Linda Sánchez

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor and celebrate the life of Rod Garcia, a respected visionary, leader, and advocate in Southern California. Rod dedicated his life to empowering the Latino community in educational excellence, economic opportunity, and social equity through the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. He was a trailblazer for Latinos in STEM, and his work to continue diversifying this essential workforce lives on. Rod graduated from California State University in Los Angeles with a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Engineering. During the tech boom in California in 1973, Rod became one of the few Hispanic engineers to be a leader in the STEM field. Seeing the lack of Latino representation in STEM, Rod founded the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). He sought to diversify the field by offering networking and educational opportunities for Hispanic students and professionals in the Southern California region. Rod had the unique ability to unite community partners and leaders around the country in the commitment to closing the STEM gap among Latinos. Over the course of five decades, Rod propelled the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers to reach 13,000 members and 286 chapters nationwide. Today, Latinos continue to experience some of the most noticeable disparities in representation within the STEM field. But Rod's legacy will live on through his devotion and work to close that gap. His work will continue to help future generations of Latinos realize their fullest potential to positively impact the world.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, this amendment is simple. It simply asks for a report evaluating the spread of disinformation within the military ranks and how that can be mitigated. Respecting our troops and our veterans means protecting them from exploitation and from manipulation by bad actors such as Russian trolls. Disinformation and propaganda not only create divisions in our society, they exploit vulnerabilities that already exist. This is a direct threat to our national security because it undermines trust and confidence within the ranks. We must do more to reach out to all members of society, especially those who are most vulnerable to propaganda. Defending our democracy and bolstering our societal resilience requires it. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying package. In the face of what we have seen, the problems that disinformation and misinformation can cause, those who choose to willfully ignore it and not prepare for it are contributing to the potential violence. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer), my colleague on the Ways and Means Committee.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment which would require the Department of Defense and the VA take steps to investigate and mitigate the spread of disinformation within their ranks. Bad actors are taking advantage of new technologies to effectively manipulate the public, spreading false information faster and further than ever before. Extremists are trying to blur the line between fact and fiction, which undermines confidence in reliable sources of information. The result is more polarization and less trust in our government. This ultimately makes it easier for violent groups to recruit individuals, including servicemembers and veterans, to their causes. We saw the devastating effects of disinformation in this very Chamber on January 6 of 2021. I will never forget sitting on the floor of my office in the dark, a baseball bat in my hand, hoping that I would live to see my son grow up. Insurrectionists, motivated by disinformation, stormed the heart of American democracy. Over 80 of those charged in relation to January 6 had some form of military service. America's military is not immune to the rising tide of extremism, nor is it immune to disinformation and conspiracy theories. Experts have shown that extremist groups target active military and veterans for recruitment. We must act before it is too late. We must remain vigilant to the weaponization of disinformation that aims to polarize our society, create division, and damage trust in our institutions. If left unchecked, the reckless spread of disinformation poses an existential threat to our democracy. I urge all my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying package. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Pell Grant program. When Congress created the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant in 1972, they did so to provide direct financial aid to working families, like my own, who faced numerous challenges in paying for college. My parents arrived in the U.S. in pursuit of the promise of the American dream for themselves and their seven children. When I was accepted into UC Berkeley, the question of how to pay for it loomed large over my parents and me. It took me 20 years to pay off my school loans, which I always considered an investment in myself. However, at 17 years old, taking out student loans was terrifying. And these days, paying for college has only gotten harder. Most of the families receiving Pell Grants earn incomes of $40,000 or less. That is why the federal Pell Grant program eases families' student loan burden and is critical to ensuring folks can pursue higher education. My district is made of families like my own-working families trying to ensure their children have access to the economic mobility that college can provide. In the 38th district of California, a little over 15,000 students are receiving almost $59,000,000 in Pell Grant awards. That's only a portion of the 7 million students that can attend college because of Pell Grants. As we approach the 50-year mark on the Pell Grant program, I encourage the United States to celebrate ``National Pell Grant Day'' on June 23. Let us recognize the current students and successful graduates who have benefited from the program. Madam Speaker, I hope we can count on another 50 years of bipartisan support for low-income students through the Pell Grant program. I urge my colleagues to support the bipartisan resolution declaring June 23, 2022, National Pell Grant Day this year, and in the future.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Chief Brad Keller, a dedicated public servant for the city of Montebello. Chief Keller is retiring after 31 years of service to his community and the Montebello Police Department. Chief Keller began his law enforcement career with the Montebello Police Department in 1991, after graduating from Rio Hondo College Police Academy. Throughout his career, Chief Keller's work in the community was recognized through multiple promotions, until eventually becoming Montebello's 10th Police Chief in 2018. Through his advanced leadership and peace officer training, Chief Keller recognized that protecting a community also requires an increased understanding of the diversity of the community. While Chief Keller always sought to protect and serve his community, he took care to do so while maintaining a relationship of trust and respect with the citizens of Montebello. Notably, Chief Keller was awarded the Medal of Courage and the Medal of Merit in 2000 and the Medal of Lifesaving in 2003. Chief Keller dedicated his life to serving Montebello, and he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire current and future public servants.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life of the late Congressman Esteban Torres, a dedicated public servant, trailblazer for Latino political power, and a champion for the working class. Congressman Esteban Torres dedicated his life to serving his community, early on as a labor leader and eventually in Congress and the White House. He was among the first Latinos elected to Congress, paving the way for increased representation across all levels of government. As a Member of this body, Congressman Torres proudly represented the community in which he was raised and much of the community that I am proud to serve today. He fought with integrity for the rights of immigrants, environmental justice, and economic empowerment. His legacy will live on in the communities he represented and in the hearts that he touched. I send my sincere condolences to his family and all who knew him.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor David N. Shafer, a constituent who lives in Whittier, California, as he retires after 31 years of work providing affordable housing for American families. David has dedicated his life to increasing access to affordable housing for Californians. During his tenure at WNC, a leading affordable housing fund, David served as Chief Legal Officer and oversaw all legal affairs. In this role, he was instrumental in the underwriting, negotiation, and acquisition of more than 1,400 affordable housing communities representing over 93,000 apartment units for low-income families, senior citizens, and veterans. David contributed his extensive insight and knowledge of affordable housing to his industry by serving as president and long-time member of the board of directors of the California Council for Affordable Housing and as director for the Council of Affordable and Rural Housing. Guided by an unwavering commitment to ``do the right thing,'' David has been a respected mentor to a countless number of colleagues in his career. David has been married for 34 years to his wife Monica. David and Monica are blessed with three children and seven grandchildren. David's children describe him as the rock and foundation of their family. They praise him for his kindness, compassion, attentiveness, and love. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing David Shafer a happy retirement and thanking him for years of service in the affordable housing space. His work has improved the lives of many individuals and will continue to do so for years to come.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, as a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 441, a former labor lawyer, and current co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus, I rise today to honor Richard Trumka's life, work, and unwavering commitment to America's workers. The son of Pennsylvania coal miners, Trumka was a relentless and outspoken advocate for the rights of all workers. While he was a giant in the fight for workers' rights, he was also a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather. My thoughts remain with his family and all those who knew and loved him. As President of the AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka fought for justice. He helped make the labor movement more inclusive, standing with immigrant and undocumented workers and calling out racism. I was proud to work with Richard Trumka throughout my time in Congress, and most recently on the U.S. Citizenship Act. He understood that our immigration system enables employers to exploit migrant workers with impunity and undermine the rights of all workers. He knew that building power and transforming the lives of working people would require bold, structural changes to our nation's immigration and labor laws. From his time at the Mineworkers to his last days leading the AFL- CIO, Trumka created a legacy of championing labor. He made tangible changes that improved the lives of working families, enabling more people to work in safer conditions and receive better pay and benefits. I will miss Richard Trumka, as will so many who worked with him and countless others whose lives were made better by his passion and leadership. I'm deeply proud to have had the honor of calling him my friend. And I am confident that his memory will live on in the progress he made for workers across America.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, as co-chair of the Labor Caucus, I rise today to commend Ron Miller, the Executive Secretary of Los Angeles/ Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council, for his years of service. The Building and Construction Trades Council represents 150,000 skilled construction workers in 14 trades and 48 affiliated unions and district councils. Throughout his time with the council, Ron has helped advocate for workers and fought for education, opportunities, and jobs. Ron, a 43-year member of the United Association and Pipe trades, rose from the rank-and-file of the building trades. He served as business representatives for UA Plumbers Local 78 and became executive secretary of the Building and Construction Trades Council in 2012. After 9 years of leading the building trades, and 43 years of working for unions, Ron retired on August 1, 2021. As executive secretary, Ron led negotiations for billions of dollars' worth of project labor agreements with public and private entities. Through his work, Ron helped guarantee that a skilled and trained workforce from building trades affiliated unions would be on the job. Many of the agreements that Ron worked on renew into 2025 and beyond, ensuring that his work will continue to help workers for years to come. Ron led the building trades in fighting for change to benefit working people. Throughout his time, Ron helped the building trades in efforts to fund education, affordable housing, and mass transit. Under Ron's leadership, the Council created the nonprofit Apprenticeship Readiness Fund. This fund coordinates more than 15 grassroots programs that facilitate entry to apprenticeship and lifelong trades careers. In doing so, Ron has helped the building trades drive economic equity and guarantee that there are avenues to pass on skills to the next generation. Although Ron has retired, I am confident that his legacy will live on in the victories that he has fought hard for and delivered on. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Ron, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the American Rescue Plan, and I want to thank Chairman Neal for his work to ensure that this package keeps our promises. This rescue plan is transformative. It is the biggest investment in American families in a generation. It puts shots in arms, money in pockets, children back to school, and people in jobs. It invests in research, development, and production to get vaccines out to all Americans. It helps keep people in their homes and apartments. It puts food on the tables of families who are experiencing hunger. It supports 27 million children with an expanded child tax credit. It helps more than 17 million workers through the earned income tax credit. It lowers healthcare costs and helps families keep their health coverage through a provision in the bill that I coauthored with Congresswoman McBath. A vote for this bill is a vote for investing in the dignity of America's families. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this relief package.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Neal for his leadership in crafting such a big part of this bold package. It has been almost 1 year since our lives were turned upside down. In that time, we have lost loved ones, friends, and neighbors; and millions more families are out of options. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind. That is why this plan extends critical lifelines, so that families can meet their basic needs of putting food on the table and paying their rent while we finally get this pandemic under control. I don't know what fantasy la-la land my colleagues on the other side of the aisle live in, but families are hurting in this country, and this bill will help them. Mr. Speaker, you cannot stand up here and say you support the working class and families when you plan on voting ``no'' to helping them. I am proud that this package includes many good things that help deliver on behalf of families that are in need. But I am especially proud that this package includes a bill that I introduced with Congresswoman McBath from Georgia, which will provide those on unemployment benefits with a guaranteed subsidy for healthcare so they don't lose their coverage in the middle of the worst pandemic that our country has seen in 100 years. I am also pleased that this package includes an expansion and an improvement of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit that I have long championed. These robust resources will help us meet the moment. This rescue plan will keep families and children from falling into poverty.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, this is not the time for small thinking. My Republican colleagues don't get that. They oppose this bill, despite the fact that it is wildly popular even among Republicans. Their opposition, I think, is simply because it is a Democratic bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' for the American Rescue Plan so that all families can see better days ahead.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the tireless work of school counselors across the country and in the 38th district of California that I am honored to represent. These public servants help develop well-rounded students by guiding them through their academic, social-emotional, and career development. Marla Diaz, a counselor at El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, California, is exactly the type of champion students need. Marla has been a counselor since 2001 and has been instrumental in the lives of the students she works with in the school. Not only does Marla know all the students in her caseload of 400 but she also has created workshops and presentations for students and parents on the programs available at the school. Her leadership within the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences and Engineering programs has helped students learn and apply a hands-on approach to solving and designing solutions to health and engineering challenges, respectively. With her support, she has helped many students learn and find opportunities after high school. Her office is not only filled with her warmth but with pictures of former students, each one a life she has impacted and inspired. She is even known to have former students and families reach out for her guidance. Counselors like Marla, provide so much for our students. Not only do they help with career and college choices, but they are often the ones who help students cope with serious and common challenges of growing up, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, trauma, disciplinary problems, and more. Unfortunately, the average student- counselor-ratio is 430-to-1 nationally which is almost double the American School Counselor Association recommended ratio of 250-to-1. Our students deserve to have the support of school counselors, and school counselors deserve our support. That is why I am proud to introduce a resolution to designate the week of February I, 2021, through February 5, 2021, as National School Counseling Week. I ask that all Members join me in recognizing the extraordinary work and dedication our school counselors have done to better the lives of young students.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a trusted advisor, Melissa Kiedrowicz Ellison, who has been an invaluable member of my team for more than a decade. Melissa first joined my staff as an intern in the 111th Congress and has served the people of the district I represent as a Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, and as my Deputy Chief of Staff. Melissa has always been a steady hand, helping me carry out my duties as a member of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus during the 115th Congress. Melissa has been by my side through countless hours of markups and hearings on difficult issues before the Committee on Ways and Means. Her grace under pressure, expertise, and leadership have been extraordinary assets in guiding my legislative efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and help working families recover from the greatest challenge we have faced in generations. Melissa always strived to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the constituents we serve, and she ensured Team Sanchez worked with common purpose in the halls of Congress and in the 38th District to do so. Thanks to Melissa's tenacity, I was proud to secure passage of 13 bills through the U.S. House of Representatives on her watch. Melissa is known for her witty sense of humor, unfailing loyalty, and an appreciation for all things Disney. I am so proud that Melissa will be bringing that magic to the Ways and Means Committee as the new Director of Outreach and Member Services. Her rich knowledge of the Committee will be a boon to Chairman Neal and all of our members as we redouble our efforts to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and rebuild an economy that benefits all working families. Though Melissa is leaving my office, I am so glad she is remaining in the Ways and Means Committee family and she will forever be a valued family member of Team Sanchez. I cannot wait to see all her future accomplishments as her career unfolds.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to mourn the tragic loss of Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco from Montebello, California. Lance Cpl. Barranco, known to his loved ones and friends as ``Andy,'' proudly served our country as a United States Marine in the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Pendleton. On Thursday, July 30th, Lance Cpl. Barranco was training on an amphibious assault vehicle off the coast of San Clemente Island, California. Due to an incident that is still under investigation, the vehicle sank hundreds of feet into the water. Lance Cpl. Barranco and seven other Marines and one Sailor of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit were killed or presumed dead. Seven Marines were rescued following the incident, two of whom were injured. I offer my deepest condolences to Lance Cpl. Barranco's loved ones and friends for their heartbreaking loss. He exemplified the best of our armed forces and was known to his family, friends, and neighbors as an incredibly kind man who would do anything to help those in need. His sister, Selma, noted that he always wanted to serve his country, even as a boy when he dressed up like a G.I. Joe for Halloween. Though Lance Cpl. Barranco was taken before he had the chance to fully live out the promise of his life, he had already fulfilled so much of that promise as a rifleman in the United States Marine Corps. His passing is a loss not just for all who were lucky to know him, but for a nation for which he put his life on the line. He is survived by his two sisters, a niece and an unborn nephew, and both of his parents. I ask my colleagues to join me in keeping Lance Cpl. Barranco's loved ones in our prayers. As the investigation into the cause of this tragedy continues, I hope all the families of the fallen find peace during this painful time.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the Child Care for Economic Recovery Act. I want to thank Chairman Neal, Chairwoman Lowey, Chairman Davis, Chairwoman DeLauro, and Vice Chair Clark for working with me on this critical bill. Access to quality, affordable childcare was out of reach for many parents before the COVID pandemic, and now our childcare crisis is far worse. Families juggling full-time jobs and caring for their kids at home desperately need our help. And millions of healthcare, grocery store, and other essential workers who cannot work from home are out of options. Thankfully, this package includes a bill I coauthored with Chairman Davis to help States provide childcare for essential workers. It also provides long-term support to help working families afford childcare. Finally, it invests in facilities to help them adapt to serve families safely. This pandemic is nowhere near under control, and it isn't safe for many to return to work. But parents must have access to safe and affordable childcare before our economy can reopen. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and, again, I thank those involved with the writing of it.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart. Few men ever achieve what John Lewis has in his life, and few men do so while genuinely caring about every single person they meet. When I joined the Ways and Means Committee as a new member, John made a point to make me feel welcome. Despite all that he had accomplished in his life, John was never too busy or too important for you. John made such a profound impact on all of us because his kindness, humility, and gentle strength were rooted in his nature. He understood that his life's work could never be finished, and he never missed an opportunity to inspire younger generations to carry that work forward. I will never forget when John's inspiration healed deep wounds in my own community. In 2005, a high school in my district was struggling with racial tension between Black and Latinx students. Students were hopelessly divided, and John offered to visit the high school with me. He spoke to students and their parents and helped them understand that the civil rights movement benefited all disenfranchised communities. He reminded us that when minority communities allow ourselves to be pitted against each other, we all suffer. As serious as John was, he also had a lighthearted and fun side to him as well. I will never forget when he made a video of himself dancing ``Gangnam Style'' to encourage young people to vote. He was up for anything that promoted voting and civic engagement. John had a profound impact on my son, Joaquin, when we walked together in Selma across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Joaquin, who was 7 at the time, was able to walk with John Lewis and retrace the footsteps of history with a living legend. Joaquin was so moved that he read all of John's books and wrote a report on him during a unit on African- American history in school. I will always cherish the memories that my family and I were lucky enough to share with John. It is a cruel irony that we should lose John when the qualities that made him great are needed so desperately today in our government. But his passing is a heartbreaking reminder of what really matters. Because of John, we know that ridding our society of injustice requires all of us to get in good trouble. Because of John, we know we can withstand true adversity. History will remember John Lewis as a hero who made the world better for all. It is worth remembering that he did so by showing and reminding us all to be better versions of ourselves. I am so grateful to have called him a friend, a colleague, and a mentor. My husband and son were here this morning to say good-bye to Mr. Lewis for the last time. My son thought it was important to see him off on his journey to walk with angels. We will miss him dearly.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the HEROES Act. COVID-19 has ravaged communities, businesses, and families. We will be reeling from the economic aftershocks of the coronavirus for many months to come. The HEROES Act will provide desperately needed relief to stabilize our fragile economy and protect essential workers. It will put us on the right path to economic recovery, a recovery that reduces food insecurity, compensates essential workers for risking their lives to do their jobs, and help to prevent counties and municipalities from having to lay off the workers that we rely on the most. Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on the HEROES Act. Let's support our heroes.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 30th anniversary of the Baku Pogroms. These atrocities, in addition to pogroms committed in Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Maraga, should never be forgotten. During this horrific period, the Armenian population of the former Soviet Azerbaijan were the victims of state-sponsored violence. These acts of violence paved the way for outright war against Nagorno- Karabakh and decades of conflict. The legacy of this conflict persists today. The Soviet-sanctioned violence against the Armenian population in Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh earned strong condemnation from the United States Congress, which we are proud to uphold today. The systematic looting, maiming, and murder of Armenians permitted and encouraged by the Soviet Government remain a terrible stain on our world history. On this anniversary, it is vital that we recommit ourselves and United States policy to healing the pain caused by anti- Armenian aggression. I urge the Trump Administration to support life-saving programs like demining assistance in Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as officially recognize the Republic of Artsakh. It is past time to implement carefully crafted, bipartisan proposals to cement peace in the region. Only by doing so can we honor the memory of the countless victims of the anti-Armenian pogroms and their descendants. I am proud to stand with Armenians and Armenian-Americans on this solemn day.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the tireless work of school counselors across the country and in the 38th district of California that I am honored to represent. These public servants help develop well-rounded students by guiding them through their academic, social-emotional, and career development. Humberto Solorio, a counselor at California High School in Whittier, California, is exactly the type of champion students need. Humberto has been a counselor at the school for eighteen years and has been instrumental in the lives of the students he works with in the school and its Business Academy. He is also a Program Lead for the school's Fresh Air Mentoring program, which is a new creative and strategic intervention program at California High School. The program provides support to at-promise male students. Humberto, along with a team of counselors and teachers, help these students by teaching healthy coping strategies, planning for life after high school, and building authentic and genuine relationships. Counselors, like Humberto, provide so much for our students. Not only do they help with career and college choices, but they are often the ones who help students cope with serious and common challenges of growing up, including peer pressure, bullying, mental health issues, trauma, disciplinary problems, and more. Unfortunately, the average student-counselor-ratio is 442-to-1 nationally which is almost double the American School Counselor Association recommended ratio of 250-to- 1. Our students deserve to have the support of school counselors, and school counselors deserve our support. That is why I am proud to introduce a resolution to designate the week of February 3, 2020, through February 7, 2020, as National School Counseling Week. I ask that all Members join me in recognizing the extraordinary work and dedication our school counselors have done to better the lives of young students.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Madam Speaker, on Roll Call Number 23, On motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 943, To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible entities to carry out educational programs about the Holocaust, and for other purposes, I was unavoidably detained and missed the vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA. I was also unavoidably detained for Roll Call Number 24, On motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 4704 to direct the Director of the National Science Foundation to support multidisciplinary research on the science of suicide, and to advance the knowledge and understanding of the issues that may be associated with several aspects of suicide including intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to areas such as wellbeing, resilience, and vulnerability. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA.

Ms. SANCHEZ

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

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I am proud to vote today to protect consumers and improve our credit reporting system. I thank Chairwoman Waters and Representative Pressley for their hard work on this important legislative package, and I want to thank the Financial Services staff who have worked diligently behind the scenes. I would also like to thank the National Military Family Association, the National Consumer Law Center, and the Consumer Federation of America for their support of my amendment. My amendment today, which is based upon a bill that I have long championed, is focused on our friends and family in uniform who are serving abroad. Specifically, my amendment would allow servicemembers the ability to dispute negative information, or dings, on their credit report that occurred while they were serving in a combat zone or aboard a U.S. vessel. Those who are serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service would benefit from this amendment. This amendment isn't without guardrails. A credit reporting agency must be notified that the servicemember was on extended Active Duty at the time the hit to the credit report occurred. The credit reporting agency would then be required to conduct a review of the information and delete any negative information from the credit report should certain requirements be met. We must acknowledge the realities of deployment in today's technological world. Life goes on at home while our military members are deployed. Sometimes a bill payment is missed when an electronic payment agreement lapses, a credit card on file expires, or an unauthorized credit card is issued. This amendment allows for credit reports that more accurately reflect the full picture. This idea was born out of the incredible courage of two parents who faced an overwhelming grief that I hope never to experience. John Kelsall, president of my local chamber of commerce at the time, and his wife, Teri, a long-time southern California nonprofit leader, lost their son. Lieutenant Commander Jonas Kelsall, a proud Navy SEAL, was killed in Afghanistan in 2011. In order to keep their son's legacy alive, the Kelsalls founded a nonprofit veterans business incubator to assist U.S. military veterans upon their return to civilian life. Whenever I was back home, John and Teri would catch me up on the latest challenges and success stories from their organization. However, one hurdle kept coming up over and over and over again for these veteran would-be entrepreneurs. Terri and John shared stories of servicemembers and veterans who had trouble obtaining loans to help start their businesses. Why? Because while they were deployed, they missed payments, and this negatively affected their credit scores, even though, oftentimes, the delays were out of their control. I knew something had to be done. That is why, in 2014, I joined our colleague, Congressman Lamborn of Colorado, in introducing legislation to address this problem. I have been proud to strengthen the text of this bill over the years with the help of the National Consumer Law Center and military family support groups. Our country continues to ask so much from our men and women who serve in uniform. They deserve peace of mind during their Active Duty deployments. Mr. Chair, I urge all of my colleagues to support this amendment and the underlying legislative package, and I reserve the balance of my time.