Jackie Speier

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. That is absolutely correct. And it is really important for us to make the public aware that whether you know it or not you are probably signing these arbitration clauses every time you sign up for a particular program, a particular service, or you are being employed by a specific company.

Ms. SPEIER. Oftentimes it does. In one of the cases that our colleague from New York reflected on, it was costing her hundreds of thousands of dollars. In this case I am going to speak about, the patient, the client at the nursing home had to pay money, some $3,000 for the rental of the room in which the arbitration took place. So it is like a double slap in the face.

Ms. SPEIER. This legislation, and again, they are marking it up right now in the Judiciary Committee, is going to return to the consumer, return to the employee, the opportunity to not sign a forced arbitration agreement when they are at the most vulnerable position, typically when they are being hired or when they are requesting a service and, frankly, not knowing that the arbitration clause is there.

Ms. SPEIER. I thank the gentlewoman from Florida. I am going to end, Madam Speaker, with two cases because they are both egregious in their own right. One is about Irene Morissette, an 87-year-old Catholic nun. Now think about this for a minute. An 87-year-old Catholic nun was raped in her nursing home near Birmingham, Alabama. Police and medical records revealed a brutal attack. ``Police investigators found two semen stains in Morissette's bed and blood on the `inside rear area' of her green- and-pink-flowered pajama bottoms, which had been shoved underneath the mattress.'' Equally alarming was the article recalls how the medical examiner later wrote that Ms. Morissette was afraid to call anyone because she was afraid the assailant would be the one to come back to her room. Ms. Morissette told police in an interview several days after the attack that she felt like ``a piece of trash'' because she had honored her vow of chastity for over 6 decades and had lost something she had valued for her entire life. That one really breaks my heart. Due to a forced arbitration clause in the admissions contract she signed when she was admitted, Ms. Morissette was left with no choice. Her family could not pursue their claim in a public court of law, but was, rather, forced into arbitration. In the forced arbitration proceedings, the arbitrator invented outlandish arguments of hearsay and conjecture, including claims that Ms. Morissette did not appear ``upset enough'' about the rape for it to be believable. Mind you, there is evidence, there is DNA evidence. Ms. Morissette lost, and as a final insult received a bill for $3,000 to cover the cost of the room rental for the forced arbitration proceedings. No nursing home resident or family should ever have to go through what Ms. Morissette endured. That is why we are calling this particular piece of legislation the FAIR Act and urging a vote on the House floor. One last story that I would like to tell is of Rosette Pambakian. Ms. Pambakian was a senior executive at the dating app Tinder. She was one of the earliest hires and the longest standing female executive at Tinder, writing their very first press release. She was the head of marketing and communications, ran a department of more than 40 employees, and served as the face of the brand on panels and in the press. Ms. Pambakian had sued her former employer for sexual harassment and assault. Now Tinder is one of those dating apps. According to her lawsuit, former Match Group and Tinder CEO Gregory Blatt assaulted Ms. Pambakian in 2016 at a Tinder holiday party. Blatt made a lewd overture to her saying that he got a hard-on ``every time I look at you,'' and ``let's get out of here.'' Pambakian left the party and went to a colleague's hotel room with another coworker. Later in the night Blatt showed up. According to the lawsuit, he began forcibly groping her breasts and upper thighs and kissing her shoulders, neck, and chest without her consent in front of other subordinates. A meaningful investigation of the assault, which was required under company policies and California law, never happened. Pambakian alleges she was never even interviewed. Instead, she claims she was marginalized, subjected to additional harassing and offensive behavior, put on administrative leave, particularly accused of consenting to advances, calling it ``consensual cuddling,'' and finally, wrongfully terminated. The lawsuit further alleges IAC and Match tried to buy Ms. Pambakian's silence following the assault by offering her a higher salary and more stock options on the condition that she sign a nondisclosure agreement. She declined. According to her attorney, Rosette is bringing this action not only to right the personal wrong against her, but to stand with the many women in the tech industry and beyond who have been ``blamed and shamed into submission or silence.'' Match and Blatt have filed a motion to have the case sent to arbitration, even though Ms. Pambakian was forced to sign an arbitration agreement after the assault and after she rejected the proposed NDA. Her pursuit of justice is ongoing. I now yield to Congresswoman Schakowsky, the gentlewoman from Illinois, who will also be telling a story.

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) for her comments on this Special Order. As she said at the end, she is one of the loudest voices to make sure there is justice in this country. Madam Speaker, we could tell many more stories tonight, but I am going to close now by thanking all of my colleagues from the Democratic Women's Caucus for sharing the stories of women and men who are hurt by forced arbitration and demonstrating the human impact of this corrupt and abusive practice. We are eager to have the House of Representatives take a vote on the FAIR Act on the House floor because survivors deserve their day in court and workers deserve dignified and respectful workplaces. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, on the occasion of her well-deserved retirement, I rise to honor Beverly Elias Miller, an exceptional woman, an exemplary community leader and an extraordinary human being. In her 29 years on the coast of San Mateo county, Bev touched the lives of just about every coastsider and her contributions are ingrained in the fabric of this wonderful community. I feel very fortunate to count her as a close friend. We first met in 1992 at a Soroptimists award event that she, of course, choreographed. Originally from Marinette, Wisconsin, Bev launched her career in the banking industry in Spokane, Washington in 1967. Starting out as a trainee in the key punch department she learned almost all aspects of banking over the following 32 years. She came to the coast in 1991 and served as the branch manager of First National Bank before being promoted to vice president and regional manager. When the Bank of America shut down its earliest branch, located in the tiny rural town of Pescadero, Bev and local farmers and businesses came together to open a branch of her bank so that loans and banking services remained available. In an era before the term ``unbanked'' was popularized, Bev ensured that farm workers could cash their paychecks to pay the rent. Today, the successor to First National maintains that branch and the relationship with the community, so wise was Bev's investment of time and energy in the economic development of this little town. Grass never grew under her feet and, to prove the point, in 2000 she accepted the position as chief financial officer at San Francisco Brannan Street Wholesale Florist Incorporated. This is a very large wholesale operation in San Francisco, and a perfect work environment given Bev's love for flowers, particularly roses. Bev is an avid gardener and the roses in her garden look like award winners. It was also a natural transition from working with the coastside's farmers, many of whom sold their product at this facility. However, Bev never severed her relationship with coastside businesses and charities. Whether it's Farm Day, the Pumpkin Festival, Dream Machine, the Harbor Lights Boat Lighting Contest or any other signature event on the coast, Bev was present and most likely running the show. Several of these events served as fundraisers for charities, and Bev was always serving food, pouring drinks, or raising money. She also used the bully pulpit of the Chamber of Commerce to promote tourism so that her customers and our residents could thrive during good times and survive as recessions came and went. Throughout her time on the coast, and although she worked full time, she found time to volunteer long hours. She served on the board of directors of the San Mateo Event Center. For 12 years, she served on the board of directors of the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce. Since 1992 she has been the chair for Mel Mello Farm Day, a delightful annual luncheon that has brought together farmers, small business owners and community leaders for 50 years. It is one of my favorite events of the year and I always cherish spending that day with Bev. She is the main engine behind this elaborate luncheon, complete with local recipes for artichokes and Brussels sprouts. So ubiquitous is Bev's presence that the Chamber created an award to be given to a community leader. It's named the Bev Miller Community Service Award. A true civic volunteer, she also served on the board of her homeowner's association and keeps her home as immaculate as her garden. She is known for constantly redecorating her house. Bev simply can't sit still and is always in motion. One of the most difficult but important jobs in any community is serving on the board sofa nonprofit for disabled seniors. Bev served on the board of the Coastside Adult Day Health Center, a remarkable institution that has provided loving care for the elderly for decades. She was a judge for the Harbor Lights Boat Lighting Contest, served on the Dream Machine Committee, and always was the first volunteer to arrive at the Pumpkin Festival and the last to leave. Hundreds of thousands visit the festival each year. If you run a non-profit organization, you clearly want Bev on your board. Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to rise with me to celebrate the joy of life (goie de vivre) of Bev Miller. She's leaving the coastside and will be dearly missed. She is returning to Spokane unleashing an immediate rise in energy and optimism once she enters its community hall or local government center. She will stay engaged in any town that she calls home. Service to others is in her DNA and I wish her all the best in the next chapter in her life. I, along with countless coastsiders, will deeply miss her.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the City of San Mateo upon the occasion of the 125th anniversary of its incorporation. An election was held on September 1, 1894 and voters overwhelmingly supported becoming a city. With 125 votes supporting incorporation to 25 opposed, the election was certified on September 3rd and the first council-- known as a Board of Trustees--was convened the following day. One hundred twenty-five years later, San Mateo has about 110,000 residents and a place in our global economy. Every time you use Survey Monkey, you are relying upon a business in San Mateo. At one point in recent years, first Solar City and then Tesla were either founded or had major facilities in this community. GoPro is next door. These offices were originally occupied by Visa International, since relocated in a nearby community. If you have a Franklin Templeton fund in your 401(k), it was created and managed by the diligent financial experts at their headquarters in San Mateo. I love San Mateo because on its broad, leafy, streets you can find people and hear languages from around the globe. One third of the city's population was born outside the United States. About 94 percent of all households have a computer. About 90 percent have a broadband internet connection, and 51 percent of all residents have a bachelor's degree or higher. Gone are the days when horses galloped around the Bay Meadows race track. That area is now the site of high technology. Women and men are making modern bets in this part of the city, but this time on the emerging global economy rather than on successors to Secretariat. The history of San Mateo did not begin with the arrival of Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola in the 1700's. The Ohlone Native Americans lived in the area and the available evidence indicates that they largely lived in harmony with the land and water around them. There is also evidence of healthy trade between villages that were once on the San Mateo Coast and the edge of San Francisco Bay, including in San Mateo. The forested land and grasslands of the foothills were seen by the Spanish as a rich opportunity. First Spain, and then Mexico, granted extensive land holdings to early settlers. Farming and ranching were the norm. However, the admittance of California as a state in 1850 was soon followed by the arrival of extensive development. The railroad sparked the land rush, starting in 1863. Suddenly, what had been a weekend retreat for a handful became a suburban home for wealthy refugees from San Francisco. By the turn of the century, the early founder of Bank of America--A.P. Giannini--was making daily commutes from his San Mateo home to his bank in San Francisco. San Mateo is enormously patriotic. During the darkest days of the Vietnam War, and alone amongst cities in the Bay Area, the residents of San Mateo adopted a unit of the 101st Airborne, 1st Brigade, 327th Infantry Regiment Company A, and they have provided continuous support to the company ever since. Last year during the weekend of March 24th and 25th, the city celebrated yet another weekend in which the troops were hosted and they paraded through downtown. From its founding as a village in 1894 to its emergence as a 21st century powerhouse, residents of San Mateo have led spirited civic lives. Elections are rarely without significant discourse. Initiatives are sometimes sparked. Many, many smart and engaged people participate. Democracy is the better for it. San Mateo is a microcosm of the best of our nation. Rare is a day when a hawk does not soar overhead or a child exclaim in joy in Central Park. At the county hospital, a physician will save a life or counsel the despondent not to give up hope. Up the hill, students attend to their coursework at the College of San Mateo. Residents know that the best pie on the planet is to be had at Heidi Pies. If the otters at CuriOdyssey science museum don't bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart, you have no soul. One hundred twenty-five years after the city's founding, the kite surfers off the city's levee have it right. Go with the wind and find your way across the choppy waves. Excitement is in San Mateo, California, along with joy, genius, generosity, and tremendous pride in the United States of America.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, I am proud to speak in support of this bipartisan bill that contains the priorities of both parties. And while it wasn't unanimous, it does nothing to change our responsibilities to give military members and families bipartisan support. We did that in the Military Personnel Subcommittee, and I thank Ranking Member Kelly for his work. This bill contains two landmark achievements for our servicemembers and their families. It institutes a comprehensive fix to the festering problem of the so-called widow's tax, ensuring that surviving widows or widowers won't have their DOD and VA benefits offset. I was once a widow. I know the pain and the emptiness. We must take care of the spouses who sacrifice so much for our Nation. This bill rectifies a grievous denial of rights to servicemembers who are victims of malpractice at military medical facilities by allowing Active-Duty servicemembers to sue the Department for malpractice. For more than a half century, those who put their lives on the line have had fewer legal rights to sue for malpractice than prisoners in Federal prisons. This bill moves the ball forward on other personnel priorities by funding a 3.1 percent pay raise; shortening childcare backlogs; improving sexual assault prevention and response, including at the service academies; promoting spousal employment; creating a housing ombudsman; and giving TRICARE beneficiaries the same contraception coverage benefits as all other Americans. The bill also provides a historic 12 weeks of family and medical leave to Federal employees and congressional staff. Mr. Chairman, we owe servicemembers and their families. We owe them this important set of benefits.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chair, I yield myself 2 minutes. I rise today in support of my amendment to affirm the right of all people, regardless of race, religion, national origin, or sex, including sexual orientation or gender identity, to serve openly in our Armed Forces, so long as they meet gender-neutral standards. This debate affects real servicemembers who have served courageously. I want you to hear their stories. Navy Lieutenant Commander Blake Dremann, a trans man, has served for over 15 years and received the prestigious Navy Batchelder Award. Captain Jennifer Peace is a trans woman who has served for over 15 years and has deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq multiple times. Army Captain Alivia Stehlik, a trans woman, commissioned out of West Point over 10 years ago and received the Bronze Star Medal. Hospital Corpsman Third Class Akira Wyatt, a trans woman, has been in the Navy for over 7 years and has deployed across the globe. Finally, Staff Sergeant Patricia King is a trans woman who is retiring after 20 years, 20 years, and has led combat infantry units over three deployments in Afghanistan. Over the last 3 years, 14,000 transgender servicemembers have served openly and successfully. All five service chiefs affirmed they do not hamper lethality or cohesion. Malice and ignorance cannot stop us from giving medically necessary care to individuals brave enough to serve. We know what transgender servicemembers bring to the fight. Let them bring it. Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis), who has aptly represented this committee many times over.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 45 seconds to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Brown), my great colleague.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire how much time I have remaining.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my colleague from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy).

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Haaland), my great colleague.

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to close. How much time do I have left, Mr. Chairman?

Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Chairman, these are servicemembers who deserve our support. These are servicemembers who have already identified as trans members in our military. They provide no issues in terms of lethality or cohesion. They serve with distinction, with honor, and it is time for us to repeal this ill-advised amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Chair, we withdrew this particular amendment during the committee's disposition on the NDAA at the request of Mr. Kelly because I recognized that he had some important points to make. I think this addresses his concern. This particular amendment ensures access to high-quality education on family planning across military branches to give our servicemembers the tools they need to make the best healthcare decisions for themselves and their families. According to DOD estimates, the vast majority--some 95 percent--of all women serving in our military are of reproductive age, yet data from the Department of Defense survey shows insufficient access to comprehensive family planning education among our servicemembers. Inadequate family planning education puts servicemembers at high risk of unplanned pregnancies and creates uncertainty in the retention of critical personnel. Not surprisingly, research shows that Active-Duty servicemembers of reproductive age have a rate of unplanned pregnancies that is 60 percent--I repeat, 60 percent--higher than that of comparable women in the general population. Education on family planning is not just about contraception or pregnancy; it is also about preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and staying healthy and informed. This amendment would create a uniform education program across all branches of the military so that servicemembers receive current and medically accurate information. The education would be mandatory within the first year of service, and additional education may be offered at the discretion of each service branch. This is an issue of basic healthcare, but it is also a matter of military readiness and national security. Our troops deserve the very best, regardless of which branch of the military they serve. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis).

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Haaland).

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Chair, I thank the gentlewoman from Missouri for yielding. Let me be clear, we are already providing this service in the branches. They are not uniform. This would make it uniform. So whatever is being provided now would continue to be provided, but it would be consistent and uniform.

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Chair, I really object to my good friend and colleague's definition of what this is actually doing. We are already providing this kind of training, this kind of education to our servicemembers in all our branches. We do know that the Navy and Marines are considered to do it best, while the Army and Air Force have room for improvement. A recent study found that female Army soldiers have more children in their first 2 years of enlistment and miss more work than do females in other military branches, in part due to the differences in policies on birth control education. The Navy's approach is much more comprehensive, and it is on that basis that we want to have all of the services providing the same level of education as the Navy and Air Force. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Chair, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. SPEIER

Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, this is not my America. This is not the values of our America. Look at this picture. Now, some critics think that this should not have been published, but I disagree, because these people are not rapists or murderers or drug dealers. This is Oscar Ramirez and his 23-month-old daughter, Angie Valeria. They died on the Rio Grande River, Angie clinging to Oscar's neck and tucked under his shirt in a desperate attempt to survive. Their story isn't unique. Last Saturday, a mother and three children were found dead on U.S. soil. Children have been found freezing. We now know that many of them don't even have simple items of hygiene like soap and toothbrushes. A group of women from my district, 20 of them, created a nonprofit called Bay Area Border Relief. They are in McAllen right now. They took 490 boxes of clothes, and it was actually reduced in less than 2 weeks. We need to address this issue now.

Ms. SPEIER

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