcement Appreciation Day in Orange County because now, more than ever, we owe these brave officers our support and appreciation. I am especially grateful for our Capitol Police officers who have been through so much this year with the devastating loss of multiple officers in the line of duty. Thank you to all police officers for your continued bravery. I and so many others are proud to stand with you today and every day.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the 106th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Saturday, April 24, is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. On the anniversary of the Armenian genocide, we mourn the innocent lives lost and renew our call to recognize these events for what they were: a genocide. The Armenian people were removed from their homes and fell victim to a mass murder campaign between 1915 and 1916. It is estimated that over 1 million Armenians were killed in this tragedy. So many years later, people still do not call these events a genocide. If we do not teach an accurate history, then we are doomed to repeat it. It is our responsibility to recognize these tragedies and to mourn them.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 46th anniversary of Black April. April 30, 1975, marked the fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam war. Many Vietnamese Americans who were alive during the war remember this as the day that signified the loss of a country they once called home. The people left everything they knew to flee communism. Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people have resettled in the United States and built vibrant communities here. California's 48th District is the proud home of Little Saigon, which is home to more Vietnamese Americans than anywhere else in the United States. On Black April, I will join the Vietnamese Americans in our community and around the country in honoring those who served in Vietnam, and those who lost their lives attempting to flee Communist rule.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 46th anniversary of Black April.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today against the PRO Act. The PRO Act strips people of their right to work and comes at a time when our economy has been transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now more than ever, people need more flexibility and independence to work in the capacity they see fit, not less. Independent contractors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses in my home State of California already understand the devastating effects AB- 5 had on their ability to provide for their families. Even in California, they realized there needed to be exceptions for certain industries. The PRO Act makes no such exceptions. The blanket approach that proved to be a disaster in California is certainly guaranteed to cause more harm to workers at the national level. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this misguided legislation and to preserve our constituents' rights to work.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of free speech. I also rise today to protect our constituents' taxpayer dollars. This bill we are debating, H.R. 1, would federally mandate a 6-to-1 government match of contributions in congressional or presidential campaigns. That means for every $200 donated to the campaign, the Federal Government would match $1,200. That is $1,200 of our constituents' hard-earned tax dollars sent to a campaign or candidate that they may not even agree with or believe in. In the upcoming 2022 election cycle, that means up to $7.2 million of public funds, per candidate, would be given to the candidates. This is not how the government should be spending our taxpayers' money. H.R. 1 would also allow the IRS to investigate the political and policy background of organizations before granting tax-exempt status.

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, this is a slippery slope towards discrimination against organizations. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Mrs. STEEL

Mrs. STEEL. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to the previous question. If the previous question is defeated, Republicans will amend this rule to immediately consider H.R. 682, the Reopen Schools Act. This bill was introduced by Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, and it would condition State COVID relief grants for education on schools reopening so that students can get back in the classroom safely. In December, Congress sent States $54 billion for K-12 education. Congresswoman Hinson's bill would ensure this money is used to get students back in the classroom safely and soon. In-person learning can be done safely with the right precautions and safety measures. In Orange County, California, when I was chair of the Board of Supervisors, we safely allowed schools to reopen in early September. Children have been able to go to school in person safely, and the science shows that it has not contributed to significant COVID- 19 outbreaks in our communities. Congress should be clear that we expect schools to use this funding to reopen, while keeping students and teachers safe. The science says students should return to the classroom. The CDC has confirmed that K- 12 schools are not a high-transmission environment. Young kids have an extremely low infection rate, low transmission rate, and a low rate of serious illness from COVID-19. Unfortunately, only one-third of K-12 schools across the country currently have an in-person learning option available for students. As a result, kids' mental health is hurting. Students should be socializing with their peers and in a classroom environment. Child depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are rising. Both parents and children across this Nation continue to suffer because of the challenges from this long-term lockdown. While virtual learning can play an important role in offering parents and students additional education options, it should not be forced on families by schools unable to offer it effectively. It is unfortunate this legislation won't even be considered, because doing the right thing for students should not be a partisan issue. This is a disservice to students and families across the country who are suffering because of this pandemic lockdown. Congress should be working in a bipartisan way to provide targeted help. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote.