Terri Sewell

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the commission of the USS Montgomery into military service as a Navy ship. Alabama's capital city is honored to have another ship to bear its name in the U.S. Navy operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet. The city of Montgomery is proud to celebrate the second ship named for the state's capital. It is especially noteworthy to have a Navy presence in a predominately Air Force town, and I along with the city of Montgomery and the state of Alabama are honored to know that this U.S. Navy ship from Alabama will go all over the world. The USS Montgomery commissioning has been a six-year process which began in 2010, when it was proposed to Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange. The ship has since been referred to as one of the most technologically advanced warfare systems in the world. The USS Montgomery, an Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), will operate close to shore providing surface, undersea and mine warfare along with search and rescue missions, maritime surveillance and interdiction, intelligence, amphibious operations and disaster relief. The ship will support its sister ship, the USS Independence, and will operate in the U.S. 7th Fleet and will be under the command of Officer Daniel G. Straub. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognition of the commission of the USS Montgomery into military service as a Navy ship.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call votes held on September 12, 2016, I was inescapably detained handling important matters related to my District and the State of Alabama. If I had been present, I would have voted Yes on H. Res. 847 and Yes on H. Res. 835.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on Restoration Tuesday to acknowledge the recent Supreme Court decision on August 31, 2016 denying North Carolina's request to reinstate controversial voting laws which were implemented following the 2013 Shelby v. Holder case. The rejected North Carolina voting laws included strict voter ID laws and cutbacks to early voting from 17 days to 10 days as well as elimination of the preregistration option for 16-year-olds. The Supreme Court's order upheld the North Carolina Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision which characterized the laws as targeting ``African Americans with almost surgical precision.'' It is a somber celebration in this democratic society when voter disenfranchisement is denied. This is a battle that America should not have to continue to fight. From the streets to the court rooms, the right to a voice--the right to a vote has been fought for. For this upcoming election, North Carolina will not have to be subject to new voting laws that would make voting harder, not easier for eligible voters. This is a great victory for voting rights--for democracy and for the principles this country was built on. Many states however are not as fortunate as North Carolina. Since the 2013 Shelby v. Holder decision, over 22 states including my home state of Alabama, implemented new oppressive voting laws affecting thousands of eligible Americans across the country. In 2013, the Supreme Court charged Congress with the responsibility of creating a modern formula for states and local governments to obtain federal preclearance before implementing changes to voting laws or practices. Last year, I introduced a bill, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015, which addresses the residual problems left behind by the Shelby v. Holder ruling. It has been 3 years since this Supreme Court ruling and over a full year since I introduced the Voting Rights Advancement Act. We, the Members of Congress cannot and should not continue to overburden the courts because we refuse to act. Political gridlock has no place in the voting rights of our people, and especially in an election year. Former President Lyndon B. Johnson reminded us all when he said ``voting is the first duty of democracy.'' I implore my colleagues to remember why we are here. We have a great work to do. We work for the American people and we are guided by the Constitution of the United States of America. I urge my colleagues to support any and all advancements in voting rights--this is not an act of ``good heart''-- this is our duty.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I stand in solidarity with my colleagues to demand commonsense legislation to address the epidemic of gun violence in America. Last week, I spoke on the House Floor in memory of Coral Wilson, a mother of 8 who was shot and killed on May 11, 2016 in Birmingham, Alabama by a domestic abuser. The shooter broke into the home of Ms. Wilson, and used a gun to murder her and shoot four of her children. Ms. Wilson was the 7th domestic gun violence homicide victim and the 41st gun violence homicide victim in Birmingham this year--Mr. Speaker, these deaths were never acknowledged by a moment of silence on the House Floor. Congress has repeatedly failed to pass commonsense gun safety measures that would protect our communities. Too much blood has been shed and we need action. We need stronger laws that prevent gun violence and we need it now. Make no mistake--strengthening background checks, eliminating gun show loopholes, and preventing potential terrorists and criminals from acquiring assault weapons will not limit the rights of lawful gun owners to protect and defend themselves. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while sitting in a Birmingham, Alabama jail, wrote, ``injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'' Mr. Speaker, enough is enough--the injustice of gun violence affects each and every one of our communities. Now is the time to take action to unite as one great nation and work together to secure justice for all Americans. Injustice anywhere--Orlando, Baton Rouge, Falcon Heights, Dallas, Birmingham--is a threat to justice everywhere.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today, I re-introduced H.R. 5783, the Small Business Start-up Savings Accounts Act of 2016. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and are an essential component of our continued economic recovery. These businesses generate half of our nation's gross domestic product and employ at least half of its workforce. The creation of small businesses allows Americans to produce things right here in America, as well as continue to out innovate and out-build the rest of the world. Unfortunately, the average entrepreneur spends roughly $80,000 in first year start-up costs, and these recovering economic times have made it even more difficult for prospective business owners to access vital start-up capital. As our economy continues to strengthen, it is important that Congress provides incentives and opportunities for entrepreneurs to launch new businesses and provide much needed jobs to our economy. For these reasons, I am re-introducing The Small Business Start-up Savings Accounts Act to assist individuals in starting their own businesses. This bill expands much needed lending to millions of small businesses and offers tax incentives to help small businesses grow, hire, and fuel our economy. The bill would allow entrepreneurs to contribute up to $10,000 per year into a tax-free account, which could be used to purchase equipment, facilities, marketing, training, and accounting. Contributions to the account could accumulate up to $150,000 and be taken out tax-free. This is a common sense approach to encourage economic growth, and Congress should spend more of its time on legislation like this that can have a positive impact on average Americans. I urge all of my colleagues to co-sponsor this legislation and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call votes 453, 454, and 455 held on July 13th, 2016, I was inescapably detained handling important matters related to my District and the State of Alabama. If I had been present, I would have voted NO on the Palmer amendment, NO on the Gosar amendment, and NO on the Perry amendment to the FY2017 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on Restoration Tuesday to highlight and recognize the positive strides made by elected officials in support of equal voting rights. Several states, including California, Connecticut, Illinois, Oregon and Vermont have passed laws establishing automatic voter registration. In these states across the country, when a citizen comes in contact with the DMV they are automatically registered to vote unless they actively decline. In April of this year, Gov. Terry McAuliffe of Virginia ordered voting rights restored to 206,000 ex-convicts in Virginia. This year, Virginia joined over 20 states that have helped diminish the stigma of disenfranchisement from citizens who have served their sentences and paid their debts to society. These leaders faced harsh public criticism and were targeted by the media. These were not popular efforts. Mr. Speaker, may I remind my fellow colleagues that we are not here for a popularity contest. We are here to serve the people of America. We are here to support democracy, justice, fairness and equality for all. We cannot and must not continue to sit idly by and do nothing. Last year, I introduced a bill, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 to answer the call the Supreme Court gave Congress in 2013 after the Shelby v. Holder ruling that called for for a modern day formula to determine federal enforcement. It has been three years since the Supreme Court ruling. It has been over a full year since I introduced the Voting Rights Advancement Act. Inaction on the cause of voting rights has now become ``business as usual'' and this cannot continue. We can no longer be afraid to lead and stand for what is right. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best when he stated ``history will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.'' The silence of Congress on the fundamental right to vote is no less than appalling. Political equality is good for everyone. What are we afraid of? Why do we continue to do nothing? The flood of suppressive voting laws continue to flow from every corner of our country and the tide is only getting higher. Our silence only silences the voices and vote of the American people. We can and must do better.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I yield 40 seconds to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ellison).

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, today I rise in support of the CFPB's recent efforts to rein in predatory practices utilized by payday lenders across this country. I am opposed to any congressional efforts to weaken or prohibit regulations of these actors. That is why I have offered an amendment striking section 639 of the underlying bill, which prohibits funds from being used by the CFPB to enforce any regulations or rules with respect to payday loans, vehicle title loans, or other similar loans during the fiscal year 2017. I am proud to be joined by my colleagues, Representatives Waters, Ellison, and Hinojosa, in offering this simple yet critically important amendment. President Obama's visit to Birmingham, Alabama, in the heart of my district in March 2015 to announce CFPB's efforts to address predatory lending practices was something that was very important to my constituency. During his speech, he noted that there were four times as many payday lenders in Alabama as there were McDonald's. Additionally, there are more title loan lenders per capita in Alabama than any other State. This stark contrast not only illustrates the pervasiveness of this industry participant but, rather, underscores the critical need for stronger consumer protections to fight against unfair and abusive lending practices. Oftentimes, African Americans, Latinos, and other minority communities are especially disproportionately impacted by the cycle of long-term debt resulting from payday loans, vehicle title loans, as well as check advance loans. These lenders target our most vulnerable, fiscally underserved communities, including low-income and elderly, while residents with limited access to traditional bank loans or credit are attracted to promises of easy access to fast cash. Predatory lending compromises the financial security of millions of Americans. It is a problem that is too big to ignore, and the CFPB's efforts to protect these communities should be applauded rather than restricted. The CFPB's proposed rules are not unduly burdensome. Rather, the majority of payday loans and title lenders who do not ask for any proof of income or whether the borrower has the ability to repay, that, to me, seems to be commonsense regulation. Lenders should be able to make loans to those who have the ability to repay, and asking that question doesn't seem overly burdensome. Studies show that 69 percent of the borrowers use payday loans to meet everyday expenses such as rent, bills, medicine, and groceries. These CFPB rules would require lenders to make sure borrowers can afford to pay back the loans before giving a loan, in the same way that traditional banks do when they prepare loans. The payday lending industry should be subject to the same regulations as traditional banks when it comes to making sure that people who they are lending money to have the ability to repay. The rule would also limit the ability of lenders to access borrowers' credit account information through automatic debiting if there are not sufficient funds initially in their checking accounts. Borrowers should not be at the mercy of predatory lending practices. CFPB's proposed rules would strengthen consumer protections and make it harder to prey on vulnerable communities. CFPB's proposed rules have bipartisan support and empower consumers to make better financial decisions. I understand that there are needs for short-term cash and for small- dollar-amount loans that provide consumers with this necessary access. I will continue to work with the CFPB and stakeholders to perfect this rule and create incentives for traditional and responsible lenders to enter this short-term lending space; however, it is unconscionable for any Members of this body to support legislation designed to thwart efforts to protect consumers and the most vulnerable Americans. I strongly support the adoption of these proposed regulations and would continue to fight for greater consumer protections. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment which would allow for resources to be available to the CFPB to enforce these new regulations against payday lenders. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Chairman, I want to say that I think it is really important that we not reward bad actors. I think that the fact of the matter is that lots of payday lenders--while access to credit is critically important, to reward bad behavior is not something that I think this House should be about, and I ask Members to support this amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Cora Wilson, let's stop the violence. I rise today to tell the story of Cora Wilson, a 34- year-old mother from Birmingham, Alabama, who was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in front of her eight children on May 12, 2016. Like many women who suffer from domestic violence, Cora Wilson endured abuse for too long. On a Wednesday night in May of 2016, her abuser ignored the restraining order and showed up at the house, where he killed Ms. Wilson and shot four of her children. I cannot mourn this tragedy with my community without doing all that I can to prevent such events from happening in the future. Congress must act now. The intersection between domestic violence and gun safety is paramount. While I am a supporter of the Second Amendment, the rights protected in the Second Amendment are not immune from government regulation. In fact, Congress has repeatedly failed to pass commonsense gun safety reform. Make no mistake, strengthening the background checks, eliminating gun show loopholes, and preventing potential terrorists will not limit the rights of lawful gun owners to protect and defend themselves. The rising tide of gun violence in our communities must stop. In memory of Cora Wilson and the thousands of other domestic violence senseless deaths, let's act now.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today on Restoration Tuesday, I rise to draw attention to U.S. District Judge Richard Leon's egregious ruling on June 29, 2016 allowing U.S. elections officials to change proof-of-citizenship requirements on the federal voting registration form at the request of Alabama, Kansas, and Georgia and without public notice. This ruling marks yet another example in a long line of restrictive voting practices used to suppress the right of eligible voters under the guise of circumventing voter fraud. This ruling means residents of Kansas, Georgia and Alabama will have to prove they are U.S. citizens when registering to vote for federal elections without prior public notice. One of the missions of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission which implemented this new law is to help make voting easier and not harder for eligible voters. Enforcing a new law and process without notifying the public falls far short of that goal. Instead, the court has sanctioned yet another ``solution'' to a problem that doesn't exist. This new proof of citizenship requirement joins the other restrictions efforts like photo ID laws, DMV closings, poll site closings--which put up barriers to voter access. Mr. Speaker, Alabama has a storied history of voter suppression, and Judge Richard Leon's ruling last week yet again underscores the importance of the need for federal preclearance for changes to voting practices and procedures that could have a discriminatory impact. Unfortunately, these stories continue to be far too common in states across the country. As the 2016 Presidential Election cycle continues, it is critically important that we recognize and defend against any attempts to create modem day barriers to the ballot box, instead of making voting more difficult, we should be working to ensure that every American is able to exercise their constitutionally protected right. It is reprehensible that in 2016, many Americans continue to face barriers to the ballot box. Now, citizens in Alabama, Georgia and Kansas have to show proof to citizenship to register to vote. These states have not shown a propensity for voter fraud due to lack of citizenship. It is another example of overzealous election officials putting up barriers to voting. Such suppression must stop! Our democracy is built on the premise that every citizen is able to have their voices heard and vote counted! No Vote, No Voice! America cannot and must not be silenced. I continue to call upon Congress to pass and enact meaningful legislation that restores key protections under the Voting Rights Act. All who believe in our great democracy should fight to ensure a fair and inclusive election process for all. The time is always ripe to do what is right.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues sitting in on the House floor in tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting and all those who have lost their lives or loved ones to senseless gun violence. Congress has repeatedly failed to pass gun safety measures that would protect our communities while preserving the rights of responsible gun owners. While I am a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, I believe that strengthening background checks, eliminating gun show loopholes, and preventing potential terrorists from acquiring assault weapons will not limit the rights of lawful gun owners to protect and defend themselves. Make no mistake; this is not an attempt to take guns away from law- abiding citizens--these are commonsense gun safety measures. We must set aside party politics and work together in the best interests of our nation to reduce gun violence and senseless killings. Mr. Speaker, the rising tide of gun violence continues to claim far too many lives. It's time for Congress to act. I urge my colleagues to take up gun safety measures that will protect our families and our communities. We cannot continue to mourn these tragedies without doing all we can to prevent them.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today on Restoration Tuesday, I rise to draw attention to the coming three-year anniversary of the Supreme Court Shelby v. Holder decision and the damage that it inflicted on our democratic process. In 2013, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down a decision that simply called for an update of the formula used to determine which states required federal preclearance prior to enacting legislation affecting the voting process. Shortly after, a number of states, including Alabama, quickly passed restrictive laws designed to suppress the vote after the Supreme Court struck down Section 4--the coverage formula provision making it harder of federal protection for vulnerable communities. Since the decision, new restrictive laws have been put in place in 22 states--18 of them Republican led--since 2010. The Shelby decision made it easier to limit access to the ballot box. And so here we are . . . three years later. We must accept the charge that the Supreme Court handed to provide a new modern day formula to determine when states are covered under the Voting Rights Act. In June of 2015 I rose to the challenge and introduced the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015. Most of the Democratic members have signed on as co-sponsors. Just last week, I signed a discharge petition on this legislation to force an immediate vote on the House floor. Still, there has been much talk on both sides with little collective action. We were given this challenge in 2013, but somehow, here we are . . . three years later. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was reauthorized nearly a decade ago and it is shameful that still today, people across the nation do not enjoy full and free access to exercise their right to vote. It is reprehensible that still in 2016, Americans across the nation continue to face modern day barriers to the ballot box. The time is always ripe to do what is right. As we continue to progress throughout this election year, it is especially critical that all Americans have fair and equal access to the ballot box. Our very democracy is built on the ability of every citizen being able to have their voices heard and vote counted. No Vote, No Voice. America cannot and must not be silenced. After decades of progress that culminated with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, we are now going backward. Old battles have become new again. The guise of a free photo ID masks the various fees necessary to pay for documents needed to obtain the ID. This ``poll tax'' makes it harder to vote for those who are barely able to make ends meet. Many elderly are unable to acquire documents proving birth due to the high number of midwife births. These are real barriers affecting real people. Is it our job as Members of Congress to deny them the right to vote? Is this obstruction of the vote what we took from the Supreme Court instructing us to revisit and recreate a formula? Why are we still here . . . three years later? My colleagues, we are approaching the first Presidential election since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 without full protection of the law against discrimination at the ballot box. We must stand on the virtue of a true democracy, constantly striving to remove blemishes from our process. A year has passed since the introduction of the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015, and it is being held up in committee processes, instead of being pushed through to restore the voting process for all Americans. It is time to band together and fulfil that which we have been tasked to accomplish. Delay too long is justice denied. The time is now. We must Restore The Vote.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to rise in strong support of H.R. 4777, to designate the United States Post Office at 1301 Alabama Avenue in Selma, Alabama, as the Amelia Boynton Robinson Post Office Building. Mrs. Amelia Boynton Robinson was known as the matriarch of the voting rights movement. Her life and legacy epitomized strength, resiliency, perseverance, and courage, the same characteristics that embody the city of Selma, Alabama, my hometown, where she made such a significant impact. Amelia Boynton Robinson was named the only female lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the civil rights movement. In this role, she would travel alongside Dr. King and often appear in his stead for numerous events and gatherings. Amelia Boynton Robinson was also well known for braving the frontline of the Selma march on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where she was brutally attacked and left for dead on Bloody Sunday, on March 7, 1965. It was the picture of a bloody and beaten Amelia Boynton that appeared on the front page of The New York Times and showed the world the brutality of racism in the fight for voter equality. During the violent attacks, this heroine never gave up hope, hope in an ideal that is all America. It is democracy. She believed so fervently that all Americans should have the right to vote, and she was willing to die for it. It was the direct involvement of Amelia Boynton Robinson and the foot soldiers who dared to march from Selma to Montgomery that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. She was such a valued part of this process that some of the contents of the voting rights bill were drafted at her kitchen table in Selma. A courageous trailblazer even before Bloody Sunday, Amelia Boynton Robinson, on May 5, 1964, broke all barriers as the first Black woman in the State of Alabama to run for Congress. She ran to represent the Seventh Congressional District of Alabama, the seat I am so honored to hold today. She garnered 10.7 percent of the vote during a time when very few Blacks were registered to vote. I know, Mr. Speaker, that the journey that I now take as Alabama's first Black Congresswoman was only made possible because of the courage, tenacity, and faith of Amelia Boynton Robinson. Last year, before Mrs. Boynton passed, I was honored to have her as my special guest at the State of the Union. It was incredibly moving to see Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle and members of the President's Cabinet line up to greet her and to take pictures with her. Everyone thanked her for her service to this country. Even President Obama came to talk and thank Mrs. Boynton before he gave his address at the State of the Union. This picture documents that very time when she got to meet the President of the United States for the first time. The memory of that moment will stand as one of the highlights of my time here in Congress. The symbolism of this picture is not lost on any of us. It was truly because of her bravery and the bravery of other foot soldiers who dared to march, like our very own colleague, John Lewis, that paved the way for the election of this country's first Black President. Just a few months later, on March 6, 2015, she joined hands with our own President Barack Obama again, to retrace the path that she took across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, when she and our colleague, John Lewis, were beaten over 50 years ago. Amelia Boynton Robinson passed away just a few months later on August 26, 2015, at the age of 104. She was featured prominently in the movie ``Selma'' for her tenacity and her bravery. She truly embodied what they were fighting for as foot soldiers. I was so glad that before her death she was able to cross that bridge one more time, and this time with two Presidents: President Barack Obama and President George Bush. So many of my colleagues joined us that day, and we continue to honor her legacy by supporting this legislation and naming the Selma Post Office in her honor. As a daughter of Selma, I am honored to sponsor this legislation, and I can think of no one more deserving to have their name on a post office in Selma, Alabama, than Amelia Boynton Robinson. She truly represents the heart, spirit, and essence of Selma, Alabama, and the voting rights movement. In closing, I am reminded of the words that Amelia Boynton Robinson said during her visit to this Capitol at the State of the Union in 2015. As Members of Congress and Cabinet members took pictures with her in the Halls of this Capitol, they said to Mrs. Robinson: ``I stand on your shoulders. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you.'' Ms. Boynton finally, after the fifth person said that to her, ``I stand on your shoulders,'' she looked up, as only a person of 104 would, and said, ``Get off my shoulders.'' She said: ``Do your own work. There is plenty of work to be done.'' Mr. Speaker, this august body still has work to do to fully restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was gutted by the Supreme Court in the Shelby v. Holder decision of 2013. I ask my Republican colleagues to join the 180 members of the Democratic Caucus who have sponsored the Voting Rights Advancement Act. It is this bill that will give back the enforcement arm of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and it is up to Congress to restore the Voting Rights Act. In memory of Amelia Boynton Robinson, I urge my colleagues to not only support the naming of this post office in H.R. 4777, but they can honor the memory of her and so many of the foot soldiers' bravery by passing the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015. The right to vote is a sacred right, Mr. Speaker, and no American should be denied access to the ballot box.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, last week, a group of 8 Republicans traveled to the House of Help City of Hope, a private residential drug and alcohol treatment program here in Southeast DC. There they unveiled their proposal to reduce poverty in America. Make no mistake: the Republican Party has simply repackaged the same proposals that have locked our most underserved populations in poverty for generations. I appreciate the group's advocacy for drug and alcohol treatment, but it is misguided and offensive to associate poverty with addiction. We should not be surprised that they are clinging to the tired narrative that victims of poverty are too lazy or irresponsible to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. The ``bootstraps'' narrative leaves out the reality that too many children in America are born without bootstraps to parents who never had bootstraps themselves. In the cycle of poverty, opportunity rarely presents itself. From the schoolhouse to the workplace, children from wealthier and well-educated families arrive at every door with a very different set of skills and expectations than those from underserved backgrounds. For example, research suggests that children from low-income families hear 30 million fewer words than their wealthy peers by the age of 3. Other studies show that less than 50 percent of children living in poverty arrive at school prepared with the math and reading skills, emotional and behavioral control, and the physical well-being necessary to learn. These gaps persist into adulthood. These are not excuses. They are facts. The children of the wealthy are provided tutors, lawyers, contraceptives, therapy, and more when they stumble socially, physically, and academically. Their less affluent counterparts are instead met with financially struggling parents, probation officers, and ill-access to basic health services. Social scientists call the protections afforded to wealthier children in times of trouble ``air bags.'' It's time to dispel the blanket notion that the poor are to blame for their poverty. The government has a role to play, and for many, it is the star of the show. When opportunity presents itself in low-income communities, it comes via a Head Start teacher, an after-school program, a Job Corps coach, a Pell grant, a Social Security check, a child tax credit, and through other resource programs implemented during and after the War on Poverty. Our friends across the aisle want the American people to believe that the effective anti-poverty programs of the War on Poverty have been a waste of taxpayer dollars. In truth, the safety net's effectiveness at reducing poverty has grown nearly ten-fold since 1967. Pell grants, senior centers, the breast and cervical cancer early detection program, grants to improve water and waste disposal systems, Job Corps, and the Foster Grandparent program are just some of the programs that have been effective in helping millions of Americans into the middle class. Despite the progress made under these programs, the Republicans deem them all as welfare. The Social Security program has lifted 27 million Americans out of poverty, including 1.6 million children yet Republicans have proposed to privatize and cut the program. The Earned Income Tax Credit has lifted 9 million working Americans out of poverty and has reduced poverty for 22 million more. Despite these tremendous benefits, the Republicans did not include this program in their proposal. The SNAP program, which the proposal cuts, has lifted 10 million Americans out of poverty and 5 million more out of deep poverty. Seventy percent of Americans will turn to the safety net at some point in their lifetimes. Attempts to cut these programs are rooted in dangerous and misguided ideology. I was sent to Congress to build upon programs that work and craft new proposals to create ladders of opportunity into the middle class for my constituents. On the contrary, the Republican blaming strategy is not ``A Better Way''--it's the wrong way. On behalf of the hardworking Alabamians I represent, I urge all of my colleagues to reject this dangerous agenda.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today on this Restoration Tuesday, I rise to acknowledge the continued voter suppression around the country during this election year and the ongoing battle for protection of the constitutional right to vote. This Restoration Tuesday is particularly special, as it is the last primary vote. At the closing of the polls, we will officially be embarking on the first general election in 50 years without the full protection of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Countless Americans gathered together in the years up to the passing of the historic legislation that banned discrimination in voting polls, and solidified voting equality. Backpedaling into times of racial disparity in the voting process is a dangerous course of action that we should refrain from venturing into. We are currently defacing the legacy of those who gave up their lives in order to secure equal representation in the voting booth. It is imperative that we rally together and Restore The Vote. We cannot allow this presidential election to greet us without being protected against those who wish to slant the election through harsh voting laws. It is the right of every eligible American to cast a ballot in the favor of their interests without hurdles being placed in their path. Through the passage of the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015, we will be able to complete the order handed down to us by the Supreme Court of the United States. We will be able to recreate the safe haven in voting, where everyone feels entitled and able to exercise their democratic right. I ask my colleagues to join me in support of the Voting Rights Advancement of 2015 so that we can make the democratic process democratic again.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, in light of the myriad of issues facing Americans living in poverty, I am disappointed that my Republican colleagues chose a drug treatment center as the location to unveil their anti-poverty proposal last week. Assuming the poor are more prone to impulsivity and addiction ignores the reality that poverty is often the result of a constellation of compounding difficulties that are exacerbated by poor access to healthcare and our nation's historic dis-investment in public health. Today, I am here to highlight the impact these complications have on my most vulnerable constituents and the role we all play in addressing them. The harsh disparities faced by my constituents in Alabama's Black Belt intersect at the nexus of poverty, demographics, and geographic access. Women in certain parts of my district have to drive to distant counties, sometimes two hours, to give birth to their babies. Folks in Choctaw County, Alabama have to travel over 100 miles to the closest full-service urban hospital or to see a specialist. In 6 of the 14 counties I represent, there are fewer than 5 primary care physicians, county-wide. The prostate cancer death rate in Alabama for black men was triple that of white men from 2000 to 2010. For all cancers, the mortality rate among blacks was more than double that of the white population during the same time period. There are many settings that would have better told the story of struggling Americans than an addiction treatment center. An emergency room in a rural hospital in my district would have been a great place to start. In this setting, the group would meet the working Alabamians who fall into our state's Medicaid gap. With the lowest Medicaid eligibility cap in the country, the working poor are left with no option for affordable health coverage. Because of financial constraints, these individuals ignore small health care concerns until they compound to make for an emergency situation, which can only be addressed in the expensive setting of an emergency room. There are many who leave the emergency room less able to work and provide for their families because of the long-term impact of allowing untreated health issues to compound. In addition to severe access issues, generations of men and women in Alabama's 7th District have been negatively impacted by the tortured legacy of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. While I applaud decisions to provide medical benefits to the family members infected, and the apology issued by President Clinton in 1997, these actions only began to address the damage this 40 year experiment had on our most vulnerable communities. There are decades of research that show that minorities often do not seek treatment for conditions because of distrust of health care providers regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The mistrust the Tuskegee study generated interferes with attempts to combat HIV/ AIDS, sickle cell anemia, uterine fibroids, prostate cancer and a myriad of other conditions that disproportionately impact minority groups. If we are serious about addressing health disparities in rural and underserved communities, we must start by working to restore the faith all of our constituents have in the medical establishment, particularly public health programs, vaccinations, and clinical trials. We should view this as an issue needing as much intervention as drug abuse and inner-city violence. I was sent to Congress by one of the most underserved constituencies in the country to build upon programs that work and craft new proposals to reverse this cursed course. I look forward to working with my colleagues to strengthen the Medicare and Medicaid programs, invest in health education and medical research, and incentivize providers to practice in rural and underserved communities.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge today as Restoration Tuesday and once again, to speak on behalf of those whose voices have been silenced by the refusal of Congress to fully restore the federal protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Two weeks ago, I was honored to stand beside fellow colleagues Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas and Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia and other Members of Congress to launch the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. The Caucus is committed to restoring the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to its original state and restoring the vote to all the suppressed voices in this great nation. We will continue to stand together until we achieve our goal and make our election process fair for everyone once again. The right to vote should be easy for all eligible voters and not made more difficult for some of this country's most disenfranchised members. It is a sad day in this nation when there are eligible Americans who cannot take part in the democratic process that we as Americans are all promised, just because they are unable to attain a photo ID. To some, this may not seem like a hard request or even a major problem. However, to the people in rural Alabama and in many rural areas all over the country--it is a tough request and it is a big problem. When your district closes over 30 DMVs--the most common location to receive a photo ID--this is a problem. When the nearest courthouse or DMV is 20 miles away and you don't have gas money, a car, or any public transport--this is a problem. When you do not have a birth certificate because you were delivered by a midwife and are told you are not able to vote, even though you are an American, born and raised--this is a problem. What is crystal clear is that these new suppressive voting laws are crippling the democratic process. This is an election year and the right to vote is under attack. An essential element of our democracy is corroding, and we indeed have a problem. When a county systematically shuts down voting polls from 400 in 2008 to 200 in 2012 and then plummets to only 60 in 2016, the problem is clear. Maricopa County in Arizona forced voters to endure long lines and an arduous process to simply have their vote counted--to have their voices heard. To my fellow colleagues, I say maybe your district doesn't have long lines wrapped around the streets and maybe your elderly constituents can easily access their birth certificates. But my district and so many others do have real problems accessing the ballot box. If one person is denied the right to vote, it undermines the integrity of the entire voting process. We cannot forget about the millions of Americans who suffer from new suppressive voting laws around the country. We cannot sit back and simply say, ``This is not my problem.'' When Americans are being suppressed and silenced, it is an American problem. This is still the United States of America, and we cannot stand strong when a significant portion of our country suffers in silence. A democracy means inclusion, not exclusion--America stands for equality, fairness and justice for all. It is time we make the democratic process, democratic once again. Until every voice in this great nation is allowed to speak freely, without suppression, I will stand on this floor and speak in support of our Constitutional right to vote. I urge my colleagues to join me and 168 other members in support of H.R. 2867, the Voting Rights Advancement Act. It is time Congress restores the VRA.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate Birmingham City School System's Class of 2016 Valedictorians--all of whom are female. As the headline reads in the local paper, ``Talk about major girl power.'' At last count, these young ladies have received more than ``$2.85 million in scholarship offers for 2016.'' The Birmingham City School System also had two Gates Millennium Scholars this year including Ramsay High School's Valedictorian, Maya Quinn. The Class of 2016 Valedictorians includes: Parker High School's Alejandrina Bravo; Woodlawn High School's Michelle Thomas; Huffman High School's Kierra Hutchins; Jackson-Olin High School's Alana Bennett; Ramsay High School's Maya Quinn; and Carver High School's Jamerial Gardner and Ariana Robinson. Carver High School was unique in that they had two students tie for valedictorian this year. Mr. Speaker, while most of the communities in my district are greatly underserved, we continuously see what is possible from our citizens with a little bit of resources and whole bunch of hard work. We know that when women succeed, America succeeds. And these young women are on the path to bright futures, and to giving back in hopefully meaningful ways to our communities, and should be commended for their outstanding achievements. I am sure they will look back proudly on this accomplishment as they blaze their respective paths in life. Mr. Speaker, I want my colleagues to join me in congratulating the outstanding women who serve as 2016 Valedictorians in the Birmingham City School System. Girl Power!

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to address the ongoing problem of voter suppression in this country. The Voting Rights Act was passed in 1965 and sadly today--over 50 years later, Americans continue to be blocked from the ballot box. This ongoing suppression absolutely must stop--now. Congress must lead the way in upholding democracy and equal rights in this great nation. This is why I'm so proud to join my colleagues and serve as co-chair of the first ever Congressional Voting Rights Caucus. The importance and great need of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus cannot be overstated. The purpose of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus is to educate the public on local voter suppression tactics, inform constituents on their rights as voters and to create and advance legislations such as the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 that help prevent current and future discriminatory and suppressive tactics that would deny American citizens the sacred right to vote. This 2016 Election will be the first time in over 50 years--that a presidential election will occur without the full protections of the Voting Rights Act. As a daughter of Selma, Alabama, I am painfully aware that injustices suffered on the Edmund Pettus Bridge over 50 years ago have not been fully vindicated. Though we may not be counting marbles in a jar, in over 30 states such as Alabama, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin--there remains example after example of modern day barriers that are keeping eligible Americans from the ballot box. We are desperately in need to join together and restore the vote. These threats to our democracy and civil rights bar thousands of Americans from their right to the voting polls. Along with Representative Marc Veasey and my fellow colleagues, I am committed to push for improving and strengthening Voting Rights legislation that makes voting easier, not harder for the American people. I believe this Caucus is a symbol of great hope for change, however--I do look forward to the day it is no longer needed. This is America, this is a democracy and eligible voters should have full and free access to the polls. I ask that not only members of this new Caucus, but that all my colleagues stand up and speak out in order to restore the vote. We all must fight against voter suppression and discrimination at the polls. We all must protect the principles of this great country and the integrity of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. We must restore the vote. On this Restoration Tuesday, I give us all the charge to battle against the continued suppression of the American vote and stand strong by our principles of democracy, liberty and justice for all. Mr. Speaker, my Republican colleagues should join the 168 members of Congress and support H.R. 2867--the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015. Let's restore the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It is the right thing to do.

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 2121, the S.A.F.E. Transitional Licensing Act of 2015. I am proud to serve as an original Democratic cosponsor of this commonsense, yet critically important, legislation. I also applaud my colleagues, led by Representative Stivers, for working in a bipartisan way to draft this legislation that we are considering here today. Homeownership continues to be and remains a dream for millions of Americans across the country. This legislation is an important step towards helping to ensure that this dream becomes a reality. H.R. 2121 helps to facilitate a loan originator's job mobility while ensuring that State regulators continue to have the ability to protect consumers and the marketplace. This legislation offers a narrowly tailored and pragmatic solution that provides a transitional authority to originate mortgages for individuals who move from a federally insured institution to a nonbank lender. During this transition, these individuals will also work to meet the S.A.F.E. Act's licensing and testing requirements. Over the past several years, State regulators, key industry stakeholders, and Members of Congress have been engaged in an extensive dialogue on ways to eliminate job barriers for loan originators as well as to help to promote homeownership for qualified buyers. I am committed to continuing to ensure that our housing finance and mortgage system continues to deliver fair, sustainable, and responsible financing to meet the ever-changing needs of homeownership. H.R. 2121 is truly a reflection of what can be achieved when we all work together towards a unified and shared goal. I urge my colleagues to support this critically important piece of legislation. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.