Terri Sewell

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 63rd anniversary of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and to honor the lives of four little girls whose lives were taken in one of the darkest chapters of our Nation's history. On the morning of September 15, 1963, four young girls--Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Morris Wesley-- were in the basement of the 16th Street Baptist Church preparing for Sunday school. They were daughters. They were sisters. They were classmates and friends. They had their whole lives ahead of them. Just before 11 o'clock that morning, 19 sticks of dynamite planted underneath the church by members of the Ku Klux Klan exploded. The blast tore through the church, and beneath the rubble were the bodies of four innocent little girls. Sarah Collins Rudolph, Addie Mae Collins' sister, was also in the basement that morning. She survived the bomb but suffered severe injuries, including the loss of her right eye. The tragedy did not end with the bomb exploding. As Black Alabamians took to the streets to demand justice, they were met with violence and brutality, resulting in the loss of two more children: 16-year-old Johnny Robertson and 13-year-old Virgil Ware. For too long, their families were denied the justice that they deserved. It took more than three decades before the perpetrators of this heinous attack were finally brought to justice. Six decades later, we must remember that these were not simply events in a history book. These were children whose lives were stolen because of the color of their skin. While we can never undo the pain of that day, we can ensure that these precious lives are never ever forgotten. Mr. Speaker, in 2013, I was honored to have my very first bill passed by Congress. That legislation awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the four little girls. I will never forget standing in the Oval Office as President Barack Obama signed the bill into law on the 50th anniversary of the bombing. It was a very personal moment for me because I know that those four little girls did not get the opportunity to grow up and pursue their dreams. And yet, 63 years later, I had the extraordinary privilege of walking these Halls as Alabama's first Black Congresswoman. I never forgot that I am here because they are not. Their sacrifice helped galvanize a movement that changed the course of our Nation. Their memory strengthens the resolve of the foot soldiers who march for justice. It helped inspire the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Their legacy brought America closer to living up to its promise of equality and justice for all. But, Mr. Speaker, remembering those four little girls cannot simply be about looking backward. It must also be about what we do today because the freedoms that they died for are not guaranteed. Every generation has a responsibility to protect them and to advance it. That is why we must teach our children the truth about our history. It is why we must never forget what happened on that day and that we must protect the sacred right to vote. It is why we must continue the fight for the equal justice and equal opportunity of every American. It is why, on this anniversary, we must recommit ourselves to the unfinished work of the civil rights movement. Today, I ask my colleagues to pause and remember four precious children: Addie Mae Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Morris Wesley. May we honor their memory not only with our words but with our actions, and may we forever remember that the freedoms we enjoy today come at a tremendous cost--costs that are borne by Americans. We must uphold their legacy, extend their legacy, and we must never ever forget.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr., who passed away on July 17, 2026, at the age of 83. Mr. Moss was born on October 25, 1942, to the late Johnny Moss, Sr., and Ollie Mae Moss and was raised in a Christian home by his grandmother, Berta Moss, in Selma, Alabama. Mr. Moss began his educational journey in the Segregated Selma City School System. Following his graduation, he joined the United States Navy where he served his country for four years on the Kitty Hawk. He later matriculated at Nashville School of Business, in Nashville, Tennessee. Dedicated to giving back to the community that nurtured him, Mr. Moss began his career of service to the Selma and Dallas County community as the Director of the Don Bosco Neighborhood Service Center. After his departure from the Selma Dallas Economic Opportunity Board, Mr. Moss became the first Black Director of the Selma Housing Authority, where he served for more than thirty years. Before his retirement in 2005, Mr. Moss's tenure as Director of the Selma Housing Authority was marked by his efforts to improve the lives of residents both inside and outside the home through youth programming and adult resident training. His contributions were recognized when the Moss Court housing for seniors was named in his honor. Outside of his career, Mr. Moss was a mentor, teacher, and community leader who served as the City of Selma Planning Commission Chairperson and the Dallas-Selma Community Action Agency President, and was a member of the Wallace Community Foundation, George Evans Special Needs Foundation, Historic Brown Chapel AME Church Preservation Society Inc., Head Start Board, Rotary Club, 12 High Club, Chesterfield Club, and others. A committed servant of God, Mr. Moss confessed Christ at an early age and joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church. After his marriage to Jeanette Eileen Martin in 1968, he and his wife became members of Brown Chapel AME Church, where he remained a devoted member until his passing. Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr., is preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Moss, II, and Ollie Mae Moss; and his grandmother, Berta Moss. He is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette Moss; his sons, Johnny Moss, III (Sharonoa), and Jarvis Moss; his grandchildren, Jarvis Moss, Jr., Keriana Moore, Jada Moss, Evan Moss, Jackson Moss, Jace Riddle, and Jacelyn Riddle; his siblings, Odessa Brown (Tommy), Lewis Moss, Jeffery Moss, Broderick Moss, Lois Moss, and Glenda Williams; his sisters-in- law, Mabel Reddick, Rosalyn (Clarence) Hatcher, Doris Rush; his god daughters, Jatavi Reddick-Hardy, Tamela Glover, Danielle Smith, Ayannah Joi Cleary, Ashlyn ``Kam'' Goodwin; those he had deepest gratitude and appreciation to, Coren Wilson (Nephew and Caregiver) and Velton Moss (Nephew); and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors, and friends. On a personal note, Mr. Moss was more than a distinguished public servant, he was a cherished family friend. The Moss and Sewell families have long shared a close bond rooted in our love for Selma and our shared commitment to serving others. Mr. Moss dedicated his life to making our community stronger. Whether leading the Selma Housing Authority, mentoring young people, serving his church, or lending his wisdom to countless civic organizations, Mr. Moss never sought recognition, only opportunities to serve. My heart is with his beloved wife, Jeanette, his sons, Mayor Johnny Moss, III, and Jarvis Moss, Sr., and the entire Moss family. May they find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on not only in the institutions he helped build, but in the countless lives he touched. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 283.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear friend and extraordinary woman of faith, and a living testament to courage and resilience: Ms. Yolanda Jackson. This week, the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham will present Yolanda with its Iron Strong Award for her courageous battle with breast cancer. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. I have known Yolanda for more than 20 years. We became fast friends as neighbors in 2005, after we moved into the same apartment complex in Birmingham, Alabama. But our connection actually began years earlier. While working as a human resource consultant for the city of Selma in the early nineties, Yolanda became known to my mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell--Selma's first Black city councilwoman--and she adored Yolanda. It was a wonderful reminder of how small and how special our Alabama family can be. Over the past two decades, we have celebrated life's blessings together, and we stood beside one another through some of life's toughest moments. Yolanda has been there for me, just as I try to be there for her, and I am extraordinarily grateful for her friendship. My life is richer because she is in it. Not long after moving to Birmingham in 2005, Yolanda was diagnosed with breast cancer. She would go on to face two more cancer diagnoses in 2022 and again in 2024--three cancer diagnoses, three difficult battles, and three remarkable victories. Throughout every step of that journey, Yolanda received exceptional care from the physicians, nurses, and staff at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. Her final treatment was in October of 2025. Her treatment was a success. Today, I am grateful to say that she remains in remission. When you ask Yolanda where she finds her strength, her answer is simple: her faith. She believes that even at our hardest moments, God is at work, and that through suffering, he walks beside us, gives us strength to endure, and uses our trials to shape our character, deepen our faith, and make us into the people he wants us to be. Yolanda has lived that belief every day of her life. She encourages everyone facing cancer to hold on to hope, to stay positive, and never stop fighting. She believes we all need someone to love, something to look forward to, and something to live for. For Yolanda, that purpose shines brightest through her beautiful family. In 2019, she welcomed and adopted two precious twin boys, Ayden and Jayden, into her life. Last year, she opened her heart again by adopting their younger brother, Kyrie. Those three boys are truly blessed to have such a loving, faithful, and determined mom. Today, we celebrate Yolanda. We also celebrate the extraordinary work of the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. Their groundbreaking research, innovative treatments, and compassionate care have transformed countless lives, and Yolanda's story is a powerful testament to their mission. Today, we celebrate an iron strong survivor, my dear friend Yolanda Jackson. More than that, we celebrate an iron strong woman, a faithful servant, a devoted mother, loyal friend, and an inspiration to everyone blessed enough to know her. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Yolanda on this well-deserved honor. Her courage, her faith, and her unwavering hope inspires everyone who has been privileged to know her. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Ms. Yolanda Jackson and wishing her beautiful family many years of continued health, happiness, and God's abundant blessings. I love you, Yolanda.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs. Lula Hatcher, who passed away on July 3, 2026, at the age of 93. Mrs. Hatcher was born on December 17, 1932, in Selma, Alabama, to the late Mr. Will, Sr. and Mrs. Lannie Travis. Mrs. Hatcher was a respected entrepreneur, community leader, and lifelong resident of Selma, Alabama. Best known as the owner and matriarch of Lannie's Bar-B-Q Spot, she dedicated her life to preserving one of Alabama's most celebrated family-owned restaurants while serving her community with faith, generosity, and southern hospitality. When she was just 12 years old, her mother, Lannie Travis, opened Lannie's Bar-B-Q Spot on Minter Avenue. From its humble beginnings, the restaurant grew into a local institution for its authentic barbecue, warm atmosphere, and commitment to treating every customer like family. Under Mrs. Hatcher's leadership, in 2025 the restaurant was named one of USA Today's Restaurants of the Year, being the only Alabama restaurant to earn the distinction that year. Beyond her accomplishments in business, Mrs. Hatcher was admired for her unwavering Christian faith, compassionate spirit, and commitment to the people of Selma, Alabama, where she served as a mentor and role model and encouraged others to pursue their dreams while remaining grounded in faith and service. Perhaps her greatest legacy is the example she set--an example of tradition rooted in love, perseverance, and excellence. Mrs. Lula Hatcher is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Mr. Will, Sr. and Mrs. Lannie Travis; her husband, Charlie Hatcher, Sr.; and her daughter, Carolyn Hickman (Phillip). She is survived by her loving family, including her seven children; her nineteen grandchildren; her twenty-five great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors, and friends. On a personal note, I have fond memories of enjoying Lannie's Bar-B-Q from a very young age. I cannot remember a single Sewell family gathering that was not catered by Lannie's, and whenever my aunts and uncles came to visit Selma, they never left without coolers packed with its famous barbecue to take home. Mrs. Lula Hatcher and her family created more than a beloved restaurant--they built a place where everyone felt welcome and the spirit of our community shined through. Her warmth, faith, and dedication to preserving her family's legacy made Lannie's a Selma institution and a source of pride for us all. I will always be grateful for the joy and fellowship she brought to our family, and I know her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all who were shaped by her compassion and hospitality. May they find comfort in knowing that her legacy endures--in the delicious food she served, in the shining example she set, and in the countless lives she touched. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs. Lula Hatcher for her culinary contributions to the City of Selma, the State of Alabama, and our Nation.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs. Lula Hatcher, who passed away on July 3, 2026, at the age of 93. Mrs. Hatcher was born on December 17, 1932, in Selma, Alabama, to the late Mr. Will Sr. and Mrs. Lannie Travis. Mrs. Hatcher was a respected entrepreneur, community leader, and lifelong resident of Selma, Alabama. Best known as the owner and matriarch of Lannie's Bar-B-Q Spot, she dedicated her life to preserving one of Alabama's most celebrated family-owned restaurants while serving her community with faith, generosity, and southern hospitality. When she was just 12 years old, her mother, Lannie Travis, opened Lannie's Bar-B-Q Spot on Minter Avenue. From its humble beginnings, the restaurant grew into a local institution for its authentic barbecue, warm atmosphere, and commitment to treating every customer like family. Under Mrs. Hatcher's leadership, in 2025 the restaurant was named one of USA Today's Restaurants of the Year, being the only Alabama restaurant to earn the distinction that year. Beyond her accomplishments in business, Mrs. Hatcher was admired for her unwavering Christian faith, compassionate spirit, and commitment to the people of Selma, Alabama, where she served as a mentor and role model and encouraged others to pursue their dreams while remaining grounded in faith and service. Perhaps her greatest legacy is the example she set--an example of tradition rooted in love, perseverance, and excellence. Mrs. Lula Hatcher is preceded in death by her beloved parents, Mr. Will, Sr. and Mrs. Lannie Travis; her husband, Charlie Hatcher, Sr.; and her daughter, Carolyn Hickman (Phillip). She is survived by her loving family, including her seven children; her nineteen grandchildren; her twenty-five great-grandchildren: and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors, and friends; and on a personal note, I have fond memories of gathering with family and friends at Lannie's Bar-B-Q Spot. Mrs. Lula Hatcher and her family created more than a beloved restaurant--they built a place where everyone felt welcome and the spirit of our community shine through. Her warmth, faith, and dedication to preserving her family's legacy made Lannie's a Selma institution and a source of pride for us all. I will always be grateful for the joy and fellowship she brought to so many families, and I know her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and all who were shaped by her compassion and hospitality. May they find comfort in knowing that her legacy endures--in the delicious food she served, in the shining example she set, and in the countless lives she touched. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs. Lula Hatcher for her culinary contributions to the City of Selma, the State of Alabama, and our Nation.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member McGovern for allowing me to speak. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to attaching the SAVE America Act to the NDAA. This week, Mr. Speaker, marks the 250th anniversary of our Nation's independence. Yet, instead of working to strengthen our democracy, Trump and Republicans are hell-bent on undermining it. While we should be celebrating how far we have come since the days of Jim Crow voter suppression, Republicans are working to drag us back. Old battles have indeed become new again. Mr. Speaker, the so-called SAVE America Act is nothing more than a scheme devised by my colleagues across the aisle to save themselves from accountability at the ballot box. It is a voter suppression bill designed to block millions of eligible voters from casting their ballots. Let me be perfectly clear. We all agree that it is important for citizens to verify who they are during the voting process, but this bill is not about voter ID. It is so extreme that even a valid driver's license would not be enough to register to vote. This bill is about one thing and one thing only: making it harder for Americans to vote and easier for Republicans to win. Here are the facts: Rampant voter fraud is a myth. It does not exist. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in Federal elections. In fact, under current law, noncitizens would face up to 5 years--5 years in prison for attempting to vote in Federal elections, and they would even risk being deported. That is why the fact of the matter is that noncitizens voting is roughly 0.0001 percent according to the Brennan Center. This legislation is an egregious attempt to solve a problem that is not based in reality. The solution to this nonexistent problem is not to prevent eligible voters from voting and accessing the ballot box. Mr. Speaker, roughly half of all Americans do not have a valid passport. In my home State of Alabama, that number is even higher. More than 72 percent of Alabamians do not have a passport. To get one, most Americans would have to pay an application fee of $130. Mr. Speaker, this is nothing more than a modern-day poll tax. There are also 69 million women who have changed their last names after getting married. Those women would not be able to vote using their birth certificate. Under this voter suppression bill, up to 21 million eligible Americans would be blocked from exercising their right to vote. The SAVE Act also requires States to purge their voter rolls on a consistent basis without requiring commonsense measures, like requiring officials to notify voters before removing them from the voter roll. That means that eligible voters would risk learning that they had been removed from the polls on election day. Mr. Speaker, keeping voter rolls accurate is important, but it must be done by using quality data and best practices to ensure that citizens are not inadvertently removed from the voter roll. In my home State of Alabama, an effort was made to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls using data from the State's department of labor. The data was highly incorrect, and what we found is that 93.8 percent of the voters removed were U.S. citizens--U.S. citizens being removed because my State thought that they were using something accurate in removing voters from the voter roll. Let me say that again: 93.8 percent of the voters removed were U.S. citizens. Mr. Speaker, this is very personal to me. I am a proud daughter of Selma, Alabama, and the Representative of Alabama's voting rights and civil rights district. It was in my hometown 61 years ago where hundreds of foot soldiers like John Lewis shed blood on a bridge for the equal right of all Americans to vote. They marched. They bled. They prayed, and some even died for the right to vote. The so-called SAVE Act makes a mockery of their legacy. As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we in Congress should be working to make voting more accessible, not less. Our democracy functions best when every citizen is given an opportunity to participate in our elections. I urge all my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the previous question, ``no'' on the rule, and to oppose any efforts by President Trump and Republicans to suppress the voting rights of Americans.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker. I rise today with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus at a moment of profound consequence for our democracy--a moment when Black representation in America is under attack. What we are witnessing is about more than just a court case. It is about more than just a political disagreement. We are witnessing a coordinated effort to dismantle the hard-fought gains of the Civil Rights Movement and take us back to the Jim Crow era. Mr. Speaker, this is a five-alarm-fire. When the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act in the Callais decision, they told states that it is okay to dilute the voices of Black voters if it means helping Republicans cling to power. Think about that. They gave states a license to discriminate in the name of partisanship. Now, unless Congress acts, we could be on the verge of witnessing the largest reduction in Black representation since Reconstruction. In my home state of Alabama, the consequences are already being felt. For years, Alabama's congressional maps have been at the center of a legal battle over the rights of Black Alabamians. Federal courts repeatedly found that state leaders intentionally discriminated against Black voters and illegally diluted their political power. In fact, the congressional map Alabama is now seeking to implement was struck down not once, but twice, for intentlonally discriminating against Black voters. Despite those findings, the Supreme Court has now cleared the way for Alabama officials to put that very map back into place. Let that sink in. Alabama now has a congressional map that federal courts determined was drawn with discriminatory intent--a map with only one seat out of seven where Black voters can elect candidates of their choice. In a state where Black voters make up nearly one-third of the electorate, that is unacceptable. I want to be clear--This is not just an issue for Black voters. This is an attack on every American. They may be targeting Black voters today, but no one is safe when a handful of extremists can decide whose voices matter and whose do not. This is about whether every American, regardless of race or zip code, will have an opportunity to make their voice heard. It is about whether we are willing to learn from our Nation's history or repeat our mistakes. The struggle for voting rights has never been easy. From Selma to Montgomery, brave Americans shed blood, sweat, and tears to secure the right to vote. They marched, they organized, and some gave their lives so that future generations could participate fully in our democracy. We owe it to them to continue that fight. That is why I will never stop working to restore the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. It is why we must revise and pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act without delay. Here is what those state legislators need to understand: They can draw unfair maps, but they cannot silence our voices. Come November, we will send a message that cannot be ignored--that every voice deserves to be heard in our democracy. We will not give up. And we will not go back.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with the City of Orrville and Dallas County community in celebrating the grand opening of the Orrville Public Library, which took place on Saturday, June 6, 2026 in Orrville, Alabama. Public libraries are among our Nation's most invaluable institutions. They not only serve as gathering places where children can develop a love of reading, students can pursue academic achievement, and job seekers can gain critical skills, they also provide access to information and education that is essential for building strong communities and providing pathways to success. The grand opening of the Orrville Public Library represents a significant investment in the future of Orrville and Dallas County, creating a space where residents can access educational resources, technology, and community services. This achievement stands as a testament to the determination and collaborative spirit of local leaders, advocates, educators, and community members whose vision and dedication helped bring this long- awaited project from concept to reality. On a personal note, the grand opening of the Orrville Public Library holds special significance to me. As a child, books were my window to the wider world. Through them, I traveled to distant places, encountered novel ideas, and considered new possibilities that helped shape who I am today. I know that I got my love of reading from my mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, who served as a librarian for the Selma City School System for 36 years. She understood the transformative power of reading, and she taught me that libraries are more than just buildings, they are centers of learning and opportunity. For that reason, I was honored to secure $500,000 in the Fiscal Year 2023 federal budget for the construction of this new municipal public library. I was also proud to donate a collection of curated books obtained through the Library of Congress Surplus Books program to ensure a robust set of reading materials as the library welcomes its first patrons. It is deeply gratifying to be present to see that vision realized in the library's grand opening. May the Orrville Public Library stand as a lasting symbol of what can be achieved when a community comes together around a shared vision. I commend everyone who contributed to making this project a reality and look forward to seeing the positive impact this institution will have on Orrville and Dallas County for future generations. Whether residents come to read their first story, complete a school project, explore a new career path, or simply find a welcoming place to learn and grow, this library will serve as a foundation for enrichment, opportunity and lifelong learning for years to come. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the grand opening of the Orrville Public Library.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in great support of H.R. 6506, the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act. Before I address this bill, I would like to take a moment to discuss the President's $1.8 billion slush fund, which was created by using money from American taxpayers, a fund based on a meritless lawsuit that will be used to pay his friends and allies. Yet, the Republican House remains silent. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record an amicus brief filed on Monday by me, my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee, and the Litigation Task Force, the link which can be found at: Https://litigationtaskforce.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/ litigationandresponse.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/54- 1.pdf.

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, the Taxpayer Due Process Enhancement Act will strengthen taxpayers' rights when the IRS uses a levy to collect unpaid taxes by making technical fixes to the Tax Court's jurisdiction. In the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, language was added to give taxpayers due process and an opportunity for review of IRS collection cases involving levies. However, a recent U.S. Supreme Court case has highlighted the need to revisit this section. In this recent case, a taxpayer paid estimated taxes that were applied to her ex-husband's account instead of her own account. The IRS then proceeded to levy her property for the unpaid taxes. She challenged this action in court, but while the case was pending, the IRS offset her later-year refund against the unpaid taxes until it eventually reached zero. At that point, the IRS sought to dismiss the case and won. The case was then appealed to the United States Supreme Court. The Court held that the current statute limits the Tax Court's jurisdiction to only reviewing whether a levy should proceed. Since there was no longer a levy, she lost her ability to argue about the underlying taxes. Worse, she also lost her later-year refunds because of the statute of limitations being expired. At every step of the process, Mr. Speaker, the system failed this taxpayer. Our bill will fix this problem. First, while disputing a levied case in the Tax Court, our bill tolls the statute of limitations for filing refund claims. Second, while the case is pending, the IRS is prohibited from using later-year refunds to offset the taxpayer's liability without the individual's consent. Finally, this bill will give the Tax Court jurisdiction over the levy and the underlying tax liability. The bill also would allow the Tax Court to retain jurisdiction even if the IRS abandons the levy. I thank my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Moran), for his steadfast leadership in this area. I thank him for his generous support, and I thank both of our staff for their hard work on this bill. We must work together to ensure that the IRS does not abuse its levy authority and that taxpayer rights are clearly defined and protected. I think it is very important that we make commonsense reforms like this, and I am happy that they are bipartisan. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purposes of closing. Mr. Speaker, I thank my amazing, good friend, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith, for his leadership, and Ranking Member Neal, who has always shown his support for the American people. It is an honor to sit on a committee that can come together with bipartisan legislation like this. H.R. 6506 is a commonsense bill that will help taxpayers and the courts. The bill passed 41-0 in the Ways and Means Committee, showing bipartisan support for protecting the due process rights of taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill and pass this bill into law, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to sound the alarm about the crisis unfolding before our eyes: the systemic dismantling of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Let me begin by thanking the gentlewoman from Virginia for leading this Special Order hour and my colleagues of the CBC for their steadfast leadership in this fight. The Congressional Black Caucus has always stood on the front lines in defense of democracy. Tonight's Special Order hour comes at a time when that leadership is urgently needed. For me this fight is personal. I grew up in Selma in the shadow of the civil rights movement. I represent the historic cities of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Marion, and the Black belt. Our communities carry the scars of Bloody Sunday, the Birmingham church bombings, firehoses, police dogs, and violent resistance to the simple idea that Black Americans deserve the full promise of citizenship. People in my district bled for the right to vote. Some died for it. Now, six decades later, extremists are trying to drag this country backward. They are trying to erase our hard-fought progress and silence the voices of the very communities that marched, that sacrificed, and that organized to make American democracy real for everyone. The Voting Rights Act is one of the greatest achievements in American history. It transformed this Nation. It broke the back of Jim Crow voter suppression, and it opened the doors of political participation for millions of Americans who had been locked out of democracy because of the color of their skin. Over the last decade, we have watched that landmark law be chipped away, piece by piece by piece. In 2013, the Supreme Court's disastrous decision in Shelby v. Holder gutted the heart of the Voting Rights Act by striking down the preclearance formula that protected communities with a long history of racial discrimination in voting. What happened next? Exactly what voting rights advocates warned would happen. States across the South rushed to impose restrictive voting laws. They closed polling stations, purged voter rolls, and redrew maps designed to dilute Black political power. Now, with the Court's recent decision in Callais, we are witnessing yet another dangerous step backward--another attack on the principle of fair representation and equal justice under the law. Within hours of that decision, Republican State lawmakers rushed to eliminate majority Black districts across the South, including in my home State of Alabama, where voters will now be forced to live under a map that was previously struck down for intentional discrimination against Black voters. You guessed it: The Supreme Court just ruled that the State of Alabama can go back to a map that intentionally discriminated against Black voters. These decisions send a dangerous message: that protections won during the civil rights movement are somehow negotiable, that the rights secured on the Edmund Pettus Bridge can be weakened, narrowed, or ignored. I reject that. The people I represent reject that. History rejects that. We cannot allow a handful of extremists, whether on the bench or in State legislatures, to rewrite history and reverse generations of progress. The right to vote is precious, John Lewis told us, almost sacred. Without the vote, communities lose their voice. Without the vote, power becomes concentrated in the hands of a few. Without the vote, democracy itself is in danger. That is why we must reform and reintroduce the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore, reform, and modernize the protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Our bill would rebuild the preclearance system that was destroyed by Shelby. It would once again require jurisdictions with repeated voting rights violations to prove that changes to election laws are not discriminatory. It would be reformed to do away with partisan gerrymandering that was unleashed in the Callais case. Let us be clear: The legislation bears the name of John Lewis because he understood better than anyone else that democracy is not self- executing. It requires courage. Democracy requires vigilance. It requires action. Only Congress can rewrite the law so that partisan gerrymandering is no longer the law of the land. Only Congress can act to overturn what the Supreme Court did, and we must act now. If we fail to meet this moment, future generations will ask how we allowed the gains of the civil rights movement to be dismantled on our watch. After all of this, I still believe in the promise of America. I believe in the legacy of those foot soldiers in Selma. I believe in the courage of ordinary people who refused to be pushed backward. I believe that if we stand together, organize together, and fight together, we can protect the sacred right to vote for generations to come. I submit to you this: If your vote didn't matter, they wouldn't be working so hard to take it away. We have to vote like our lives depend upon it because they do. We are not going back--not today, not tomorrow, not ever. We don't want just some representation or no representation. We want fair representation. In the State of Alabama, African Americans are 28 percent of the vote. There are seven seats, and we deserve two. We want nothing less. We will march. We will fight. We will organize. We will vote until victory is won. Join me in Montgomery, Alabama, for the All Roads Lead to the South National Day of Action this Saturday, May 16, at 1 p.m. in Montgomery, Alabama, at the foot of the State capitol. We will stand up, stand tall, and we will fight back because, guess what. We are not--not-- going back.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, as we begin the 94th Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Southeastern Regional Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, I rise to honor the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Tracey Morant Adams, the 27th southeastern regional director. From her initiation into the campus of University of Montevallo to her tenure as the 27th southeastern regional director, Tracey has embodied the values of sisterhood, scholarship, and service to all mankind. During her 4-year tenure, she has led the work of over 13,000 members across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. She has launched signature initiatives that have strengthened chapters, expanded voter engagement, and advanced economic empowerment. Tracey's leadership is matched by her extraordinary professional achievements as well. On a personal note, Tracey and I share more than just titles and service. We have a 30-year friendship and sisterhood. As I reflect on Tracey's service, I cannot help but think of my mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, the 18th southeastern regional director. Mom would be so proud to see how Tracey has followed in her footsteps, protecting the legacy of our beloved sorority while boldly imagining our future. I can almost hear my mother saying: Well-done, my daughter. Well-done. On behalf of the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Tracey Morant Adams, the 27th southeastern regional director on occasion of the 94th southeastern regional conference in Birmingham, Alabama. We are so proud of Tracey. Well-done. Well-done. Well-done. Mr. Speaker, ahead of the 94th Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority South Eastern Regional Conference in Birmingham, I rise today to honor the extraordinary leadership of Dr. Tracey Morant Adams who currently serves as the 27th South Eastern Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. From her initiation into the Mu Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in 1985 on the campus of the University of Montevalllo, Tracey has embodied the values that Alpha Kappa Sorority, Incorporated has carried for more than a century: sisterhood, scholarship, and service to all humankind. Tracey has carried those values with grace throughout her tenure as the 27th South Eastern Regional Director. In this role, she guides nearly 13,000 members and more than 114 graduate and undergraduate chapters in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. During her 2022 to 2026 administration, Tracey launched signature initiatives that strengthened chapters, expanded voter engagement, advanced economic empowerment, and deepened our commitment to health, equity, and educational excellence. Under her leadership, the Southern Region has not only grown in numbers but in impact--touching campuses, churches, rural communities, and city neighborhoods across our beloved South. Tracey has led with grace, vision, and an unwavering commitment to service. Her leadership reflects the very best of the beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha sisterhood--uplifting communities, empowering women, and advancing a legacy grounded in sisterhood and service. Her leadership within Alpha Kappa Alpha is matched by her extraordinary professional accomplishments, As Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Community Development and Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at Renasant Bank, Tracey has opened doors of opportunity for small business, invested in affordable housing, and ensured that corporate success is measured by how many lives are lifted. She proves every day that excellence in the boardroom can walk hand in hand with compassion in the community. On a personal note, Tracey and I share more than titles and public service--we share more than thirty years of friendship and sisterhood. We have prayed together, worked together, and dreamed together about what our sorority and our communities could become. I have watched her lead with humility, listen with intention and act with courage. She is the kind sister who shows up before she is asked and stays long after the work is done. As I reflect on Tracey's service, I cannot help but think of my mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, the 18th Southeastern Regional Director. Mom believed that leadership in Alpha Kappa Alpha was sacred trust. She would be so proud to see how Tracey has followed in her footsteps-- protecting our legacy while boldly imagining our future. I can almost hear Mama saying, ``Well done, my daughter--well done.'' Tracey stands in a long line of visionary women, yet she has carved a path uniquely her own. She has reminded us that pink and green are not just colors; they are a call to action. Because of her, more girls see themselves as scholars, more families have access to resources, and more communities know that Alpha Kappa Alpha walks beside them. On behalf of the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Dr. Tracey Morant Adams, the 27th South Eastern Regional Director. She has made us all exceptionally proud.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, the big, ugly bill or, as it has been renamed, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, is not working for families in my district. In fact, on this tax day, I cannot believe that my Republican colleagues are on the floor today celebrating a bill that is exploding the deficit by $4.2 trillion, deepening income inequality, stripping healthcare from working families, and taking food off the tables of needy children. Mr. Speaker, every day I hear from my constituents around Alabama's Seventh Congressional District. They are talking about the fact that nothing seems affordable anymore. What do I say to the single mother in my district who is losing Medicaid coverage for her child because of this bill? What do I say to the elderly neighbor who no longer qualifies for SNAP or to the rural communities I represent who will lose their only hospital because of this bill? I am deeply saddened because Republicans could have chosen another path. Instead of slashing $1 trillion from Medicaid, instead of slashing $500 billion from Medicare, they could have worked with Democrats to renew the fully refundable child tax credit that cut child poverty in half and expanded economic prosperity for communities across the Nation when Democrats were in the majority. If my Republican colleagues wanted to help working families, they could stand up to President Trump and stop his reckless trade war that has created an affordability crisis. Mr. Speaker, on this tax day, the American people are seeing exactly what happens when Republicans are in charge. We are seeing tariff wars. We are seeing real wars in the Middle East, tax giveaways for the wealthy, exploding deficits, and an attack on our essential healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. On this tax day, my constituents say enough is enough. This tax bill has been a devastation to the people that I represent, and on this tax day, I stand before you to say that working families tax cuts is a cut for working families and not a cut to the wealthy.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of J. Mason Davis, an attorney from Alabama, a towering figure in Alabama's legal community, and a steadfast advocate for justice, equality, and human dignity. Mr. Davis passed away on April 4, 2026, at the age of 90, a profound loss for Alabama and for all who believe in the power of law to advance fairness and opportunity. Mr. Davis pursued his education with distinction and determination, graduating from Talladega College and later earning his law degree from Howard University School of Law. Mr. Davis then returned to Alabama. He entered a legal landscape defined by segregation and entrenched inequality. Rather than accept those conditions, he challenged them. He became one of the first Black attorneys to practice in Birmingham's courts, and he used his skill, courage, and conviction to represent individuals and communities who had long been denied a voice. Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Davis was a mentor, a teacher, and a bridge-builder. He served in leadership roles at one of Alabama's most respected law firms and helped open doors of opportunity for young attorneys to follow in his footsteps. His contributions were numerous. Alabama is a better place because J. Mason Davis lived, worked, and served there. The legal profession is better because he insisted that it live up to its highest ideals. Our Nation is better because he never stopped believing in the possibility of a more just and inclusive society. To his family, friends, colleagues, and all he shaped by his wisdom and generosity, we extend our deepest condolences. May they find comfort in knowing that his legacy endures in the laws that he changed, in the lives that he touched, and in the generation he led. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of J. Mason Davis, an Alabama icon and a national treasure. I rise today to honor the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of Attorney J. Mason Davis, a towering figure in Alabama's legal community and a steadfast advocate for justice, equality, and human dignity. Mr. Davis passed away on April 4, 2026, at the age of 90, a profound loss for Alabama and for all who believe in the power of the law to advance fairness and opportunity. J. Mason Davis was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1932, at a time when the promise of equal justice under law was far from reality. Yet, from a young age, he believed deeply in that promise. He pursued education with determination, graduating from Talladega College and later earning his law degree from Howard University School of Law in Washington D.C. When J. Mason Davis returned to Alabama, he entered a legal landscape defined by segregation and entrenched inequality. Rather than accept those conditions, he challenged them. He became one of the first Black attorneys to practice in Birmingham's courts, and he used his skill, courage, and conviction to represent individuals and communities who had long been denied a voice. Throughout the Civil Rights Movement, he worked on cases that helped dismantle discrimination and expand opportunities for African Americans in the state. He never sought the spotlight. He sought justice. And he pursued it with a quiet strength that earned him the respect of colleagues, judges, and community leaders spanning several generations. Beyond the courtroom, J. Mason Davis was a mentor, a teacher, and a bridge-builder. He served in leadership roles at one of Alabama's most respected law firms, helping open doors of opportunity for young attorneys to follow in his footsteps. He chaired numerous organizations, including the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Central Alabama, and the Talladega College Board of Trustees, and served as a member of many legal and corporate boards throughout the state. His contributions were recognized widely. In 2013, he received the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award for Human and Civil Rights, and in 2016, J. Mason Davis was officially inducted into the Birmingham Business Hall of Fame. Perhaps his greatest legacy is the example he set--an example of integrity, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to the ideals of equality and justice. Alabama is a better place because J. Mason Davis lived, worked, and served there. The legal profession is better because he insisted that it live up to its highest ideals. And our nation is better because he never stopped believing in the possibility of a more just and inclusive society. To his family, friends, colleagues, and all who were shaped by his wisdom and generosity, we extend our deepest condolences. May they find comfort in knowing that his legacy endures--in the laws he helped change, in the lives he touched, and in the generations of leaders he inspired. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of J. Mason Davis, not only for what he accomplished, but for what he made possible. May his legacy continue to guide Alabama and our Nation for years to come.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Defending American Property Abroad Act. This narrowly tailored bill will target vessels that attempt to enter the U.S. after moving through a seized American-owned port. Vulcan Materials Company is proudly headquartered in my Alabama district, so I have been following this dispute closely since 2018. The facts of the case are clear. The Government of Mexico used its military force to illegally occupy Vulcan's property, and, in 2022, President Obrador illegally shut down Vulcan's operations. Mexico's justifications for the seizure are fabricated, and it is clear that the government wants to take Vulcan's port because it is the only deepwater port in the region. Mr. Speaker, Vulcan has attempted to use all existing legal and diplomatic options to resolve this situation. Since 2018, they have used the USMCA arbitration policies and processes, and multiple U.S. Ambassadors to Mexico under the Biden and Trump administrations have attempted to find an amicable resolution. I have met directly with President Obrador about this issue. While previous Ambassadors have been sympathetic to our concerns, President Obrador and now President Sheinbaum have overruled their own diplomats and staff. It is time for Congress to act. I was told by the President that we had to have an act of Congress in order for the port to be returned. So, today, I say proudly: We are doing something. Congress is doing something. This is just not about an Alabama company. It is about American property abroad. Mr. Speaker, I urge Congress to vote in favor of this bill, and I support this legislation wholeheartedly.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the extraordinary life and legacy of Bernard LaFayette, who passed away on March 5, 2026, at the age of 85. He was a giant of the civil rights movement and a lifelong champion of justice, equality, and nonviolence. Bernard LaFayette was an extraordinary man who had extraordinary talents and extraordinary courage. As a Freedom Rider and a cofounder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, otherwise known as SNCC, Bernard placed himself on the front line of the struggle for civil rights, risking life and limb to challenge injustice and dismantle segregation across the South. As a trusted lieutenant of Dr. Martin Luther King, he helped to advocate a philosophy of nonviolent social change that moved our Nation closer to its founding promise of liberty and justice for all. His liberation was one of selflessness. His leadership was instrumental during the most pivotal moments of the civil rights movement, especially in my hometown of Selma, where his organizing efforts helped secure the right to vote for countless Black Americans. Yet, what set Bernard LaFayette apart was not only his bravery in those defining moments but his lifelong commitment to ensuring the principles of nonviolence would endure forever. Through his ministry, his scholarship, and his teaching, Bernard LaFayette dedicated himself to training new generations in the principles and the discipline of peaceful resistance. He believed deeply in what Dr. King called the Beloved Community, a Nation and a world rooted in justice, in reconciliation, and love. He worked every day of his life to make that vision a reality. On a personal note, as a proud daughter of Selma, I am forever grateful for the sacrifices made by Bernard LaFayette in the name of justice and equality. I know that I get to walk the Halls of Congress as Alabama's first Black Congresswoman because of the resilience, the courage, and determination of people like Bernard. My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife, Kate, as well as his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. On behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of a civil rights icon and a nonviolent advocate, Bernard LaFayette. May he rest in power and in peace.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor six heroic Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in defense of the United States. On March 12, 2026, six American airmen were tragically killed when a KC- 135 refueling aircraft supporting U.S. military operations in Iran crashed in western Iraq. Today, we remember them by name: Major John ``Alex'' Klinner, Captain Ariana Savino, Captain Seth Koval, Captain Curtis Angst, Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, and Technical Sergeant Tyler Simmons. Three of these brave airmen were members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, which operates in Birmingham, Alabama, in my district. I will take a moment to talk about the lives and legacies of these three airmen. Major Alex Klinner was 33 years old, a native of Auburn, Alabama. He entered the Air Force through the ROTC program at Auburn University in 2017. Major Klinner deployed in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2026, and he served as chief of the squadron's standardization and evaluation at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron since 2024. He was promoted to major in January. A devoted husband and father, Major Klinner is survived by his wife, Libby, their 2-year-old son, and a 7-year-old set of twins. Captain Ariana Savino was 31 years old. Captain Savino was a native of Covington, Washington. She entered the Air Force through the ROTC program at Central Washington University in 2017. Captain Savino deployed in 2020 and in 2026 and had served as the chief current operations pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron since 2024. Captain Savino was passionate about serving and supporting Latin women in aviation. A dedicated friend and sister, she is survived by her parents, siblings, and pets. Technical Sergeant Ashley Brooke Pruitt was 34 years old and a native of Bardstown, Kentucky. She entered the Air Force in 2017, deploying overseas three times and serving as an assistant flight chief of operations at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron. Technical Sergeant Pruitt is remembered as a selfless servant and a radiant mother by those in her community. She is survived by her husband, Gregory, 3-year-old daughter, and a stepson. The loss of all six of these brave American patriots is devastating, and my prayers are with their families as they grieve. I know I speak for all of us in expressing our deep sorrow and immense gratitude for their service to the United States. On behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District and a grateful nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the lives of six airmen who paid the ultimate price. May they rest in peace, and may we never ever forget their sacrifice. Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Jr., who, at the Fifty-Second Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Columbus, Ohio, was elected and consecrated as the 144th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and now serves as the Presiding Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District, which includes the State of Alabama. A fourth-generation preacher and lifelong churchman, Bishop McAllister answered the call of the ministry in 1992, shortly before his graduation from South Carolina State University, where he received his baccalaureate degree in criminal justice. He later continued his educational journey at Turner Theological Seminary, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree, and Chicago Theological Seminary, where he earned his Doctor in Ministry. The son of Supervisor Joan McAllister, Bishop McAllister holds a unique place in AME history. He and his father, Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Sr., stand as the only father and son to serve concurrently in active episcopal ministry since the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1787 and its incorporation in 1816, marking a moment of profound generational legacy in the life of the Church. A dedicated servant of God, Bishop McAllister has devoted 32 years to pastoral ministry, 16 of which were spent at Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee, Florida, where he led a ministry of strong spiritual formation, stewardship, and impact. During his 16-year pastorate, Bishop McAllister received 1,300 new members into the church, strengthened Christian stewardship with a strong emphasis on tithing, and guided the congregation in raising two million dollars annually in tithes and offerings. Additionally, he oversaw the construction of 85 single-family homes at a cost of fifteen million dollars, helped more than 1,000 men and women overcome drug and alcohol addiction through the Christ-centered ``A Life Recovery Center,'' and developed a ten- acre church campsite. Bishop McAllister also served as pastor of Greater Institutional AME Church in Chicago, Illinois, where he launched the Come Home for Christmas Ministry, serving over 5,000 homeless men and women and providing more than 2,000 children with a clothing shopping spree at Target or Sears at a cost of $750,000 to support needy families during the Christmas season. As the President Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District, Bishop McAllister leads with compassion, integrity, and a deep commitment to shepherding God's people. His pastorate is distinguished by a shepherd's heart; being present with his members, ministering to them through life's joys and sorrows, and building ministries that nurture spiritual growth, Christian stewardship, community outreach, and holistic support for families. On a personal note, as a daughter of Selma, Alabama, and lifelong member of the historic Brown Chapel AME Church, I know that it was within the sacred walls of the Black Church that our foremothers and forefathers organized and strategized for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. As the President Prelate of the 9th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop McAllister has carried forward that proud legacy in the ongoing pursuit of justice. That is why I am proud to recognize his faithful leadership, ministry, and service as we commemorate the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Jr., as the President Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Ms. Jo Ann Bland, who passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 72. Jo Ann was born on July 29, 1953, in Selma, Alabama, to the late Alfred Charles Blackmon and Ludie Wright Blackmon. True to her Selma roots, Jo Ann dedicated her life to the struggle for civil rights and voting rights. As an active member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, she joined The Movement at a remarkably young age, and at just 11 years old, she was one of the youngest participants in the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery. Despite the violence she witnessed on Bloody Sunday, her courage did not end on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. By the time she reached her early teens, Jo Ann had been arrested at least 13 times for participating in civil rights demonstrations, guided by her fearless and unwavering resolve for justice. That same resolve extended into the classroom where Jo Ann, alongside six other courageous students, integrated Selma's A.G. Parrish High School, opening doors of opportunity for countless children to follow in her footsteps. After graduating, she attended the College of Staten Island in New York and proudly served in the United States Army. After being discharged from the Army, Jo Ann returned to Alabama, where she sought to educate others on Selma's role in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1989, she co-founded the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute, and in 2007, she founded Journeys for the Soul, a tour agency dedicated to teaching visitors from around the world the true history of the Civil Rights Movement in Selma. In 2001, alongside Kimberly Smitherman, Jo Ann began purchasing parcels of land adjacent to the site where civil rights and voting rights activists gathered on Bloody Sunday. Through their combined efforts, the land was developed into Foot Soldiers Park, which stands as a memorial to the countless everyday people who marched, bled, and even died in pursuit of civil and voting rights for all, ensuring that their legacy would continue to inspire future generations. Jo Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Alfred Charles Blackman and Ludie Wright Blackmon; her grandmother, Sylvia Johnson; her sisters, Jackie Maxey and Lynda Lowery; and her brother, Al Blackmon. She is survived by her son, Antonio Bowie, Sr.; her granddaughter, Jasmyn Bowie; her grandsons, Antonio Bowie, Jr., Samuel Bowie, and Jordan Bowie; her surviving sisters, Sadie Moss, Mary Myles, and Mary Hudson; her special sister, Frances Bowie; her special daughter, Kimberly Smitherman; her special son, Demetrius Callens; her special granddaughters, Ja'kira Simmons and Charmekia Moore; her special nephew, Tony Blackmon; her special grandchildren, James Henderson and Samuel Flagg; her special great-grandchild, Jaxston Boyd; her goddaughter, Randy (Renee) Garrett; her god-granddaughters, Riley, Raven, and Ruby Garnett; her god great-granddaughter, Ziporah Rene' Stroud; her sister-in-law, Beverly Blackmon; her special friends, Queen Ramsey and Tracy Arnold; the dedicated staff and volunteers of Foot Soldiers Park, who became family and carried her vision alongside her; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and lifelong friends. On a personal note, I am forever grateful for the sacrifices made by Jo Ann Bland in the name of equality and justice. I know that I get to walk the halls of Congress as Alabama's first Black congresswoman because of her courage, resilience, and dedication. Her life is a testament to the power of ordinary Americans to achieve extraordinary social change, and her contributions to the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movements serve as an inspiration for future generations. In 2024, it was a privilege to bring Jo Ann as my special guest to President Biden's State of the Union Address, and upon her passing, I was honored to pay tribute to her on the floor of the House of Representatives. I will miss her wisdom and friendship. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life and legacy of Ms. Jo Ann Bland for her contributions to the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Movements and her decades of exemplary service to our nation in our fight for liberty, equality, and justice for all. May she Rest in Power.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in observance of the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the annual Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage through Alabama, which will take place this weekend in Birmingham, Montgomery, and my hometown of Selma, Alabama. Beginning this Friday, March 6, we in Alabama will once again welcome Members of Congress and dignitaries from across the Nation to lay eyes on the faces and places of the civil rights and voting rights movement. Hosted by the Faith and Politics Institute, we will retrace the footsteps of civil rights giants and pay homage to the sacrifices made in the name of equality and justice for all. Our pilgrimage will begin in Birmingham, where we will pay tribute to the four little girls killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. Together, we will reflect on the legacy of visionary Birmingham leaders like Reverend Fred Shuttlesworth, who led the fight against segregation alongside Dr. King. We will then travel to Montgomery, Alabama--home to Rosa Parks, the Freedom Rides Museum, and the Equal Justice Initiative--where ordinary citizens took a bold stand against injustice. We will conclude our pilgrimage by crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in my hometown of Selma. We will commemorate the events of Bloody Sunday. Together, we will walk in the footsteps of our former colleague, the late, great Congressman John Lewis, who was beaten and bloodied by Alabama State troopers while peacefully demonstrating for the rights of all Americans to vote. This year's pilgrimage could not come at a more critical time in our Nation's history. As we speak, officials at the highest levels of government are waging a concerted and coordinated effort to attack the rights and freedoms secured by our foremothers and our forefathers. They are attempting to erase our history, to roll back our progress, to silence our voices, and to dilute our power. Meanwhile, the fate of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the crown jewel of the civil rights movement, hangs in the balance as the Supreme Court considers a case that could gut its remaining protections. It is my hope that this year's pilgrimage will serve not only as a reminder of our past but a roadmap for our future. Mr. Speaker, the foot soldiers of the civil rights movement were tacticians and strategists. In these troubled times, we should take a page from their playbook, because ``good trouble, necessary trouble'' is needed now more than ever. Mr. Speaker, this year's pilgrimage is also bittersweet. It will be the last time that we will be joined in our official capacity by Congressman and former majority leader, Steny Hoyer. Congressman Hoyer is retiring from the House of Representatives this year, and I pay special tribute to him and his dedication for coming annually to the pilgrimage. No one in this body has been a more steadfast supporter of our annual pilgrimage than Leader Hoyer. He made the trip to Alabama 18 times, and this will be his 19th time commemorating Bloody Sunday. I will always cherish the memories we made alongside John Lewis and our colleagues during the pilgrimage. While he will be sorely missed in the Halls of Congress, I know that Leader Hoyer's service to our Nation will not end with his retirement, and neither will his dedication to protecting and advancing our civil rights. On behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in observing the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday and the upcoming annual Civil Rights Pilgrimage. May we leave this weekend renewed, refreshed, and ready to get into some ``good trouble.''

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of foot soldier, freedom fighter, and civil rights icon Ms. Joanne Bland, who passed away on February 19, 2026, at the age of 72. As a proud daughter of Selma, Alabama, Joanne dedicated her life to the struggle for civil rights and voting rights. As an active member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, she joined the movement at a remarkably young age. At just 11 years old, she was one of the youngest participants in the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery. Joanne's courage did not end on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. By her early teens, Joanne had been arrested at least 13 times for her participation in civil rights demonstrations. She was also among the courageous students who integrated A.G. Parrish High School, where she opened doors of opportunity for countless children to follow in her footsteps. As an adult, Joanne worked to educate others on Selma's role in the civil rights movement, ensuring that her legacy would continue to inspire future generations. Joanne founded numerous organizations, including Foot Soldiers Park, Journeys for the Soul, and the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute. Her tours of Selma, Alabama, were celebrated for being both informative and inspiring. On a personal note, I am forever grateful for the sacrifices made by Joanne Bland in the name of equality and justice. I know that I get to walk the Halls of Congress as Alabama's first Black Congresswoman because of her courage, resilience, and determination. I am honored to have brought her as my special guest to President Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address, and I will miss her wisdom and friendship. On behalf of Alabama's Seventh Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the extraordinary life and legacy of a civil rights icon, Selma's own Ms. Joanne Bland. May she rest in power and in peace.

Ms. SEWELL

Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to Trump's voter suppression bill. In recent months, President Trump's attempts to interfere in the midterm elections have become more brazen and alarming day by day. We have seen State legislators redraw maps to benefit Republicans. We have seen the FBI raid an election office and seize ballots in Georgia. Most recently, President Trump threatened a Federal takeover of our election in clear violation of the Constitution. This week, Trump's efforts to rig the elections have made their way to Congress where Republicans are pushing this piece of legislation, which will block millions of voters from casting their ballots. Let us be clear. This is not a voter ID bill. It is a voter suppression bill, plain and simple. This bill is so extreme that even your driver's license would be insufficient to register to vote. Instead, Americans would be required to present their birth certificate or their passport. The reality is that half of Americans do not have a passport. Get this: This bill also requires States to turn over personal identifiable information to the Department of Homeland Security, the same Department whose rogue agents are responsible for the deaths of two American citizens in Minnesota. Here is the truth: Under this bill, tens of millions of eligible American voters will be blocked from casting their ballots. It is simply unacceptable and un-American. The ability of voters to choose their leaders is foundational to our democracy. It is a freedom that generations of Americans have fought, bled, and marched for, many in my hometown of Selma, Alabama. We know that it is so important that we safeguard these important truths. Our freedom is under assault. Make no mistake, Republicans know that their policies are failing, that prices are going up, that jobs are going away, that healthcare is being slashed, and that the American people are struggling to make ends meet. Republicans know that they cannot win on the merits, so rather than changing their policies, they are seeking to change the rules. John Lewis was not bludgeoned on a bridge in my hometown for the Republicans and Donald Trump to take these freedoms away from us. This is a blatant power grab, and Democrats will not stand for it. Vote ``no'' on this disastrous legislation.