Member of Congress
Eric Swalwell
- Role
- Former Representative
- State
- CA
- Party
- Democrat
Speeches
MIDDLE CLASS HEALTH BENEFITS TAX REPEAL ACT OF 20192020-03-27
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Speaker, we will get through this. That is who we are. That is what we do. Throughout our country's history, with leadership and resources, the American people have shown resilience to overcome every crisis we faced. This will be no different. As we meet here in this Chamber, across America, from Eden Hospital in Castro Valley, California, to hospitals in New York City, our health workers, our doctors, our nurses, our receptionists--the janitors who support them--are toiling away to heal the sick. We see them. We hear them. We need them. And this bill, more than for anyone else, is for them. This relief package also helps the next generation: student borrowers, people who are working their first jobs and paying off their student loan debt and, without a paycheck, find themselves in financial quicksand. This allows them to cancel their payments through the end of the fall and also suspends the accrual of interest. Mr. Speaker, we will get through this. It is just who we are, and it is what we do.
RECOGNIZING MEGAN LYNCH ON HER RETIREMENT2020-03-09
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Megan Lynch on her retirement from the Eden Township Healthcare District (District) Board of Directors on February 20, 2020. Megan has long held a passion for public health and welfare, from as early as her role as a kitchen aide at the Eden Medical Center during her college years. She earned a bachelor's degree in integrative biology at the University of California, Berkeley, and in 2015 earned a master's degree in health care administration from the California State University, East Bay. Much of Megan's fantastic work has been with healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente. As part of its Delivery System Strategy team, she has risen through the ranks over the past five years, serving as an associate planning manager since 2018. Megan also was selected to complete Kaiser Permanente's Northern California Region's Emerging Leaders Development Program that year, a testament to her strong leadership and dedication to the well-being of the community. Megan's work to promote the health of her neighbors has not been restricted to her roles with Kaiser Permanente. Since 2016, Megan has served on the board of directors for the Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD), and as its vice chair in 2019. On that board, she was instrumental in helping steer ETHD away from possible dissolution by the Local Agency Formation Commission in Alameda County, and as chair of ETHD's Community Health Advisory Committee. Meanwhile, Megan has served as the third vice president at the Eden Medical Center Auxiliary, and in 2019 as a member of the Davis Street Family Resource Center's board of directors, helping its vision to provide integrated services to improve the quality of life in the Eden Area. In her spare time, Megan also volunteers at CityTeam Oakland to help those experiencing homelessness and poverty or suffering hunger and addiction. Stepping down from her position with ETHD, Megan is preparing to fulfill her dream to become an emergency medicine physician by entering medical school this summer. I wish her all the best as she prepares for her studies, and I know that she will continue to be a strong advocate for local healthcare.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION2020-03-09
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I was unable to be present for votes taken on Tuesday, March 3, due to it being primary election day in California. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows: Roll Call Vote Number 81 (Passing H. Res. 387): YES; and Roll Call Vote Number 82 (Passing H.R. 4508, the Malala Yousafzai Scholarship Act): YES.
REMEMBERING KENNETH C. RYKEN2020-01-28
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor the life and memory of Kenneth C. Ryken, who recently passed away. Ken was born in Walnut Creek, California on April 27, 1965, to proud parents Richard and Deanna Ryken. He grew up in the East Bay where he attended and graduated from Hayward High School in 1983. Upon graduating from high school, Ken went on to study at Chabot College, San Francisco State University, and the University of Southern California, where he received his law degree. After graduating law school, Ken began practicing law with Sedgwick LLP, and in 1996 he joined the Alameda County District Attorney's office where I had the privilege of having him as a colleague. Ken served as the office's finance director and an assistant district attorney until his passing on January 5, 2020. Ken was frequently described as a ``rock'' and a ``shining star'' by his colleagues and superiors. One of the accomplishments Ken was most proud of during his career was the creation of Clean Slate Services in collaboration with the East Bay Community Law Center. This practice helps reduce the pathways into the criminal justice system and removes barriers to employment and civic participation for people with criminal records. Ken's work was pivotal to the creation of this program, and it is only one of the many highlights of his career. Ken's commitment to public service and his community extended beyond working for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office. Ken was a proud member of the 100 Club and the Hayward Rotary Club, and he served on the board of directors for the Hayward Area Historical Society. Outside of work Ken was known to be a music enthusiast who especially loved his bass guitar. We lost Ken far too soon. He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Jean Luevano, as well as his children, Jackson and Lauren, grandson, Wesley, parents, Dick and Deanna, and siblings, Tim and Kathy. Ken loved spending time with his family and was always a proud husband, father, and grandfather. His legacy will live on through them and the everlasting impact he made on our community.
IMPEACHING DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, FOR HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS2019-12-18
Mr. SWALWELL
Mr. SWALWELL. Madam Speaker, Donald Trump is using the Presidency to put his own personal gain above our national interests. He is using our taxpayer dollars and foreign interference to cheat the next election, and it jeopardizes our national security and integrity at the ballot box. Not a single fact in this case is seriously in dispute. I ask my colleagues: Who sent his personal lawyer to Ukraine to investigate his political rival? Who fired an ambassador who stood in his way? Who conditioned a White House meeting on investigations that only personally benefited him and not the national interest? Who cut off military aid to an ally that desperately needed it? Who pressured President Zelensky to conduct those investigations? Who stood on the White House lawn and asked not only Ukraine to investigate his rival, but also China? Who has buried evidence and blocked witnesses from testifying? And who is still today sending his personal lawyer to Ukraine to dig up dirt and rig an election? The answer to all of these questions is President Donald Trump. This is a crime spree in progress, but we know how to stop it: courage. Yes, this investigation has shown us how corrupt President Trump is, but it has also shown us the courage of some of our fellow patriotic civil servants, who have used their courage to not only stand up around the world to extinguish corruption, but also to extinguish it at the White House. How so? Well, my colleagues argue: ``No harm, no foul. Ukraine got the aid.'' Wrong. Trump cheated. Patriots caught him. Then Ukraine got the aid. Standing up, it turns out, works. Now is the time to summon the courage of those patriots and to summon the courage that they showed against Donald Trump. If they can risk their careers, even their lives, to do the right thing, can my colleagues also do the same? After all, more is on the line than just military aid to an ally. Our national security is at stake. Stand up for that. Our election integrity is at stake. Stand up for that. Our Constitution is at stake. Stand up for that.
RECOGNIZING CHRISTOPHER FOSS2019-12-05
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the dutiful work of my constituent, Dublin City Manager Christopher Foss, on the occasion of his retirement after nearly 40 years of service in local government.
RECOGNIZING MICKEY GANITCH2019-11-21
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Mickey Ganitch, World War II (WWII) Navy veteran and survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor, who celebrated his 100th birthday on November 18, 2019. Mr. Ganitch proudly refers to his younger self as, ``just a country boy from Ohio.'' He was born into a large family and had 13 brothers and sisters. As a young man, Mr. Ganitch's curiosity resulted in a close following of world events and he began to see the deterioration of the situations in Europe and Asia. His concern about the human condition drove him to join the Navy in January 1941, less than 11 months before the Pearl Harbor attack. When December 6, 1941 arrived, Mr. Ganitch was going about his business on the USS Pennsylvania in a football jersey. He was on the ship's team and was supposed to play a game against those serving on the USS Arizona that day. Shortly before a practice, the ship's phone rang, alerting the crew of an incoming attack. With rounds bombarding the ship and its crew, Mr. Ganitch climbed the main mast to the crow's nest. From there he was able to alert the gunners below of further incoming enemies, allowing them to bring them down and saving the lives of those on the decks beneath him. While his experience in Pearl Harbor was certainly a defining moment in his life, Mr. Ganitch continued to serve throughout WWII and the Korean War. He was later assigned to a recruitment post in Oakland, California, right back where his military career began, before retiring as a Senior Chief Quartermaster on October 10, 1963. Mr. Ganitch is a fixture in our community. He is immediately recognizable by his vivid and extensive wardrobe of Hawaiian shirts and larger-than-life smile. He was also known for how well he ``cut a rug'' during the musical numbers at every Veterans Day event. Even today, Mr. Ganitch devotes his time to volunteering with veterans' organizations in the Bay Area and educating school children about the war in an effort to never let the events at Pearl Harbor be forgotten. I thank Mr. Ganitch for his selfless service to our country. I hope to continue learning from his example of a century-long life well- lived.
RECOGNIZING CHIEF DAVE SPILLER2019-11-14
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the dutiful work of my constituent, Police Chief Dave Spiller, on the occasion his retirement from the Pleasanton Police Department after 17 years of service. Chief Spiller joined the Pleasanton Police Department in 2002 after more than a decade serving the San Diego and Mountain View Police Departments. In 2011, Chief Spiller was appointed to be Pleasanton's sixth police chief. He has served in every sworn rank of the police profession--from officer to chief. Chief Spiller's colleagues can attest not only to his professionalism but to his commitment to safety and quality of life in Pleasanton. His leadership as police chief was characterized by compassion, integrity and responsiveness to the city. Chief Spiller's commitment to law enforcement has left an immeasurable impact that extends far beyond his own department. In his time as chief he has modernized the department's training, technology, and equipment. He has fostered lasting partnerships that have shaped the future of his community and local law enforcement. Chief Spiller's passion for public service is reflected by his pursuit of higher education which culminated in his master's degree in public leadership from St. Mary's College. Through his service as an advisory board member on the Administration of Justice Board and an adjunct faculty member at Las Positas College, Chief Spiller is cultivating a future police force that will reflect the same integrity and commitment that he has brought to the law enforcement community. In addition, Chief Spiller serves as a member of the International Criminal Justice Board at the University of San Francisco, a member of the Board of Directors for the California Police Chiefs Association, and he is an independent contract trainer and group facilitator serving non-profit organizations and municipal governments. I want to thank Chief Spiller for the contributions he has made to the Pleasanton Police department and community. Your extraordinary vision and leadership will be missed, and we wish you a fulfilling retirement.
DIRECTING CERTAIN COMMITTEES TO CONTINUE ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS INTO WHETHER SUFFICIENT GROUNDS EXIST FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF DONALD JOHN TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES2019-10-31
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, ``I would like you to do us a favor, though.'' President Trump said those 10 words on July 25 to Ukraine's President before asking Ukrainian President Zelensky to investigate a potential political opponent. For the past month, the Intelligence Committee has led an investigation into what happened around that phone call. In this early investigative stage, we have heard powerful, corroborating evidence that President Trump led an extortion shakedown scheme over the Ukrainians, leveraging $391 million of taxpayer dollars to have a foreign power assist him in his upcoming campaign. Just as powerful as the evidence we heard is the courage of the people who have come forward to provide it, defying lawless White House orders to obstruct and, instead, adhering to lawful congressional subpoenas. The evidence, however, is not a conclusion. At this stage, we must move now to a public process with due process protections for the President to secure and test that evidence. When our Founders designed the Constitution, they considered a lawless President and how to hold that person accountable. James Madison said the Constitution needed a provision for defending the community against lawlessness. Now we must solemnly embark upon this journey.
RECOGNIZING GRACE CRUNICAN2019-10-28
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, along with Representatives Barbara Lee, Zoe Lofgren, Ro Khanna, Mark DeSaulnier, and Anna Eshoo, I rise to recognize Grace Crunican, who earlier this year retired as the general manager of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. Grace began her long career in transportation management in 1979 when she was appointed to the Presidential Management Intern Program at the U.S. Department of Transportation. She continued to work in a variety of roles in transportation management before going to Seattle to direct its Department of Transportation. In Seattle she implemented its Transit Master Plan, which included Seattle Connections, the Bike Master Plan, the Freight Mobility Strategic Plan and the Pedestrian Master Plan. These initiatives helped to reduce congestion and commute times, helping Seattle achieve the U.S. Kyoto Protocol goals. In 2011 she joined BART as general manager. In that role Grace oversaw a staff of more than 3,000 full time employees operating a $15 billion transit network. With over three decades in the public transportation industry, she displayed the necessary leadership and focus to provide safe and reliable transportation services for all Bay Area communities. Grace's hard work and dedication will result in the replacement and expansion of more than 1,000 new rail cars for BART. Her leadership also encouraged collaboration with BART's labor force to ensure both riders and workers benefit from policy changes. She developed and implemented policies that deepen BART's ties to the communities it serves by prioritizing inclusive planning that benefits small business owners, low-income and homeless riders, and the LGBTQ community. Her affordable housing initiative enhanced accessibility by requiring the inclusion of no less than thirty-five percent affordable housing on all BART transit-oriented development projects. Additionally, she coordinated local and federal resources and fostered regional partnerships to reduce congestion for eastern Contra Costa County communities during peak commute times and led the opening of BART's Oakland International Airport and Warm Springs/South Fremont stations. Grace has been a tireless advocate for improved public transit throughout her career. We want to thank her for her years of service to the Bay Area and to wish her well in all her future endeavors.
RECOGNIZING AL BURTON2019-10-28
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, joined by Representatives Jackie Speier and Anna Eshoo, I rise to recognize legendary television producer Al Burton, who died last week at his home in the Bay Area at the age of 91. Born in 1928 in Columbus, Ohio, Al graduated from Northwestern University in 1948. Then it was off to California where he made his mark. Al initially focused on shows and events targeted at teens, becoming known as the Teen Dean of Television, with shows like Tele-Teen Reporter and Spotlight on Youth. He also created the Miss Teen-Age America pageant ( which became Miss Teen USA). During this early period Al worked with a young Johnny Carson on the game show Do You Trust Your Wife? (later retitled Who Do You Trust?) and produced as well as directed a weekly talk show, The Oscar Levant Show. In the 1960s, Al put on live and broadcast musical concerts. This included the first live television performance of The Beach Boys, the first appearance in the U.S. of The Rolling Stones, as well as concerts by The Doors, Cream, and The Four Seasons. Then, starting in the early 1970s, Al worked with Norman Lear to revolutionize and change the very face of television. He worked on such iconic shows as All in the Family, The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Diff'rent Strokes, and The Facts ofLife. Al went to work on his own in 1983, continuing to produce television shows. These shows included Charles in Charge, The New Lassie, and Win Ben Stein's Money. During Al's long career his positive attitude and steadying demeanor helped manage difficult talent to allow the show to go on. For many of his television shows he even wrote and published the theme song as well. Al's contribution to American culture is immeasurable. Millions of Americans, and indeed people around the world, have him to thank for helping to expand their horizons and for countless hours of pure enjoyment. Our deepest condolences go out to his wife, Sally Burton, and their daughter, Jennifer Burton Werbe.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION2019-10-28
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, due to a family obligation I missed one vote on October 22. Had I been present I would have voted as follows: Roll Call Vote Number 576 (Motion to Recommit H.R. 2513): NO.
STOPPING HARMFUL INTERFERENCE IN ELECTIONS FOR A LASTING DEMOCRACY ACT2019-10-23
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk, No. 6, made in order under the rule.
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the underlying bill and my amendment, which would include a candidate's immediate family members to those whose direct or indirect contacts or communications with a foreign national may amount to a reportable foreign contact. I also think it is very fitting that we are doing this legislation in the same week that we will honor Oversight and Reform Committee Chairman, Elijah Cummings, someone who I have had the privilege of not only working with but being represented by when I was a law student in Baltimore. But Elijah, the gentleman from Maryland, and I worked to write the Protecting Our Democracy Act immediately after the Russian interference campaign. Every member of the Democrat Caucus and members from the Republican Caucus signed on to that. I still believe that is the best way to address what the Russians did in 2016 and to harden our systems so they don't do it again. But I believe that this effort, the SHIELD Act, led by Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren will go a very, very long way in protecting our elections, and I thank the chairwoman for her leadership in this effort. American elections should be decided by Americans. Ms. Lofgren's bill will go a long way to stopping secret foreign attempts to influence our democracy, as we saw in 2016. We know that as a part of Russia's attack on us, it purchased social media advertisements. Madam Chair, 3,500 advertisements on political or public policy topics were purchased using rubles. To combat this conduct, I had introduced in May, H.R. 2853, the Corporate Duty to Report Act. Part of my bill would require companies distributing political communications, including social media companies, to take the small but important step in at least asking if the purchaser is a foreign national. I thank Chairwoman Lofgren for including this concept in the SHIELD Act. We also learned in June 2016 that Donald Trump, Jr., was told over email that the Russian Government was offering ``official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia,'' which was, ``part of Russia and its government support for Mr. Trump.'' Don Jr., replied in part, ``If it's what you say, I love it, especially later in the summer.'' Then he accepted the offer of assistance. He told a lot of people about the offer, including his brother-in-law and the chairman of the campaign, he had a meeting around the offer, but he never told law enforcement. This is the part of the honor code that most candidates in America follow. It is just the right thing to do. Unfortunately, Donald Trump, Jr.'s conduct highlights that we have to take parts of the honor code that good people usually just follow and codify them into law. I wrote the Duty to Report Act last Congress with Senator Richard Blumenthal, who sponsored it in the Senate, that also would include immediate family members, not just the candidate to tell law enforcement, but the parent, parent-in-law, spouse, adult child, or sibling. I am afraid that someone like Don Jr., who didn't have an official role in the Trump campaign, would not be included in the SHIELD Act as written, and that is the reason I am offering this amendment. Madam Chair, I ask for support on my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Chair, I yield myself the balance of my time. I appreciate the gentleman's concerns and I accept that the gentleman would report, if he was contacted by a foreign national. And I want to clarify, in the legislation under section (c)(1), the term is covered, ``foreign national,'' which means a foreign principal who would fall subject to the Foreign Agents Registration Act. So it is not an immigrant. It is not any person born outside the United States. It is someone acting on behalf of a foreign agent. And it also has a ``knowing standard,'' meaning that you would have to have some knowledge that this person is acting on behalf of a foreign agent. And the Donald Trump, Jr., example, it was represented that the individuals were working with the prosecutor general of Russia, so clearly, that would be notice that this is on behalf of a foreign agent. Now, I also want to just point out that, yes, there is an honor code that we all follow, and I believe most of my colleagues would tell the FBI. And, of course, in 2000, when the Gore campaign received debate prep materials for the Bush campaign, the Gore campaign went to the FBI because it was provided by a foreign national. However, what we learned in 2016 is not everyone is as honorable, and so we have to codify this. And I do believe that we will be judged by what we do as our democracy has been tested. And not only what we do, but what we learn from the vulnerabilities that have been exposed. And that is why I think it is so important that Ms. Lofgren's legislation is voted for and passed on this floor, and that we include this amendment to make sure it is not just candidates, but also the family members. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE WITH RESPECT TO WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT MADE TO INSPECTOR GENERAL OF INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY2019-09-25
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, the gentleman from Ohio had asked earlier: Where does it say in the President's notes--and these are notes; this is not a transcript--the word, ``favor''? Page 3, I would direct the gentleman: ``I would like you to do us a favor,'' the President of the United States says. And the problem with this mob-like tactic is that, when you ask someone to do a favor, you owe that person something in return. And, when that person is a foreign leader, that means, as President of the United States, one day you will have to put a foreign leader's interests ahead of America's interests. This is only the tip of the iceberg, this note that the President has released, and that is why it is important that we hear from the whistleblower. It is also important to note that Ukraine depends on the U.S. economically, militarily, and the credibility we afford to them when we support them. So, you don't need to be explicit with them when you tell them that you need a favor and you are withholding military funds. In this case, the whistleblower did everything right; so now it is time for the Acting Director of National Intelligence to do the same.
RECOGNIZING JOSEPH ALEXANDER2019-08-06
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize United States Marine Corps Private First Class (PFC) Joseph Alexander on the occasion of his receiving the Congressional Gold Medal issued to the Montford Point Marines. The approximately 20,000 Montford Point Marines were the first African Americans to enlist in the United States Marine Corps after an executive order issued by President Franklin Roosevelt in June 1941 took the first steps to end racial discrimination in employment with federal government agencies. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Joseph's personal service began when he was just 19 years old in June 1943. He went through boot camp at Montford Point, North Carolina, as the nearby Camp Lejeune was off-limits if you were not being escorted by a white Marine. When his training was complete, Joseph shipped out to fight in the Pacific theater where he participated in the effort to push Japanese forces out of the Marshall Islands. Like many veterans, Joseph chose not to speak much about his experience during the war. He returned home, got married, raised five children, and settled in Hayward in 1972. Only recently, in an effort to get him connected with benefits through the Veterans Administration, did the family find documentation that connected Joseph to the Montford Point Marines. Our community has rallied together to honor Joseph, who will be 95 years old in September. He recently received his own copy of the Congressional Gold Medal from the National Montford Point Marine Association at a ceremony hosted by American Legion Hayward Post 870 and American Veterans Post 911 at the Hayward Veterans Memorial Building. Joseph, thank you for your service. Not only for your bravery in war, but also for your contribution to breaking down the barriers that prevented all people from fighting for our country and the freedom of its people.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION2019-07-23
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, on June 28, I indicated how I would have voted on certain votes I missed that week. For three votes the wrong bill number is listed in the Record. To clarify, here is the correct information with respect to those votes: Roll Call Vote Number 412 (Passing H. AMDT. 485 to H.R. 3351 offered by Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton): Yes; Roll Call Vote Number 424 (Passing H.R. 3351, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2020): Yes; and, Roll Call Vote Number 429 (Agreeing to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3401, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Humanitarian Assistance and Security at the Southern Border Act, 2019): No.
CONDEMNING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RACIST COMMENTS DIRECTED AT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS2019-07-16
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, we have an opportunity today to condemn or condone. Birtherism is racist. Saying a Mexican judge can't be fair because of his heritage is racist. Saying immigrants from Mexico are rapists is racist. Saying there were good people on both sides in Charlottesville is racist. Calling African countries * * * countries is racist, and telling four Members of this body to go home is racist. point of order
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Do you think it is not racist?
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Do you think it is not racist, Mr. Collins?
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Is that what you are saying right now, Mr. Collins? Mr. Collins, is it not racist to say these things? Because you can say that right now.
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, I will withdraw an offensive word. Madam Speaker, may I have an additional 30 seconds?
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Madam Speaker, we have an opportunity today to condemn or condone. Birtherism is racist. Saying a Mexican judge cannot be fair because of his heritage is racist. Saying immigrants from Mexico are rapists is racist. Telling four Members of this body to go home because of where you believe they are from is racist. There is racism coming out of the White House. There is racism coming out of the White House. So where will you stand today? That is the question we face: Where will we stand? Will we stop and extinguish the flames of racism from the White House or will we continue to fan them? History and our children are watching.
DAMON PAUL NELSON AND MATTHEW YOUNG POLLARD INTELLIGENCE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEARS 2018, 2019, AND 20202019-07-16
Mr. SWALWELL of California
Mr. SWALWELL of California. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman of our committee for working with the minority to put together a bipartisan piece of legislation that serves our national security purposes. I also want to acknowledge both of the individuals for whom the bill is named, but particularly Damon Paul Nelson, the former staff director for the then-majority at the time, someone whom I and my colleagues saw put his heart and soul into the committee and someone who was able to keep many lines of communication that were necessary open during some of our most trying times. This is a fitting recognition of his service to our country. As chairman of the Intelligence Modernization and Readiness Subcommittee, I celebrate this bipartisan bill and the patriotic young people who enter service in the intelligence community, sometimes immediately after college, despite extraordinary student debt. For that reason, we have included measures to enhance intelligence community- wide student loan repayment and forgiveness programs. Reducing the financial burden on intelligence community workers helps us recruit and retain a talented and diverse workforce to remain competitive with the private sector. To that aim, we have also included a measure to authorize 12 weeks of paid parental leave for intelligence community employees in the event of a birth or adoption. This authority would supplement the 12 weeks of unpaid leave currently afforded to intelligence community employees and other government personnel under existing law, sending a strong message to the intelligence community workforce that they do not need to choose between their career, serving our country, and their family. These will help the intelligence community recruit and retain individuals capable of meeting the security goals of the United States and will set the example for other Federal agencies seeking pro-worker policies. Our goal on the subcommittee is to anticipate the needs of the intelligence community workforce. Reaching across the aisle for our intelligence community is how we will secure a next-generation intelligence community workforce.