Abigail Spanberger

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of my amendment demanding action in response to the Havana syndrome incidents affecting Americans around the world. The recent string of mysterious attacks on U.S. diplomats and personnel, often called Havana syndrome, is a serious threat to our national security. Having spoken directly with individuals impacted, I know these attacks are having lasting and detrimental impacts on the health of our Nation's public servants. I stand here today to call for a robust, interagency response, one that reflects the severity and urgency of the situation. The State Department must play an active role in this response, share relevant information with Congress, particularly the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and make sure all affected personnel receive prompt and appropriate care. It is our duty to ensure our public servants get the care and answers they deserve. As a former Federal employee, I intend to keep pressing the administration to better protect our diplomats and Federal employees serving at home and abroad. I know firsthand their commitment to their missions, their devotion to our country, and the promises we have made to them. I urge my colleagues to join me in this cause.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on my amendments to this legislation, which represent key central Virginia priorities as we rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic. I thank the chairwoman for her tremendous work, and I look forward to moving forward with this legislation. My 340B-related amendment sends a message to big pharmaceutical companies: stop hiking drug prices on consumers and discriminating against 340B providers and pharmacies. My amendment to boost funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program reflects the requests I have heard directly from central Virginia food banks, their staff, and their volunteers, as they fight hunger. My bipartisan amendment to increase support for NRCS field staff would help crop and livestock producers implement conservation practices that help their bottom lines. As we look to maintain telehealth services that expanded during the pandemic, my amendment to strengthen Federal funding for telehealth resource centers would directly benefit providers like the Karen S. Rheuban Center for Telehealth at UVA, which serves so many of my constituents. Finally, my amendment to strengthen ReConnect funding demonstrates our continued commitment as a Congress and as a community to closing the digital divide and expanding broadband internet access throughout our communities.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``nay'' on rollcall No. 226.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of repealing the 1991 Authorization for Use of Military Force. Today, we have another opportunity to demonstrate that Congress is serious about reclaiming congressional war powers and serious about representing the servicemembers and veterans who have served our country. Too often, they have served under authorities that were signed into law decades previously. While the Constitution is clear that only Congress can declare war, we have steadily surrendered this responsibility to the executive branch. Building off the House's vote earlier this month to repeal the 2002 AUMF, we are considering today two additional bipartisan bills that repeal other outdated and inactive AUMFs. First, we are considering my legislation to repeal the 1991 AUMF against Iraq. This AUMF was Congress' authorization for the first Gulf war of 1991 in response to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait 30 years ago. The short military conflict that took place under this authority has been over for three decades, and we must remove this old, inactive authority from the books. Repealing this AUMF would help ensure that it is not misused or stretched by any American President going forward. I thank the broad range of Members and advocates who have supported this legislation and helped bring us to where we are today. Representatives Gallagher, Golden, and Meijer have been critical partners in this effort to repeal inactive, outdated AUMFs. We come from different political persuasions and different areas of the country, but we share backgrounds in national security, a commitment to serving our constituents, and a focus on our constitutional responsibilities. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Meeks and Ranking Member McCaul are also original cosponsors of our bill to repeal the 1991 AUMF. They have been instrumental in moving this legislation forward quickly, including a unanimous vote out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee earlier this year. I applaud Chairman Meeks for his leadership of the committee and for sending a clear message that Congress must assert its war powers. Even as a Democratic chairman with a Democrat in the White House, Chairman Meeks is making clear that this is not about a particular President. It is about fulfilling our obligation as Members of Congress. Intelligence Committee Chair Schiff, Armed Services Committee Chair Smith, State and Foreign Operations Chair Lee, Rules Chair McGovern, and Rules Ranking Member Cole are also original cosponsors of this bill. And I truly appreciate the many other cosponsors who have been on board with this legislation, many of whom have served our Nation in national security roles prior to coming to Congress. I also want to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee for her leadership on AUMF issues and congratulate her on the House voting with strong bipartisan support to repeal the 2002 AUMF earlier this month.

Ms. SPANBERGER. Notably, my bill to repeal the 1991 AUMF is also supported by a broad range of foreign policy and veterans-focused organizations. The American Legion, the United States' largest veterans service organization, has emphasized the importance of Congress reasserting its constitutional authority over war powers. In addition, I thank the many other organizations that have been supportive of this effort for their endorsement of our legislation. For years, Americans have been calling on their Representatives in Congress to exercise our responsibility to make decisions on war and peace. We cannot simply allow AUMFs to accumulate without congressional action. We have more work ahead of us as we reassert congressional war powers and reform, repeal, and, in some cases, update AUMFs. But, today, we can take an important step by passing my widely supported legislation to repeal a 30-year Authorization for Use of Military Force. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' on the repeal of the 1991 Gulf war Authorization for Use of Military Force.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of repealing the 1957 AUMF. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member, I was also not born when this Authorization for Use of Military Force was put in place. In addition to considering my legislation to repeal the 1991 Gulf war AUMF, I am pleased that we are considering a separate bill that I co- led with Congressman Meijer to repeal an open-ended resolution from 1957 that authorized the use for military force in the Middle East. This Cold War-era authorization still on the books today is more than 60 years old, and it provides outdated, blank-check authorities to an executive branch or Presidential administration that might seek to justify expanded operations in the Middle East. It is not necessary, and we must repeal it. Repealing this resolution would not undermine any existing U.S. military operations, but it would help ensure that its significantly outdated authorities are not used or abused by any future President. Additionally, it would show that Congress is ready to exercise its responsibilities under the Constitution. I was pleased to see this bill pass out of the Foreign Affairs Committee on a voice vote, and I appreciate Congressman Meijer's leadership, as well as the bipartisan cosponsors who have joined him. It is far past time for Congress to reassert our war powers. I welcome the bipartisan and diverse coalitions that have mobilized around this shared goal of constitutional responsibility, Congress demonstrating its sense of responsibility as it relates to authorizing war powers in moving forward with repealing these outdated and unused authorizations. We owe it to our constituents, especially those who have served in uniform. While they time and time again demonstrate their willingness to serve our Nation, there should never be a worry that they may be deployed under a 60-year-old-plus authority. It is important that every time we send servicemembers off to war, we here in the United States Congress are taking the step of being responsible by voting on authorizations. Today, it is time to vote to take this outdated resolution off the books. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to do so today.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my dear colleague from Michigan for putting together this Special Order for us to talk about our former colleague--and for so many of us--our friend, Representative Paul Mitchell. Mr. Speaker, I first had the opportunity to meet Representative Mitchell on the floor of the House when his youngest son was visiting. We were on the House floor, entering our cards in for a vote, and Paul's son wanted to help push the voting button for different Members. Paul, at that time, was a Republican; I am a Democrat. And if you gave your card to Paul's son, he would invariably vote with the Republicans, regardless of who you were. So there were quite a few engaged Democrats who thought they were being so kind letting a child vote, who had to run over to the well right behind me to change their vote, because, indeed--I believe he was 10 at the time--a 10-year-old had somehow mischievously voted incorrectly. Paul was simultaneously delighted by what was a bit of a funny experience on the House floor, but also a little bit embarrassed that people were running over, That was Paul. He would bring, and does bring, joy to every meeting. He is a serious person, focused on policy, focused on truth, on reality, on the things that matter to him, which were: his incredible career in business, on his wonderful family, eminently proud of his children; and, particularly, always willing to draw on his personal experiences in business, as a parent--as a parent of a law enforcement officer--to find commonality and to advocate for the things that he believes in. And during our time in Congress, I was so grateful to serve on the Problem Solvers Caucus, or to be part of the Problem Solvers Caucus with Paul, where invariably during our weekly meetings, he would be a jovial part of those meetings, focused on the hard work of legislating, but also on bringing a bit of humanity and commonality to the people gathered around the table, sometimes engaging in very, very difficult conversations. Paul made the very hard decision to retire after his terms in Congress. It was one that, as a friend, I heard him talk through the pros, the cons, whether he was ready to leave this place. A place that, while he was here, he so deeply loved, and a place where I believe as a colleague, I saw him make a significant impact. But ultimately, with a young child at home, a beautiful farm with lots of sheep, and a renewed interest in a love of racing, Paul did decide that it was time for him to retire. Since his retirement, I have been a friend who has been on the receiving end of so many photos, as I am sure so many of our colleagues here have been, of snowy days on the farm in Michigan, beautiful views of the water, and race cars. As a Virginian, we have a NASCAR racetrack just on the line of my district--I generally like to claim it. And Paul was scheduled before his diagnosis to come to Virginia for a race. And I just thought how hysterical is that for a man I used to talk hard policy issues and debate policy and disagree--sometimes very fervently--with is now going to be literally racing through my district--or just adjacent--in his race car. So I look forward to the time when Paul--because he is a fighter, regardless of any diagnosis--I think we know that he is intent on getting back in his race car, back to his farm, and certainly continuing to be engaged and focused. I look forward to the time when we could welcome him in Virginia for him to race around the track. I am unsure whether or not I may choose to enter into that vehicle with him, but I might stand on the sidelines and cheer. Mr. Speaker, Paul was an incredible friend. He was an incredibly good Member of Congress, because at every moment, he just was focused on what was right. I know that is how he was in business, in his personal life before he came here. I know that is how he continues to be. Certainly, as a new Member of Congress, witnessing someone who has always genuinely shown kindness and heart, every conversation he had here in the Halls of Congress was a great example to me. I am so proud to have served with him during his time in Congress, but far more than that, I am deeply honored to call Paul Mitchell a friend, a real friend, and deeply honored to know that he is someone who will always stand up for truth, who will always stand up for what is right, who will always stand up for his family, for his friends, and for his country. So my dear friend, I wish you the very best as you continue in your recovery. We are all thinking of you. I am so grateful for your friendship.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, on October 16, 2002, the United States Congress voted to authorize military action against Saddam Hussein's Iraq. The text of the authorization was clear. That was its purpose. Years later, Saddam Hussein is long dead, and our military action has ended. The 2002 AUMF is separate and distinct from the 2001 AUMF, which authorized our counterterrorism efforts after 9/11 and which remains in use today. The 2002 AUMF is not in use. It is long overdue for repeal, which is why we have voted multiple times to repeal the 2002 AUMF with bipartisan support. Since coming to Congress, I have been very clear, Congress must reassert congressional authority in decisions of war and peace. The authority is required by our Constitution, and it is fundamental to our representation of our constituents, especially our servicemembers. Our men and women in uniform deserve to see a new era of congressional accountability, one where Members of Congress do not shirk their accountability when it comes to issues of war and peace.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise to remember the life of a courageous, kind, and selfless Virginian, Mike Lecik. Service was an unwavering part of who Mike was. Throughout his career, Mike served as an Air Force firefighter, an assistant fire chief with the U.S. Department of Defense, and the assistant chief at the Huguenot Volunteer Fire Department in central Virginia. As an Air Force firefighter, Mike deployed twice to the Middle East. After coming home to Powhatan County, he was proud to serve in his local volunteer fire department. He cared deeply for his community and his country. A few years ago, Mike was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer linked to the dangerous conditions of his service as an Air Force firefighter. I first got to know Mike because the VA did not recognize this connection, and he wanted to do something about it. He wanted to learn more about how the system could be changed for the better and for the benefit of his fellow servicemen and -women. This fight was not just about getting the support that he needed; rather, it was about the thousands of firefighters just like him who faced this challenge. Mike truly wanted every veteran firefighter to get the care they deserved. Mike passed away earlier this year at the age of 41. Mike was dedicated to his community, the safety of his neighbors, and, above all, his family. It was my honor to have him as a constituent. Mike leaves behind a family and a community that deeply cared for him, and he leaves behind a cause that is worth championing. Across the board, firefighters are more likely to be exposed to certain carcinogens. They are more likely to suffer certain diseases and illnesses because of their career. And they experience higher rates of cancer than the general U.S. population. This connection is well-documented by scientific research, but it is yet to be recognized by the VA, the Federal agency entrusted with caring for those who have borne the battle. Military firefighters put their lives on the line each day--not just to defend our country but also to selflessly defend their fellow servicemembers. But to this day, thousands of veteran firefighters are left uncovered by the VA for certain types of cancer treatments. Earlier this year, I reintroduced the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act in Mike's name to fix this longstanding issue. This bipartisan legislation would make sure diseases like Mike's are recognized as presumptive service-connected disabilities. By recognizing the long-term effects of military firefighting and the diseases that can arise from this career over time, our bill would provide much-needed peace of mind and security to thousands of veteran firefighters and their families. It would lift an undue burden off thousands of veterans experiencing severe and often-terminal illnesses. Right now, the VA doesn't cover significant treatment costs like those faced by Mike, as the VA, in many cases, does not recognize the direct service connection between firefighting and cancer as a presumptive service-connected disability beyond 1 year following Active Duty. Our legislation would establish the presumption that veteran firefighters who become disabled by serious diseases, including heart disease, lung disease, and certain cancers like Mike's, within 15 years of separating from Active Duty contracted the illness due to their service in the military. By creating this presumption, the VA would be required to provide equitable disability benefits and treatment cost coverage to veteran firefighters like Mike. This legislation has the support of Democrats and Republicans from across the political spectrum, including many who have served our country. Specifically, I would like to thank my Republican colleague, Congressman Bacon from Nebraska, himself an Air Force veteran of nearly 30 years, for his continued partnership in leading this bill. I thank Congressman Bacon for recognizing that this issue should unite us all because we all represent veterans with stories like Mike's. Even as he was engaged in the battle of his life--for his life--Mike was eager to make progress on this issue. When I first reached out to Mike to ask whether he would like to be involved with the legislation, he never hesitated. Mike had already been in touch with our team about some of his issues with the VA. And when asked if he wanted to take up this challenge and make a difference through the legislative process, he said: ``Absolutely.'' He was ready to take up the mantle for his fellow vets. It was his honor. Even as his illness progressed, he stayed apprised of new developments on this legislation, and my team was humbled to work with him. He showed incredible strength and determination that we will never forget. The Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act is about a fundamental question: How do we show our gratitude and appreciation to those who served, to those who have put on the uniform, and to those who have worked under hazardous and dangerous conditions to keep their countrymen and fellow servicemembers safe? The answer is found beyond platitudes. It is found beyond spoken promises. It is found in action. And it is found in delivering the benefits our veterans have earned through their sacrifice. No veteran who puts on the uniform should repeatedly have to make the argument that their injury, their illness, is connected to their service when the evidence is so apparent--to the degree that the majority of our States have already recognized the link between these serious diseases and the occupational hazards of firefighting and have enacted presumptive disability laws. In the case of Mike and thousands of firefighters like him, no veteran should experience a VA that refuses to help cover the costs of treating their service-connected cancer. As I urge my colleagues to recognize the urgent need to pass the Michael Lecik Military Firefighters Protection Act, I am thinking of his wife, Tiffany, and his three daughters, Amery, Aubrey, and Addy. He loved them deeply, and I work in his honor.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to honor the service of the law enforcement officers who protected Members of Congress, Capitol employees, and staff on January 6. On that day the U.S. Capitol Police and the Washington Metropolitan Police repelled an attack on our democracy. Bear spray, American flagpoles, fire extinguishers, and their own riot shields and Tasers were used against them. More than 100 police officers were injured that day--their eyes gouged, their ribs cracked, and their spinal disks were shattered; and countless more are grappling with terrible trauma. In the wake of the attack, these men and women have faced increased pressure, scrutiny, and threats. But, Mr. Speaker, if you walk out of this Chamber, you will see them standing strong--staying committed to their duty, their country, and their fellow Americans. On behalf of the people of central Virginia, and on behalf of a grateful Nation, I thank the Capitol Police and the Washington Metropolitan Police for their heroism and their bravery. I honor the lives and the legacies of those we have lost: Officer Brian Sicknick, Officer Howard Liebengood, Officer Billy Evans, and Officer Jeffrey Smith.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I stand here to honor the life and memory of William Edward Quarles, Jr. Mr. Quarles was a pillar of the Goochland County, Virginia, community, and he constantly worked to make Goochland stronger. He encouraged his neighbors to get involved in local decisionmaking, and he cared about improving public safety and protecting the families that called Goochland home. William was a dedicated leader with a heart for public service. He served on the Goochland County Board of Supervisors for 8 years, serving as chairman three times. He served for 6 years on the Goochland Planning Commission, including two times as chairman. He also served on the State EMS Advisory Board and as a representative for the Virginia Association of Counties. In these roles, he was skilled at finding consensus and preventing divisiveness. William was also a fierce champion of public education. Throughout his life, he fought to make sure that every child in the Goochland area could access quality education and new opportunities. He was a cofounder of the Goochland Education Foundation, and he was serving on the Goochland County School Board at the time of his death. William took on each day's new challenges with an unforgettable vigor, a bright smile, and a contagious laugh and enthusiasm. He always remained positive. His enthusiasm was contagious. People talked about how you couldn't talk to William without him pulling you into some sort of volunteerism, some level of civic engagement, some plan that he was working on. He helped people become their better selves, their more engaged selves, their more community- focused selves. Madam Speaker, last month, William passed away at the age of 68. He left a community mourning. A bright spot, a bright man, and a man who would bring such kindness to every endeavor, William liked to use a simple acronym, one that his father-in-law had also used. The acronym is SMILE: S--Seek to understand before being understood; M--Make the other person feel important; I--It is not about me; L--Listen twice as much as you speak; E--Enthusiastically and quickly admit it when you are wrong. Madam Speaker, when I began running for Congress, William gave me these lessons, this acronym SMILE. He said: ``Remember this. This is how you best serve people.'' As our Commonwealth and our Nation face new challenges, we would do well to follow William's advice as we seek solutions and work to come together. Madam Speaker, today, my thoughts are with his wife, Ruth; his sons, William and Christopher; his friends and family; and the greater Goochland community. William was a friend to everyone, and he considered everyone a friend.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I stand here to honor the life of Captain Donald Lambert, Jr. Last weekend, the Henrico County Police Department lost one of its own. Captain Lambert served in the Henrico Police Department for nearly 34 years, and his fellow officers remember him as a true friend, mentor, and leader. I had the privilege of getting to know Captain Lambert through his work as the head of the Henrico Special Operations Group. Captain Lambert's security expertise helped keep me, as well as my predecessors, Congressmen Brat and Cantor, and our staffs, out of harm's way, and I am forever grateful for his dedication to his work. Captain Lambert was a pillar of our central Virginia community. He was a dedicated member of the Henrico Police Department, but he will be remembered as a gifted musician, a beloved Sunday school teacher, and a man who demonstrated true compassion for others. Captain Lambert's decades of selfless service to the community of Henrico and the Commonwealth of Virginia will never be forgotten. Our hearts are with his family, friends, and fellow men and women of the Henrico County Police Department as they honor his life.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 1 to crack down on foreign-backed disinformation and propaganda on social media. This amendment is the text of the Bipartisan Foreign Agent Disclaimer Enhancement--FADE--Act. Under the FADE Act, political ads, issue campaigns, and content funded or directed by a foreign principal and intended to influence the American people must be disclosed to the Department of Justice. But too often, this rule does not extend to the world of social media. Additionally, foreign agents acting from abroad too often evade current disclaimer requirements. Amid the pandemic and following the 2020 general election, foreign governments continue to exploit existing vulnerabilities in our national security, including influencing Americans directly and infiltrating public discourse without their knowledge. Foreign adversaries, such as Russia, China, and Iran, are among the most active, and they are increasingly assertive in their efforts. Madam Speaker, this amendment will help protect against foreign influence that seeks to sow political division and promote dangerous information contrary to the Foreign Agents Registration Act. My amendment would require disclaimers--clearly stating this content is coming from a foreign principal.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment to H.R. 803. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the renewed importance of having safe and accessible public lands for our families and communities. As a proud Virginian, I know that Virginia's public lands not only provide opportunities for recreation and reflection but they are key to our tourism industry and our overall economy. My amendment would strengthen protections for two beautiful areas of the George Washington National Forest, the Rough Mountain and Rich Hole wilderness areas, following recommendations from the U.S. Forest Service in 2014. These areas offer outstanding scenic views, rare and endangered plants, age-old hardwood forests, and a dense population of black bears. This legislation, the Virginia Wilderness Additions Act, would allow these irreplaceable areas to remain open to recreation while also protecting their wildlife, natural resources, and trails for generations to come. I would like to thank Senators Kaine and Warner for their leadership on this issue in the Senate, as well as Representatives Luria and McEachin for working with me on this important amendment.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the Virginia National Guard--especially those from Virginia's Seventh Congressional District. Members of the Virginia National Guard serve their country and their communities on a daily basis. Over the past months, the Virginia National Guard has deployed with little notice and often for longer than originally expected. I want to thank and honor the Virginia National Guard for its expeditious deployment after the violent, deadly attack on the United States Capitol and assault on American democracy on January 6, 2021 and for their service since then to maintain security. Members of the Virginia National Guard also played a key role in protecting an essential American tradition--the peaceful transfer of power. I truly appreciate the members of the Virginia National Guard for their service before, during, and after the Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala D. Harris as the 49th Vice President of the United States. The Virginia National Guard's willingness and readiness to serve is particularly appreciated given the existing, significant strains on the Guard and on all Virginians. In addition to their service in Washington, D.C., I would like to recognize and honor the Virginia National Guard's instrumental role in assisting with the COVID-19 response in the Commonwealth as well as its continuing training and deployment schedules. We must all recognize that the Virginia National Guard has continued to serve the United States overseas, and continued to prepare for forthcoming needs, while also deploying to serve American communities during a global pandemic and serve our nation in the face of threats at home. Additionally, we cannot overlook the commitment and contributions not only of the members of the Guard themselves, but also of their families, employers, and communities who make their service possible

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 908. I rise today in support of my constituents of Asian descent. Central Virginia is the proud home to a strong and vibrant Asian- American community. And since COVID-19 began, we have seen a disturbing increase in hate crimes directed at the Asian-American community across the country, including in Virginia. Our neighbors, our fellow Americans, should never be the victims of discrimination, violence or derision. And today, I am proud to stand with them and support this resolution on the floor of the House. We should all actively and forcefully condemn these acts of hate directed at our friends and our neighbors, at home, across our communities. And today, I am proud to do so with my vote on the floor of the House. A vote that affirms the following: That we call on public officials to condemn and denounce anti-Asian sentiment; That we recognize that the health and safety of all Americans of any background should be our priority; That we condemn the manifestation and the expression of racism, xenophobia, and anti-Asian sentiment; That we call on Federal law enforcement officials working with State and local officials to expeditiously investigate hate crimes; and That we recommit the United States' leadership to build a more inclusive, tolerant society. Madam Speaker, to my colleagues who agree with these principles, I urge them to vote ``yes'' in support of this resolution and in support of our neighbors. I, for one, will proudly vote ``yes.''

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the remarks of the gentlewoman from New York and the comments of the gentleman from Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4975. Midlothian resident Dorothy Braden Bruce--or Dot, as she was widely known--embodied the true spirit of central Virginia and our Commonwealth. In World War II, Dorothy's work to break Japanese codes was one of the most pivotal Allied code-breaking efforts in the war. Having been recruited by the military to serve in a top-secret group of code-breaking women, she intercepted enemy movements, supply shipments, and potential threats to American servicemembers. For 70 years, Dorothy Bruce kept her story a secret. She had sworn an oath of secrecy. It wasn't until an author reached out to her a few years ago that she learned that she could finally talk about her by-then declassified work in the service of our country. It was at this time that even her grown children first learned of their mother's pivotal work. Dorothy Bruce didn't ask for credit, and she didn't seek the limelight. She knew that she had protected the lives of American servicemembers in the field of combat, and she knew their families were prospering and growing in the following decades, thanks to the diligence of her top-secret code-breaking unit. For her, that was an achievement worth celebrating, though quietly and secretly. Meanwhile, Dorothy Bruce became a dedicated member of our central Virginia community. She worked as an educator, and she raised a loving family. Last year, she passed away at the age of 99. This legislation honors Dorothy Braden Bruce's life serving our country and her service to others across Virginia. Her story continues to inspire, and that is why I am working to make sure our community will always remember Dorothy Bruce's story and the stories of her fellow women code breakers. My legislation would name the Sycamore Square post office in Midlothian, Virginia, near where she once lived at the Spring Arbor Assisted Living, after her. With this bipartisan bill passing today, we are one step closer to future generations of trailblazers walking through the doors of the Dorothy Braden Bruce Post Office Building. I would like to thank every member of the Virginia delegation of the House for signing onto this bill at introduction in order to recognize Dorothy Bruce's work. She was a trailblazer. Her ingenuity and her determination as a code breaker did not just blaze a path for a generation of future code breakers and women in public service, but it saved thousands of American lives. For women pursuing careers in science and math and intelligence, Dorothy is a reminder of the pioneering contributions of women in these fields throughout our Nation's history. Today, I would also like to thank Dot's loving family for their work to amplify her story and reaffirm the importance of the female code breakers of World War II. Their story is worth knowing and worth celebrating. This bill is just a small act to remember and recognize Dorothy Braden Bruce's remarkable life of courage, dedication, selflessness, and service to country.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my amendment to address current IRS backlogs. Over the past few months, I have heard from constituents across central Virginia who have not yet received their recovery rebate checks or their 2019 Federal tax refunds. Congress created the recovery rebate program to address the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, and as families struggle waiting for IRS checks to arrive, we know that the taxpayer correspondence which is necessary to process these checks and tax returns is currently sitting in trailers and office space leased specifically to store the backlog of mail. This backlog is unacceptable, and Congress must take action to make clear that this backlog must be addressed, and we must give IRS the tools they need to address it and make clear our expectations that they will.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise tonight to remember Congressman John Lewis. And for me, the best way to honor the memory of this beautiful man, this kind soul, our colleague, our friend, and for so many of us, our teacher, is to share his best lessons. And in his 2017 book, Congressman John Robert Lewis said the following: ``Freedom is not a state; it is an act. ``It is not some enchanted garden perched high on a distant plateau where we can finally sit down and rest. ``Freedom is a continuous action we must all take, and each generation must do its part to create an even more fair, more just society.'' These are words to drive our work and our lives. And he spoke them to the world. But to us, on June 4, on a call with so many of our colleagues, he told us: ``Be brave. Don't get weary. Let's continue to work.'' And I wrote those words down, because like everything John Lewis said, they struck me as powerful and important and worth remembering. And in his memory and in his honor, we should all do just that, continue to work.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of amendment 358, directing the Secretary of Defense along with the Secretary of Agriculture to review the potential to incorporate innovative wood products in constructing or renovating facilities owned or managed by the Department of Defense. Earlier this year, I chaired a hearing of the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry on the topic of innovative wood products and their potential contributions. As our witnesses noted, innovative wood products can offer a range of options for construction that address mission-readiness, sustainability, carbon sequestration, and provide high-paying jobs in rural communities across the community, including in central Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Mr. Austin Scott, for coauthoring this amendment, as well as the House Committee on Armed Services for their support.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of amendment No. 319 to H.R. 2. The Moving America Forward Act includes a historic investment in high-speed broadband internet infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Whip Clyburn for his leadership on the Rural Broadband Task Force. In central Virginia, like across so much of the country, we urgently need funding for broadband projects, particularly as COVID-19 lays bare the realities of the digital divide. In our district, for example, I have spoken with teachers who, when schools closed, were unable to maintain contact with so many of their students because they simply cannot access the internet. As we talk about making a significant investment in the future of high-speed internet, we need to take appropriate steps to ensure this new infrastructure meets the needs of the next generation of wireless technology. For many years, the FCC has set the threshold for determining the speed at which areas are found to have sufficient broadband service. However, experts have indicated that the current speed threshold is outdated. My amendment would require the GAO to examine the efficacy of the FCC's process for updating its broadband speed threshold.

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, with this information, we can make better decisions about how to best update these thresholds. If we are going to keep our rural businesses, our farms, and our students competitive into the next century, we need to recognize that the broadband infrastructure we build must meet the need for faster downloads and uploads.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, as the world faces the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. leadership in the global response is essential. Thank you to my colleague from California, Congressman Bera, and my colleague from Florida, Congressman Yoho, for leading a Congressional special order so that Members who represent communities across America can reiterate this point clearly. I serve on the Asia Subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which Representatives Bera and Yoho lead as Chairman and Ranking Member. Our Subcommittee held our first hearing on the coronavirus outbreak in China in early February and our second one later that month. What we heard during these hearings from public health experts and administration officials reaffirmed something we already knew: The United States needed to demonstrate leadership in the international response in order to keep Americans safe. Since these hearings, this horrible disease has ravaged families and communities in the United States and around the world, including in Central Virginia. The death toll, as well as the impact on our way of life, has been heartbreaking. Every day, I speak with Central Virginians who are experiencing this pain. As we do everything we can to halt the spread and impact of the virus in our local communities and across our nation, we must also recognize that U.S. leadership in the global fight against coronavirus is an essential part of ending the suffering at home. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that infectious diseases know no borders. An outbreak in a remote village can spread to major cities across all populated continents on earth in less than 36 hours. Even once we have more thorough testing and U.S. towns begin to see dropping numbers of cases, the disease could easily return. No matter how successful we are in fighting the threat of COVID-19 at home, we will not end the suffering and fear created by the virus unless we also combat it around the world. This is exactly why global health experts, as well as foreign policy and military leaders, are speaking out--calling on U.S. government officials to lead by example and demonstrate leadership on the global stage. If our nation cedes international leadership, we are demoting our international standing, creating a void that our adversaries will fill and exploit, and most critically, we are risking the safety and livelihoods of Americans. In addition, the pandemic is an incredibly painful reminder that, at the end of the day, U.S. national security comes down to resilience at home. As we face international threats, including infectious disease, we are only as strong and prepared as our most vulnerable neighbors and our most susceptible systems. The coronavirus pandemic highlights that national security is much more than what typically comes to mind--it includes our medical supply chains, the safety of American workers, and so much more. It includes emerging, transnational threats such as climate change and the COVID-19 virus--a disease that at any moment now is expected to cause a death toll surpassing the number of Americans who died in nearly a decade of fighting in Vietnam. Going forward, we must be prepared for the full range of risks to American security. And to do this, we must think of national security in a more comprehensive and integrated fashion, recognizing it is rooted in our strength at home and that the United States must lead on the global stage to provide the sense of security that so many Americans lack as they face disease and job loss. As we strengthen and implement our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare for future threats, we must recognize that U.S. global leadership is essential to protecting the health, security, and economic interests of all Americans. We cannot step back from this challenge; we must step up.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I will be voting for this bill for the children who are forgoing their school and for the millions of children for whom that means that they are losing the stability and the nutritional support that comes with it. I will be voting for this bill for my family members and my friends and constituents who have lost their jobs in the past 2 weeks because of this pandemic. I will be voting for this bill so that we may deliver support to the small business owners and restaurateurs throughout central Virginia who have closed their doors in order to stop this pandemic and keep their neighbors safe. I will be voting for this bill for the healthcare workers in my district who are risking their lives to make our communities safer. I am grateful to the sanitation workers, the mail carriers, the UPS workers, the FedEx workers, the grocery store workers, and those who work in our nursing homes and facilities across our districts and across our country. I thank them for adding a bit of stability to our country during this extremely difficult time.

Ms. SPANBERGER

Ms. SPANBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the commitment, selflessness, and advocacy of Peyton ``Pete'' Taylor, the owner of a community pharmacy in our district and our Central Virginian of the Week. Mr. Taylor graduated from pharmacy school in 1979. After graduating, he began operating Goochland Pharmacy to serve our community and provide patients with healthcare services tailored to their needs. Despite the evolving pharmaceutical landscape over the past decades, Mr. Taylor remains committed to providing personalized service to those in his community. His deep concern for the rising costs of prescription drugs has made him a vocal advocate for the needs of his customers in the Goochland community. Mr. Taylor's knowledge of the challenges facing small business pharmacies has been a vital resource to my team and me, and I am grateful for his thoughtful engagement. Mr. Taylor truly has the best interests of his community at heart, and I thank him for his 40 years of dedicated service to Goochland and the greater Seventh District.