Lori Trahan

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer amendment 2 on behalf of my colleague, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, who welcomed her second son, Sam, last week. Unfortunately, outdated House rules prevent Congresswoman Pettersen from voting remotely while she recovers and cares for her newborn. I am proud to stand here today to advance the critical amendment that she authored, one that ensures the legislation before us does what it is intended to do: Save lives. This amendment adds a straightforward but essential guardrail. Before this bill can take effect, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General must certify that it will actually reduce overdose deaths. Mr. Speaker, we are at a pivotal point in the fight against the opioid crisis. For the first time since 2018, overdose deaths have declined over a 12-month period. That is not by chance. It is because of evidence-based strategies, including many championed by the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. The investments we have made to disrupt the illicit drug trade, expand access to treatment and recovery support, and make naloxone widely available, they are working. We should be building on this progress, not undermining it. That is what this amendment ensures. While we have made real strides in this fight, the reality is still devastating: More than 80,000 Americans lost their lives to overdoses in 2024. This crisis remains a national emergency, one that demands a public health response, not a return to failed policies that devastated communities for generations. Everyone in this Chamber agrees that we must keep fentanyl and other illicit substances out of our neighborhoods, and we have to do it in a way that actually reduces overdose deaths. That is why I urge my colleagues to support this amendment because it guarantees that this bill will save lives. We cannot afford to go backward. Let's keep moving forward. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, it is a very spirited debate on the other side, but this is on the amendment. This amendment would just make sure that the underlying bill actually does what it is intended to do, which is save lives simply by ensuring that the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General certify that this bill will reduce overdose deaths. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, in order to make this legislation effective, vote ``yes'' on this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, as the designee of Congresswoman Pettersen, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, we are more than 3 weeks into January, yet Republican leadership in this Chamber has failed to call a vote on a single piece of legislation to address the pressing needs of hardworking families. There has been nothing to ease the burden of grocery prices, nothing to lower the cost of prescription drugs, and nothing to make it easier for an American to buy a home. Instead, what is the priority for the Republicans this week? A vote on H.R. 21, the so-called Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, a bill that will give politicians here in Washington the power to monitor women's pregnancies and criminalize doctors and nurses who provide lifesaving care to women in need. I wish I was kidding. Over the next couple of days, we are going to hear Republicans get up here and use scare tactic after scare tactic in attempting to justify this vote, so let's set the record straight about what this legislation does. At first glance, its stated goal might sound reasonable: ``to prohibit a health care practitioner from failing to exercise the proper degree of care in the case of a child who survives an abortion or attempted abortion.'' That sounds logical on paper, but here is the reality: This situation almost never happens. When Texas passed a law requiring reporting on abortions resulting in live births, they reported zero live births over 3 years--zero. The same was true in Oklahoma. What is this bill actually targeting? As we dig into H.R. 21, it becomes clear that this legislation purposely distorts what abortion care really is. It sweeps up highly complex and deeply personal medical situations, including those where a mother learns that her life is in danger because her baby has a fatal abnormality and cannot survive outside the womb. Imagine the agony of that mother, a woman who dreamed of holding her child, now forced to make the unthinkable decision to induce labor to save her own life. As her baby is born in agonizing pain with just minutes or hours to live, because no amount of medical intervention can save them, this bill seeks to make that horrifying situation even worse by overruling any decision by the mother and her doctor to provide compassionate, appropriate medical care. Instead, it threatens doctors and nurses with jail time, even if the only alternative is prolonging the pain, suffering, and, tragically, the inevitable death of the baby. Tell me, Mr. Speaker, how does that make sense? Why do Republican Members of Congress insist they know what is better for a mother and her baby than she and her doctor do? This bill is not about protecting life. It is about pushing out blatant lies about women's healthcare, and it is about control. It is about extreme Republican politicians inserting themselves into the most personal, private, and heartbreaking decisions a family has to make. The cost is that women's lives are put at risk because some here would rather legislate ideology than acknowledge the complexity of real-life medical decisions. To my colleagues across the aisle, instead of advancing a dangerous, divisive bill that exploits women's health for political gain, let's focus on what Americans are actually asking us to do. Let's work to lower costs. Let's expand access to healthcare. Let's give families the tools they need to thrive. The American people sent us here to do that work together. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the GOP's reproductive healthcare surveillance act.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, House Republicans have a big vote planned for today. Now, I wish I was talking about a bill that will lower costs for hardworking families or help more Americans buy a home, the issues that so many people told us mattered most to them in the 2024 election. However, instead, in just their second week of power, House Republicans have chosen to vote on a Federal takeover of sports at all levels. To justify this power grab, my colleagues across the aisle are preying on the legitimate concerns that some people have about transgender athletes in women's sports. For the vast majority of those folks, many of them parents, their concerns don't come from a place of hate. They come from a place of worry about the safety of their daughters and the fairness of their sport. Now, as the only woman in Congress who played Division I sports in college, I know how critical it is that we ensure that sports are safe and fair above all else. That is all any athlete wants, to know that if they put in the hard work and the training necessary, they are going to have a fair shot on game day. As the mom of two young daughters, who I cheer on from the bleachers every weekend, I know that parents want their kids to be able to enjoy the game they love. After all, we know how important sports can be to children's development. They give the chance to build confidence, learn teamwork, and develop lifelong friendships. That is why, like parents and athletes across our country, I have long placed my trust in the governing bodies of sports, the experts who have dedicated their lives to these games, to create fair and responsible rules for participation. Despite what the authors of this legislation have said, many of those organizations have already updated their rules to ensure fairness and safety in their sports. That includes the international authorities overseeing track and field, boxing, cycling, swimming, and rugby, just to name a few. These organizations, many led by former athletes, worked with scientists, athletic federations, and human rights organizations to craft thoughtful, evidence-based rules, including those governing participation in the Paris Olympics last summer. Don't get me wrong, Madam Speaker. I recognize that there is more work to be done, but why in the world would we let insincere, attention-seeking politicians here in Washington, many of whom know little to nothing about competitive sports, take over? It doesn't make any sense. However, that is exactly what my Republican colleagues are going to do today, inject themselves into decisions they have no business making. In fact, if you listen to them, they would have you think that a transgender woman in college, who may have transitioned after puberty and may present physical advantages over her opponent, is the same as a 10-year-old girl who just wants to play soccer on the weekends with her friends. However, those two situations aren't the same at all, and the consequences of that approach will be devastating: girls as young as 4 years old being subjected to invasive lines of questioning about their bodies and even physical inspections by an adult, a stranger, a predator all because some creep accuses them of not being a girl. What parent would want to put their daughter through that? I know I wouldn't. Madam Speaker, we won't be able to find common ground on this issue today, but this debate has made one thing abundantly clear: Members of Congress are the last people who should decide who gets to play sports in America. That responsibility belongs where it always has, to the organizations whose mission it is to protect the fairness, the safety, and the integrity of their sports. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on the GOP's child predator empowerment act.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to sound the alarm about the dangerous and extreme policies put forward in Project 2025, the self- described blueprint for the Republican President to take over total control of the Federal Government and our lives. Spanning more than 900 pages, Project 2025 lays out not a concept of a plan but a plan for Donald Trump or another GOP President to ignore the Constitution and unilaterally turn back the clock on working families, women, and our children. For families, Project 2025 calls to eliminate overtime pay and kick people with preexisting conditions off of their healthcare insurance. For women and girls, Project 2025 calls for taking the Republican abortion bans that are devastating women in Georgia and Texas and jeopardizing IVF in Alabama and doing the same nationally. For our children, Project 2025 calls for eliminating the Department of Education and defunding our public schools. Each and every one of these proposals would have been devastating for millions of Americans. I know that, Mr. Speaker, because every one of them would have ruined my life. My dad was a union ironworker. He picked up overtime whenever possible so that he could keep a roof over our heads and put food on the table. Like so many families, Project 2025 taking away the chance to work overtime could have meant us losing our home or going to bed hungry. When my dad was diagnosed with MS at just 48 years old, he needed his health insurance to visit the doctor and afford his medications. Project 2025 allowing an insurance corporation to kick him off his healthcare coverage just because he was sick would have been a death sentence, just as it could be for millions of Americans with preexisting conditions. When my husband and I decided to start our family but struggled to get pregnant, we were forced to turn to IVF, and we are so fortunate to have our two beautiful daughters, but as we saw in Alabama, Project 2025's proposals that endanger IVF fertility treatments can be physically and mentally debilitating for couples turning to fertility treatments as their last hope. Finally, I am the proud product of Lowell Public Schools, from elementary to high school. Like any public school student, I can tell you so many stories of teachers who made the most of the little resources they had to give us every opportunity to succeed. Ripping that lifeline away from working families, as Project 2025 proposes, is a horrible idea, plain and simple. Project 2025 will take us backward to a time when life was great if you were wealthy or well connected, but that same time was hard. It was hard for workers and parents like mine who wanted nothing more than to give their kids a better life than they had. That is why I am here to say that we can't and we won't go back. House Democrats will move our country forward with a vision where people are proud to be an American again. They are proud because working families aren't just getting by and making ends meet, but they are getting ahead. They are proud because women have the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions without the fear of politicians getting in the way. Lastly, they are proud because our children can go to class and thrive while us moms and dads don't have to worry about their school being defunded or, worse, the next target of a deranged mass shooter. Mr. Speaker, that should be something all of us can get behind, and it is why I will urge my Republican colleagues to reject Project 2025 and work with us to build a future where people have every chance to get ahead.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone) for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I express my sincere gratitude to Ranking Member Pallone, Chair Rodgers, Ranking Member Eshoo, Chairman Guthrie, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, and my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee for their unanimous support of this important bipartisan, bicameral legislation. When medical professionals determine that clinical care is necessary to treat a child battling a rare disease, there should be no reason that administrative burdens get in the way. However, that is exactly what happens far too often to children with complex medical needs. In fact, when children with serious health conditions lack access to the specialized care that they need in their home State, parents can be forced to navigate the complicated process of working with healthcare providers and State Medicaid officials to arrange for out-of-State care. Unfortunately, those same parents are often met with burdensome requirements that can lead to significant delays for children in desperate need of care. In some cases, it can prevent access to care entirely. Mr. Speaker, the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act is urgently needed to eliminate this red tape and ensure that children receive appropriate, often lifesaving care that they deserve. Mr. Speaker, to highlight the importance of getting this bipartisan legislation over the finish line, I highlight a story from a patient who was negatively impacted by the onerous and time-consuming Medicaid provider screening and enrollment process. Almost 3 years ago, a baby, who I will name Lily, was born in a rural State with her esophagus in two separate segments and connected abnormally to her windpipe. Since this condition requires a particularly complicated procedure to correct it, doctors explained to the family that there are only two places in the country where it could be done. One of them was Boston Children's Hospital, in my home State of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, like most parents, Lily's mom and dad were immediately ready to travel to Boston, where the surgeons were standing by to perform the lifesaving operation. Instead, Lily, who was a Medicaid recipient, was waiting for her home State to enroll the eight providers at Boston Children's Hospital who had the expertise to perform this complex surgery. Her State, confused about the rules concerning out-of-State provider enrollment, wouldn't authorize the surgery that Lily desperately needed. Over the next 7 months, Lily's surgery was delayed and rescheduled over 3 times. As she waited, she lived with a floppy airway that could have collapsed at any moment. Mr. Speaker, clearly the stakes are far too high to allow bureaucratic hurdles to stand in the way of urgent medical care for children like Lily. Failing to address this issue will have severe and far-reaching consequences, not only on children who are battling complications that could be addressed with immediate care, but also their families, who are forced to endure significant financial and emotional strain when the care is delayed. What is worse is that these delays also lead to a greater reliance on emergency services and drive up overall healthcare costs. Passage of the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act is instrumental in fixing this issue. This bipartisan legislation will get us one step closer to ensuring that no child on Medicaid has to endure unnecessary delays when they need critical care outside of their home State. That is why I am so grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both Chambers who were instrumental in drafting the advancement of this legislation, including Congresswoman Miller-Meeks and Senators Grassley and Bennet. Mr. Speaker, that is why I urge Members on both sides of the aisle to join us in passing this strong, bipartisan, and potentially lifesaving legislation.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Senior Chief Petty Officer Eric Donahue for his tremendous contributions and 20-year legacy in the United States Navy, including his service in the Joint Special Operations Command. Senior Chief Donahue has dedicated his life to our country for the past two decades, all while building a family with his wife, Katie, and raising their three children: Meredith, Ivy, and Tyler. Eric Donahue was born and raised in Andover, Massachusetts, and is a proud graduate of Austin Preparatory School in Reading, Massachusetts. A dedicated student, he furthered his education at the University of New Hampshire, obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Management, and Operations. It was at the University of New Hampshire that Eric met Katie, who has been a pillar of strength for him throughout his Navy career. Moved by the September 11th terrorist attacks, Eric embarked on a mission to become a Navy SEAL to protect the United States, its freedoms, and its ideals. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 2004, he had the opportunity to join the Navy as an officer. Instead of waiting to become an officer, he immediately enlisted to begin training without officer status. In March 2005, Eric commenced Underwater Demolition/SEAL training and successfully completed the program by August 2006, displaying exceptional dedication. He was subsequently assigned to SEAL Team 8 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Throughout eight overseas deployments, including to Afghanistan and Iraq, his dedication, leadership, and outstanding service led to his appointment to the prestigious SEAL Team Six, the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. Within SEAL Team Six, Senior Chief Donahue has continued to lead in various capacities, overseeing numerous training events worldwide and being entrusted with dignitary protection. Senior Chief Donahue has received numerous accolades and awards throughout his career in recognition of his service. These include five Sea Service Deployment ribbons, three Presidential Unit Citations, two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, one Navy Unit Commendation Medal, a NATO Medal, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, three Joint Service Commendation Medals, a Joint Meritorious Unit Award, an Iraq Campaign Medal, six Good Conduct Medals, an Expeditionary Medal, three Combat Action Ribbons, a Bronze Star with Valor, an Army Commendation Medal, and an Afghan Campaign Medal. Senior Chief Eric Donahue has demonstrated remarkable bravery, selflessness, and dedication as a Navy SEAL. He exemplifies the values of courage, resilience, and sacrifice that we hold dear as Americans. His leadership will leave a lasting impact on the United States Navy and our Nation. I would like to formally recognize and extend my deepest gratitude to Senior Chief Donahue and his family for their twenty years of service to our country.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tremendous contributions and legacy of Luis Pedroso, a successful businessman, community leader and philanthropist who has dedicated his life to the prosperity of the Greater Lowell region. He recently retired and will be celebrating his 65th birthday this year. Luis was born in Sao Jorge, Azores, Portugal in 1959. His family briefly lived in Angola, Africa before returning to the Azores and immigrating to California in 1969. After the passing of his father, his family returned to Portugal before emigrating back to the U.S. and settling in Lowell. After graduating from Lowell High School in 1980, Luis would embark on a professional career where he would go on to found Qualitronics, Inc., co-found Accutronics, Inc., high-end electronics manufacturing companies, that have employed many people in our region. Before retiring, Luis sold both of his companies--a testament to his tremendous career in business. In addition to his impressive professional career, Luis never forgot where he came from. He is extremely involved in the Portuguese community, so much so that he established the Helio and Amelia Pedroso/ Fundacao Luso-Americana Endowed Chair in Portuguese Studies at UMASS Dartmouth as well as the Saab-Pedroso Center for Portuguese Studies at UMASS Lowell. He also played an instrumental role in spearheading the effort to bring 24-hour Portuguese programming to local television to serve Lowell and other communities. He is a founding member of the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF), where he recruited many individuals, including myself, to serve on its board and support nonprofits in Lowell and beyond. For 27 years, the GLCF has transformed the lives of countless individuals, families and nonprofit organizations in our community by fostering community growth and development through funding, leadership, and collaboration. Luis is also the creator of the Portuguese American Scholarship through the Greater Lowell Foundation which assists graduates of Lowell High School. Through Luis's leadership and efforts, he has made the City of Lowell a better place to live, work and raise a family. Luis's kindness and wisdom make him a trusted figure for individuals to lean on when experiencing hardship. Most notably, Luis played an integral role in assisting a young woman who was studying at Middlesex Community College to receive her nursing degree. After a car accident left her vehicle totaled, she reached out to Luis, who without hesitation was able to assist her in finding a new vehicle so she could continue her studies and fulfill her practicum. Throughout his life, Luis has been the recipient of numerous recognitions from distinguished organizations for his work in our community. He has been recognized as the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers Person of the Year, as well as being named a recipient of the prestigious George L. Duncan Award of Excellence. He was selected to receive the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator Award and the International Institute American Dream Award and was inducted into the Lowell High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. In the face of so many well-deserved accolades, Luis has remained humble, accessible, and down to earth--a surprise to no one who has had the pleasure of knowing him. Luis is known for his love for his family and friends, his kindness to those around him, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his immense pride in the City of Lowell's Portuguese Community. Luis's legacy will continue to leave a lasting and positive impact for many generations to come.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tremendous contributions and legacy of Sergeant Ian Taylor, a respected law enforcement officer and community leader who dedicated his life to public service. He tragically passed away in the line of duty on April 26, 2024. Ian was born in Methuen, MA, in 1974 to Wayne Taylor and Sandy Crane. His parents raised him and his three brothers, Danny, Zack, and Cameron to always be kind and respectful, and instilled in them a sense of community. In 1997, Ian married the love of his life, Mindy. Together, they raised their two children, Nathan and Kylee, who they taught the values of family and community that Ian treasured so dearly. Ian's dedication to law enforcement began by watching his father who proudly worked as a police officer for the City of Lawrence. Ian would eagerly follow in his father's footsteps by joining the Lawrence Police Department in 2003. He continued his career briefly with the Wilmington Police Department and ultimately landed at the Billerica Police Department, where Sergeant Taylor served for 12 years until his passing. As a Detective for the Billerica Police Department, much of his time was spent assigned to a federal drug taskforce. Ian's dedication to assisting those struggling with substance abuse was evident through his tireless efforts with the Billerica Substance Awareness Prevention Committee, where he served as a leading member. Throughout his life, Ian was the recipient of numerous recognitions for his heroics in our community. Most notably he received a Medal of Commendation from the Watertown Fire Department for his bravery and lifesaving efforts at the scene of an accident in 2018. Beyond his professional achievements, Ian was known to all for his kind disposition, ever-present grin, and the love he shared for his family and his community. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need or use his sharp wit and sense of humor to raise the spirits of those around him. One of his greatest achievements was the ability to always put a smile on his wife and children's faces. He was involved in every aspect of their lives, always present at extracurriculars to cheer on Nathan and Kylee, and eager to enjoy life's simple moments together. He was happiest with them by his side and took on the job of their role model and protector with the utmost pride. Ian was known for his love of his family and friends, the kindness he showed to those around him, and his profound commitment to creating and inspiring positive change. His legacy is one that will be unforgettable and everlasting in our Commonwealth. My heart goes out to Mindy, Kylee, Nathan, and the entire Taylor family during this difficult time. Ian's legacy will live on through his loving family and all who had the honor of knowing him.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, this reauthorization of NTIA is bipartisan legislation that ensures that NTIA will have the authority it needs to continue both connecting Americans to high-speed, reliable, and affordable broadband and overseeing innovative technological developments. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4510, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4510, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, has done tremendous work to help connect all Americans to high- speed, reliable, and affordable broadband. The historic $65 billion in broadband investments we included in the bipartisan infrastructure law last Congress are supercharging those efforts. I have confidence that NTIA is doing all that it can with this funding to connect as many Americans as possible to fast, reliable, and affordable internet. Congress has also tasked NTIA with other meaningful responsibilities. The agency manages Federal spectrum and its users and coordinates with the Federal Communications Commission to ensure that our airwaves are effectively managed in a safe and secure manner. It is also charged with advising the President on advanced technologies. A lot has changed since the NTIA was last reauthorized in 1992. We should ensure that it continues to have the authorities it needs to implement many of the Nation's broadband efforts and technological advancements in such areas as spectrum management and artificial intelligence. H.R. 4510 helps achieve this goal. This bipartisan bill reauthorizes NTIA and elevates its leadership by making its Administrator an Under Secretary within the Department of Commerce. Taking these important steps will better reflect NTIA's importance as the President's primary adviser on telecommunications and technology policy. This legislation also includes the text of several bipartisan bills the Energy and Commerce Committee has worked on this Congress and last Congress. It includes the PLAN for Broadband Act, co-led by Representatives Kuster and Walberg, which directs the NTIA to develop a national strategy to close the digital divide. As part of this strategy, the agency must develop a plan to monitor the consistency, affordability, and quality of broadband services supported by Federal broadband programs. It also includes Representative Allred's Open RAN Outreach Act and two bills co-led by Representative Eshoo to address cybersecurity issues. This bill also includes important provisions to codify NTIA's current work and responsibilities. It would firmly establish NTIA's role in public safety communications. From managing Next Generation 911 grants to overseeing FirstNet to its important first responder work at the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, NTIA plays an important role in ensuring that the public and law enforcement agencies have a modern and reliable communications network. I am pleased that this bill cements NTIA's public safety possibilities. I also want to note that this bill incorporates feedback to address questions and concerns that we heard from other committees, including the Armed Services Committee, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, and the Intelligence Committee. The staffs have had productive discussions about these important issues. Among other things, we have improved NTIA's ability to file classified information with the FCC on behalf of other agencies. We have also agreed to work further with our colleagues to better develop methods for advancing NTIA's spectrum management capabilities. I am pleased that we could find a path forward to vote on this bill today, and I thank the chairs, ranking members, and staff of these three committees for their cooperation. I also thank Chair Rodgers, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Matsui, and Chairman Latta for their bipartisan work on this bill. With this legislation, we ensure that NTIA has the authorities it needs to continue both connecting all Americans to high-speed, reliable, and affordable broadband and overseeing innovative technological developments. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4510, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I am grateful to Ranking Member Pallone, Chair Rodgers, Ranking Member Schakowsky, Chairman Bilirakis, and members of the Energy and Commerce Committee for their unanimous support for this bipartisan, bicameral legislation. Mr. Speaker, the Youth Poisoning Protection Act is urgently needed to limit consumer access to high concentrations of a dangerous toxic chemical that is being promoted online as a method to die by suicide. Two years ago, an investigation by The New York Times exposed online suicide assistance forums, websites that operate in the shadows of the internet. These platforms are home to many users who present themselves as a community dedicated to helping others experiencing suicidal ideation, but who instead encourage those in dire need of help to end their lives and even help facilitate their attempt to do so. Their activities have contributed to a rise in suicides using the chemical sodium nitrite, which in low concentrations is safe and often used to cure meat and fish. However, in high concentrations, sodium nitrite is toxic at levels comparable to cyanide. If that is not bad enough, it gets worse. While those same anonymous users promote the poison as a painless way to die by suicide, survivors tell a very different story, detailing experiences of nausea, vomiting, intense stomach pain, and heart palpitations as the substance chokes off oxygen to critical organs. When notified by my office of the product's popularization as a suicide method, many websites that sold the product, including Amazon, eventually took down their listings or limited sales to businesses with a proven use for it. There are bad actors out there looking to capitalize on people experiencing suicidal ideation by creating websites for the sole purpose of selling the chemical as suicide kits. Right now there is no law on the books to stop them from doing so. Mr. Speaker, the Youth Poisoning Protection Act changes that by prohibiting the consumer sale of sodium nitrite products with a concentration higher than 10 percent--the usefulness threshold agreed upon by independent experts. I will note for my colleagues that this bill solely limits the sale of this product to consumers. There are some businesses that cure meat and fish in bulk and need to purchase sodium nitrite in high concentrations as part of that process. This bill will not affect them. It solely seeks to end the straight-to-consumer sale of highly concentrated sodium nitrite that is helping fuel the efforts of anonymous suicide forum users pushing vulnerable people to end their lives. This bill is simple, it is straightforward, and it has the potential to save lives. That is why I am so grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both Chambers who were instrumental in the drafting and advancement of this legislation, including Representative Mike Carey who has been a tireless advocate for his constituents who have fallen victim to this poison, as well as Representatives Katie Porter and Celeste Maloy and Senators Tammy Duckworth and J.D. Vance. I urge Members on both sides of the aisle to join us in supporting this strong bipartisan legislation.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, on March 19, 2024, I missed a Roll Call vote. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 88.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his leadership on this important issue as ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan legislation, in particular, the important changes it makes to how we regulate commercial fusion energy. Last spring, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission took an important vote to regulate commercial fusion energy under its existing regulatory framework--specifically, the byproduct materials framework. This was a critical step toward unlocking commercialized fusion energy, and it was made possible by a recognition that fusion does not need to be regulated the same way as fission. Since then, the Congressional Fusion Energy Caucus, which I have the honor of co-chairing alongside Representatives Don Beyer, Jay Obernolte, and Chuck Fleischmann, put pen to paper on the Fusion Energy Act, which will codify the Commission's decision and provide the fusion industry the regulatory certainty that it needs to continue pursuing their innovative research and development. During consideration of this package in December, we offered the Fusion Energy Act as an amendment, which was adopted unanimously and is included in this legislation today. I cannot overstate the importance of passing this package because fusion is the game changer. A future with fusion means thousands of good-paying, family-sustaining, clean energy jobs that we will create along the way. Fusion unlocks a future where energy production is no longer tied to access to a resource. It means an endless supply of baseload clean energy, without any emissions. It means dictators like Vladimir Putin won't be able to manipulate energy markets to suit their needs. Madam Speaker, but make no mistake, both our allies and our adversaries are racing to unlock fusion energy. The U.K. is investing 660 million pounds; Germany recently announced a 1-billion-euro investment; and China has already invested 1.8 billion in their state- owned facilities, with plans to massively ramp up over the next decade. In China, there is no private industry investment in fusion. It is all government-controlled, and that is a huge competitive advantage that we have on them. What the United States does best is innovate through public-private partnerships that leverage Federal research dollars with the work happening at cutting-edge startups and businesses across our country. One of those companies, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, is located in the district I represent. Since its founding roughly 5 years ago, CFS has raised more than $2 billion in private investment, employs over 600 people, and is well on its way to building SPARC, a fusion machine that will achieve net energy and demonstrates that producing commercial fusion energy in just a few years is possible. Madam Speaker, if we are going to beat China to fusion, then it is absolutely critical that we provide companies like CFS with the regulatory certainty that they need. Passing this bipartisan package does just that. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important, commonsense legislation that will advance commercial fusion energy.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, the overwhelming majority of Americans-- Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike--are clear in their support for Social Security. In fact, nearly 9 in every 10 Americans oppose cutting Social Security. That is because for the last 88 years, Social Security has helped millions of Americans retire from a lifetime of work with the dignity that they deserve. Despite the undeniable success and popularity of the program, House Republicans have remained relentless in their fight to dismantle and defund it. What is worse, Mr. Speaker, is Republicans turning their backs on a fundamental promise to the American people--a sacred trust--where contributing to Social Security means the same safety net that supported our grandparents will be there to support us in retirement. House Democrats still believe in that sacred trust. We want to uphold our end of the promise. That is why I am proud to support and join Congressman Larson and members of the House Democratic Caucus in supporting Social Security 2100 to increase seniors' benefits, protect against inflation, and strengthen the program for generations to come. I thank the gentleman from Connecticut for his relentless, tireless leadership on this vital issue.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, this entire charade is ridiculous. Speaker Johnson is about to send Members of Congress home for the rest of the year. Instead of lowering costs for families before the holidays or protecting women's freedom to make their own health decisions, House Republicans are taking orders from Donald Trump to force through a partisan, political impeachment with no evidence, no witnesses, and no wrongdoing on behalf of the President. Meanwhile, as we speak, Kate Cox, a pregnant woman from Texas, is being forced to flee her home as Republican leaders try to force her to carry to term her baby, who was diagnosed with a terrible condition that would result in miscarriage, stillbirth, or death soon after birth. We could have come to the floor today to pass legislation like the Women's Health Protection Act to protect women like Kate Cox and to prevent that kind of physical harm and trauma from being inflicted on women living under Republican abortion bans, but House Republicans choose impeachment. The American people won't forget.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today in recognition of the 32nd Anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreement that ended the Cambodian-Vietnamese War. As the Chair of the Congressional Cambodia Caucus and the Representative of a district with one of the highest populations of Cambodian-Americans, I rise to honor the anniversary of the peace agreement and call on the United States to do everything possible to help Cambodia realize its full democratic potential. This historic agreement ended a horrible war that stretched over three decades and caused the deaths of countless soldiers and civilians. One of the promises outlined in the accord was for free and fair elections. Unfortunately, that aspiration was never realized, and the current state of Cambodia's government personifies the challenges that remain to achieving a truly democratic nation. For thirty-eight years, Cambodia was ruled with an iron grip by Prime Minister Hun Sen. The democratic promise of free and fair elections was shattered by his weaponization of government power. Over the years, Hun Sen took steps to eliminate his opposition, ban independent media outlets, and jail peaceful protesters. In depriving the Cambodian people of their human rights, Hun Sen moved Cambodia closer to an authoritarian state and robbed them of the representative government promised in their Constitution and the Paris Peace Agreement. Earlier this year, Cambodia held a sham election that made a mockery of the democratic process. The prearranged result saw a landslide victory for Hun Sen who in turn announced an immediate transfer of power to his son, Hun Manet. Let me be clear, these most recent elections violated the Cambodian Constitution, a document that Hun Sen helped draft and signed three decades ago, and his unprecedented decision to unilaterally transfer power to his son indicates Cambodia will be subject to authoritarian rule for another generation. As we recognize the 32nd anniversary of the Paris Peace Agreement, the Congressional Cambodia Caucus stands firmly against the rising tide of authoritarianism in Cambodia. We will not stand idly by while Hun Manet picks up where his father left off. Instead, we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to push for a free, democratic Cambodia. I am a proud co-lead of the Cambodian Democracy and Human Rights Act (H.R. 4659), legislation that promotes free and fair elections, democracy, political freedoms, and human rights in Cambodia by applying sanctions on Cambodian officials who denigrate those rights. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Cambodian Caucus to pass this bill and with the Biden Administration to ensure that these sanctions are imposed effectively. Passing the Cambodian Democracy and Human Rights Act will help ensure that the principles of the Paris Peace Agreement are upheld and that Cambodians can move closer to achieving the self-determination and dignity they deserve.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to honor the tremendous contributions, service, and legacy of Sergeant Michael ``Mickey'' O'Keefe, a retired Lowell Police Sergeant, United States Army Veteran, boxer, and Lowell legend who left an immeasurable impact on those who knew and loved him. He passed away peacefully on September 14, 2023. Mickey was born in the City of Lowell in 1948. He attended Lowell High School where he met the love of his life, Donna, and the pair were married for 54 years. Together, they proudly raised their four sons, Shaun, Timothy, Brian, and Keith. After high school graduation, Mickey proudly served his country in the United States Army, embarked on a successful boxing career, and joined the Lowell Fire Department for a short period of time before landing at the Lowell Police Department where his decorated career spanned three decades. During his thirty-four years at the Department, Mickey climbed the ranks and ultimately earned the title of Sergeant. His fellow police officers respected him because of his integrity, leadership, and steadfast dedication to his team and the community they protected. Over the span of his career, Mickey was honored with several medals that reflected his heroic actions while wearing the badge. But staying true to his character, he would always humbly give credit to the people who worked alongside him rather than take it for himself. Throughout his life, Mickey had a passion for fitness, specifically boxing. During his boxing career, he won countless matches, notably, a Silver Mittens and a Golden Gloves championship. But Mickey's real passion would lie in mentoring young people in Lowell. He knew the impact boxing had on him when he was young and dedicated himself to training young boxers, most notably ``Irish'' Mickey Ward. The devotion he showed to the sport and to the young people he trained was recognized by the Golden Gloves of America, which awarded him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Mickey was a fixture in the boxing community. ``Irish'' Mickey Ward credited him as the person who reignited his love for boxing and wouldn't allow him to quit. Mickey helped him train and win the World Boxing Union's Intercontinental light welterweight title in 1996. Because of Ward's remarkable career, Mark Walberg approached Mickey to play himself in the 2010 movie, ``The Fighter'', and from then on amongst his family he was dubbed ``Hollywood Gramps''. Throughout it all, Mickey remained the same down-to-earth person he had always been. Mickey's love for the City of Lowell was unmatched. He and Donna were always looking for ways to contribute to their community. They welcomed anyone who was in need to their house with open arms and in turn touched countless lives throughout the years. They passed these traits of kindness, respect, and sense of community to their children and grandchildren. The Lowell community was fortunate enough to have had Mickey in their corner for so many years and he will be deeply missed. Mickey O'Keefe will be remembered for his love for his family and friends, his kindness to those around him, his distinguished professional career, and his immense impact on the City of Lowell. My heart goes out to his loving wife, Donna, his four sons, Shaun, Timothy, Brian, and Keith, and the entire O'Keefe family during this difficult time. Mickey's legacy will live on through his loving family and all who had the honor of knowing him.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the tremendous contributions and legacy of John ``Jack'' Harrington Costello, Jr., a successful publisher and editor of the Lowell Sun and a beloved community leader who dedicated his life to the prosperity of my hometown, the city of Lowell and its community. He passed away peacefully on August 28, 2023. Jack was born in Lowell in 1944. After graduating from Keith Academy in 1963, Jack would go on to study business at Boston College. He then attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island where he would later graduate and proudly serve his country as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1967 to 1970. After the Navy, Jack returned to his hometown of Lowell where he embarked on a 3 decades-long professional career at his cherished family-founded local paper, The Lowell Sun. Jack got his start as a sports writer before quickly moving up through the ranks to sports editor, to editor, and ultimately taking his destined position as the Sun's publisher. He was known for his integrity, persistence, decisiveness, and ability to extract the best out of his employees and those around him. The Sun thrived under Jack's leadership due to his mission of keeping the paper hyperlocal, so residents were always informed of what was happening in their community. Over the span of his career, Jack carefully curated a local paper that was dedicated to delivering accurate and relevant news to the Greater Lowell area. When he wasn't working tirelessly to ensure the Sun ran smoothly, Jack was involved in the revitalization of his hometown. His expertise and vision for the future of the City made him a trusted confidant to many business and political leaders over the years. He served as Chairman of the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, which welcomed many talented artists to perform at the venue under his stewardship. Jack also served as Chairman of the Tsongas Arena Commission and was instrumental in the arena's creation. In addition to these accomplishments, he is also responsible for helping to bring professional hockey and baseball teams to Lowell for the community to enjoy. Jack's contributions to Lowell have made a lasting impact on the city and will continue to be felt for generations to come. Jack will be remembered for his love for his family and friends, his kindness to those around him, his distinguished professional career, and his immense pride in the City of Lowell. My heart goes out to Brenda, his loving wife of 54 years, his children, John III, Peter, Nicole, and Suzanne, and the entire Costello family during this difficult time. Jack's legacy will live on through his loving family and all of us who had the honor of knowing him.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, we have 10 days until House Republicans force a catastrophic government shutdown; 10 days until the food assistance that nearly 50 million Americans rely on, including 6 million women and children, is put in jeopardy; 10 days until seniors struggling with the Social Security or Medicare issue can't get someone on the phone to get their benefit or to keep their coverage; 10 days until the loans small businesses depend on to pay their workers and keep their doors open are delayed for who knows how long. Mr. Speaker, we have seen this train wreck before. Republicans shut down the government for over a month in 2018 while they demanded billions in taxpayer funds for Donald Trump's border wall, the same one that Mexico was supposed to pay for. That shutdown lasted 35 days, hurting families and reducing our economic output by $11 billion, much of which was never recovered. It only ended after planes were grounded at major airports due to the strain on air traffic controllers, who were working around the clock with no pay to avert a major disaster. Here we are again. It is Republican shutdown deja vu. Extreme MAGA Republicans are once again holding the American people hostage in exchange for dangerous policies and a politically motivated impeachment. You don't have to take my word for it. Just listen to the demands from my colleagues across the aisle. One of our colleagues, a Congresswoman from Georgia, tweeted that she would not vote to fund the government if Congress doesn't pursue an impeachment inquiry against President Biden. Others are trying to roll back abortion protections for women serving in our military regardless of where they are stationed. To pretty much no one's surprise, Speaker McCarthy has folded like a cheap suit on every single one of their demands. That still hasn't been enough to get Republicans on board with this new plan, a breakthrough that would slash funding for the home heating assistance that thousands of families in my home State of Massachusetts depend on each winter; eliminate access to Head Start and childcare programs for nearly 200,000 children nationwide; and cut off access to housing vouchers for 20,000 veterans and 90,000 seniors, pushing them closer to homelessness. This deal hashed out by Republicans for Republicans was a disaster from the start, and the fact that it fell apart even quicker than it came together is embarrassing for the majority of this Chamber. It is amateur hour, but the stakes are too high, and the American people deserve better. Mr. Speaker, there are 212 Democrats standing by whenever your party is ready to get serious and do what needs to be done. There are 212 votes standing by to keep our government open, to keep veterans housed, to keep our children fed. I encourage Speaker McCarthy and my colleagues across the aisle to avert this disaster before it is too late. Put a clean funding package on the floor, and let's pass it together. That is our job. It is your job, and the American people expect you to do it.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding and for his decision to highlight the unprecedented investment being made in regions across our country. Over the past 2 years, every single State across New England has benefited mightily from President Biden's Invest in America agenda. We have heard already from my esteemed colleagues on the Regional Leadership Council about the lifesaving healthcare savings that families are starting to feel, the good-paying manufacturing jobs we are creating, and the tremendous strides we are making to close the digital divide. Each of those is being felt on the ground in my home State of Massachusetts and in every State in the region. Tonight, however, I would like to focus on a singular issue that has disproportionately improved the lives of almost every family in New England--President Biden's bipartisan infrastructure law. Mr. Speaker, New England is home to some of the oldest roads and bridges in our Nation. In fact, the bridge where the ``shot heard round the world'' was fired in Concord, Massachusetts, in the district I have the honor to represent, is still standing to this day. Battle Road, which connected Concord to Lexington nearly 250 years ago, is memorialized for folks across the country to come and experience for themselves. Of course, not every single bridge or road is that old, but there are thousands of these critical pieces of infrastructure across New England that are decades or even centuries old. Due to year after year divestment from Washington, State and local governments have struggled to keep up with increasing repair costs for a long time. Mr. Speaker, this was a problem I saw play out firsthand as a kid growing up in Lowell. The State came in and built what was supposed to be a temporary bridge, the Rourke Bridge, over the Merrimack River. The plan was to come back and replace the bridge in a few years, but that never happened. The temporary Rourke Bridge is still standing, albeit hardly, 40 years later. Until we took up and passed the bipartisan infrastructure law, there was no telling if and when it was ever going to be replaced, but this landmark legislation is delivering $150 million to finally get this project done. That is the kind of impact this once-in-a-generation investment is having in communities across New England. In Woodstock, New Hampshire, the Green Bridge on Route 175 was one of the first projects in the country to receive funding from the infrastructure law. In New London, Connecticut, over $320 million in Federal funding is supporting the rehab of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge on I-95, a critical corridor that supports more than 42,000 vehicles each day. Mr. Speaker, by the time the bipartisan infrastructure law has allocated its last dollar in 2027, it will have improved the lives of every single American. It will have made thousands of roads and bridges safer for parents to get their children to school on time. It will shorten commutes, giving workers back precious time from each evening to spend with their loved ones. It will have reduced car maintenance costs caused by crater-sized potholes that are the bane of every family's existence. This is the kind of progress Presidents of both parties have promised for decades but failed to deliver. However, President Biden and the Democrats in Congress got it done. Bridges large and small, from the iconic Golden Gate to the Basiliere Bridge in Haverhill, Massachusetts, are finally going to be completed because of it. I am proud of the work we did with President Biden to pass his Invest in America agenda, and I look forward to work ahead as a member of the Regional Leadership Council under Chairman Hoyer's tremendous leadership to make sure the bipartisan infrastructure law is successfully implemented.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because working families in my district and across the country deserve better than the legislation the Republican majority is forcing through this week. Under the leadership of Speaker McCarthy, House Republicans have drafted a partisan bill that will slash funding for critical food assistance programs that parents depend on to feed their children. In fact, under this extreme proposal, the GOP is defunding hundreds of millions of dollars from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC for short. That means that 5 million women and children nationwide, including 74,000 children and 24,000 women in my home State of Massachusetts, are going to see their benefits drastically cut. Mr. Speaker, if you think that sounds bad, just wait until you hear how Republicans are going to do it. For children, House Republicans are trying to reduce the WIC fruit and vegetable benefit from $25 to just $11 to cover a whole month. For pregnant and postpartum women, the GOP is slashing the fruit and vegetable benefit from $44 to $13 a month. For breastfeeding moms, this extreme proposal imposes a devastating 60 percent cut from $49 to just $15 each month. Mr. Speaker, these cuts are unnecessary, they are dangerous, and they are cruel. Above all else, this bill is a demonstration of the Republican Party's values. It is a demonstration of what they think life is like for working families, that you can simply tell a mom and her children or an expecting mother to stop being poor, and magically they won't be poor anymore. As someone who grew up in a working family that lived paycheck to paycheck, I can tell my colleagues across the aisle firsthand: That is not how it works. In fact, telling families to ``pull themselves up by their bootstraps'' while cutting the very program that they depend on to feed their children is going to have the opposite effect. It is going to force millions of Americans--millions of children--into hunger or worse. Now, Mr. Speaker, I know many of my Republican colleagues may not know what it is like to worry about making ends meet. They may not know what it is like worrying if they will be able to put food on the table the next day or have to swipe that EBT card at the grocery store in front of a long line praying it will cover everything in your cart. However, there are thousands--if not tens or hundreds of thousands-- of people in their home State who know exactly what that feels like and who experience that feeling every single day, and they are depending on them to stop what they are doing. Mr. Speaker, stop trying to cut the last safety net that they have to make sure their kids don't go hungry. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this dangerous legislation.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Mr. Speaker, on June 23, 2023, I missed a rollcall vote. Had I been present, I would have voted Nay on Roll Call No. 289.

Mrs. TRAHAN

Mrs. TRAHAN. Madam Speaker, the debt crisis that we are facing as a Nation right now is a manufactured one. Extreme Republicans are holding the livelihoods and the bank accounts of hardworking families hostage. You don't have to take my word for it. This week, one of the most far right, TV-loving Members of this Chamber said he doesn't feel like they should negotiate with their hostage. That is a quote. What is the ransom they are demanding? Gutting the critical programs that those same families depend on to make ends meet. It is disgraceful to tell parents working two jobs that their food assistance is being cut because Republicans are helping millionaires cheat on their taxes. It is shameful to tell a veteran that his rental assistance stopped because the GOP doesn't want billion-dollar corporations paying their fair share. We can end this manufactured crisis today, Madam Speaker. All it takes is five sensible, five responsible Republicans to turn their car around and join us in this discharge petition for a clean debt limit. Do the right thing. Do it today.