Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 6955. Community banks and credit unions are the foundations of our financial system. As ranking member of the House Small Business Committee, I understand better than most the role they play in our communities, offering small business loans, farm loans, and mortgages. They are critical lifelines to our rural and underserved communities that have been left behind by our biggest banks. While I believe in sensible tailoring to help community banks and credit unions do what they do best--deliver personalized products to meet the needs of their customers--this bill moves far beyond sensible tailoring. Instead of focusing on modest improvements, this package represents the largest amount of bank deregulation since before the financial crisis. It includes sweeping reforms that will not only significantly roll back necessary safeguards and weaken oversight, but it will also undermine consumer protection and antidiscrimination measures and hamper the CFPB's ability to issue new rules. This deregulation package will push risk into the shadows and make the next publicly financed bailout more likely. This is especially concerning at a time when financial regulatory agencies are under political attack, pursuing industry-friendly agendas, and are starved of resources. That is why more than 25 labor, consumer, housing, economic justice, and public interest organizations are opposing this bill.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my strong opposition to the so-called ``Ending Discrimination in Government Contracting Act,'' legislation that would more accurately be described as the ``Ending WOSB Participation in Government Contracting Act.'' This latest attempt to attack small business entrepreneurs and women's participation in the federal marketplace is transparent, misguided, and cruel. The intent of this bill is specific and the result is predictable: it will depress contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses, unlevel the playing field to reduce competition, and further the underrepresentation of women-owned firms in federal contracting across all sectors and industries. Mr. Speaker, starting and growing a small business is already incredibly difficult for most current and aspiring entrepreneurs. The challenges can be immense, from accessing affordable capital and hiring qualified staff to maintaining or growing sales while integrating new tech. Successfully navigating the landscape requires persistence, determination, and flexibility. Competing for government contracts adds another layer of complexity, especially for small firms without the resources of corporate giants or the ear of this President. The Small Business Administration (SBA)'s Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program is designed to help level the playing field for women- owned small businesses in the federal marketplace. It was not established solely to remedy the very real discrimination and bias that women-owned firms faced then and still face today. Congress established the WOSB Program to address how the systematic, well-documented underrepresentation of women-owned firms in specific industries was undermining the government's objectives. Like the WOSB federal contracting goals, the government's objectives remain unmet. In 1994, Congress established a goal of awarding 5 percent of federal contracting dollars to women-owned small businesses government-wide, providing ``a target that will result in greater opportunities for women to compete for federal contracts.'' Recognizing the obstacles that female entrepreneurs faced when entering and competing in the federal market. Congress identified this as an uphill battle: ``Given the slow progress to date . . . this goal may take some time to be reached.'' Over three decades later, this remains an understatement. The government has only met the goal twice, most recently in 2019. At the time the goal was enacted, women-owned firms were awarded less than 2 percent of federal contracts. The dollars and percentages have climbed slowly and steadily but progress is inconsistent. In recent years, WOSB contracts have made up almost 5 percent of eligible small business spending, meaning the goal has helped to grow WOSB market share by roughly 1 percent each decade. We knew it would take time, but this progress has been insufficient for those of us who believe strongly in equal opportunity and a level playing field. It appears that for supporters of the ``Ending WOSB Participation in Government Contracting Act,'' more than 95 percent of federal contract awarded to non-women-owned small businesses is insufficient for their goals as well. Apparently, the ``discrimination'' that non-WOSBs face as a result of receiving only more than 95 percent of federal contracting dollars must be remedied with legislative efforts designed to reduce the market share of women-owned firms--from its current 4.5 percent to zero. The motives behind this bill are transparent but we do not need it to pass to know the result. We are now seeing the impact of a government that retreats from policies empowering women-owned firms. As the SBA recently announced, in Year One of the Trump Administration: The value of contracts awarded to all small businesses dropped by $4.5 billion, while women-owned firms saw a decrease of $2.3 billion. That is a staggering amount: WOSB contracts make up 16 percent of all small business contracts but took half the total losses for all small businesses last year. The number of small businesses participating in the industrial base also tanked, while WOSBs were again disproportionately impacted. The government awarded contracts to 6.9 percent fewer small businesses than the year before, yet 7.4 percent fewer women-owned firms received a contract. The disproportionate impact of this Administration's policies on women-owned small businesses previews the predictable and foreseeable consequences of the ``Ending WOSB Participation in Government Contracting Act.'' It further highlights why the goals and tools are needed now more than ever. In 2000, I wrote, and successfully shepherded into law, legislation that created the WOSB Program. Rather than relying only on a goal, we gave federal agencies the tools to bring women into the market and level the playing field for them to compete. Like other small business procurement programs, contracting officers are permitted to use small business only competitions and direct awards to SBA-certified firms, when certain conditions are met. We knew at the time that any federal contracting program assisting women-owned firms had to pass constitutional scrutiny. We built in strong legal protections that have enabled the program to remain operational today. As a result of the details and complexity of these protections, however, the WOSBs tools remain underutilized, and contracts awarded using these tools are few. The less than $2 billion in contracts awarded through the WOSB Program makes up: just over 6 percent of contracts awarded to women-owned small businesses, roughly 1 percent of all small business contracts, and barely a fraction--only 0.3 percent-- of total government contracts. That bears repeating, as supporters of efforts like this bill conveniently leave it out: the overwhelming majority of contracts awarded to WOSBs are awarded competitively. Firms owned by men are not discriminated against or left out of these competitions, women-owned firms are winning them. In Fiscal Year 2024, WOSBs won $12 billion in competitions among other small businesses and more than $8 billion in competitions against other than small firms. This context helps clarify the motives behind this bill: to stigmatize the WOSB Program and eliminate the market share that currently results from WOSBs winning competitively-awarded contracts. For those of us who believe strongly in equal opportunity and a level playing field, the unmet goal and underutilization of the procurement tools show the government is not properly implementing the WOSB program-and therefore not addressing needs of the women business owners it is designed to serve. In a recent Small Business Committee hearing on the defense industrial base, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) summed it up bluntly: ``It is not a shortage of capable women-owned firms ready to bid and win. . . . The goal is the government's to meet, and the reasons it goes unmet are structural and within the government's own control.'' It appears however that for supporters of the ``Ending WOSB Participation in Government Contracting Act,'' more than 99.97 percent of federal contracts open to competition from non-WOSBs does not meet their needs either. This bill and similar attacks on small business programs often imply that the government simply hands out contracts to unqualified and unvetted companies. This ignores the fundamental nature of government procurement, and is both inaccurate and insulting. In my years leading the Small Business Committee, I have yet to meet a small business who says the government's requirements are too lax, winning contracts is easy, and compliance is not burdensome. Even before last year's exodus of small businesses from the federal market, estimates showed the government has almost half the number of small businesses in its ecosystem than a decade ago. The shrinking industrial base usually sets off bipartisan alarms. The Department of Defense calls it a national security risk. Therefore, recruiting and retaining small businesses into the public sector, ensuring they have contracting opportunities, and bolstering the resiliency and competitiveness of the industrial base should be our priority. As women entrepreneurs increasingly venture into diverse industries, the WOSB Program can help us do that. In fact, women-owned small businesses are the industrial base's growth opportunity. I hope all of my colleagues will join me in opposing this extremist bill to eliminate the WOSB program and any legislation that rolls back the hard-fought gains women have made in the workplace, the business community, and the federal market.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Principal Marc Pascente for his extraordinary commitment to public education and his unwavering dedication to the students, families, and communities of New York's 7th Congressional District and across New York City. For more than two decades, Principal Pascente has devoted his career to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education and the support necessary to succeed. He began his service with New York City Public Schools in 2001 as a New Language teacher through the Teaching Fellows program at Theodore Roosevelt High School in the Bronx. From the very beginning, he distinguished himself as an educator committed to equity, inclusion, and empowering students from diverse backgrounds. In 2006, he assumed the role of Assistant Principal at Belmont Preparatory High School, where he continued to foster a student- centered environment grounded in growth, opportunity, and academic excellence. His leadership and vision would later reach new heights when he became Principal of Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, Queens at the start of the 2018-2019 school year. Throughout his tenure at Grover Cleveland High School, Principal Pascente placed the needs of students at the forefront of every decision. His transformative leadership revitalized key school facilities, including the auditorium, library, and cafeteria, creating welcoming spaces where students could learn, grow, and thrive. His advocacy on behalf of young people, particularly those from underserved and vulnerable communities, has opened doors and expanded opportunities for countless students. As the facilitator of the My Brother's Keeper program, Principal Pascente inspired young men to pursue academic excellence, leadership, and personal integrity. He also broadened students' horizons by championing educational field trips to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Boston, providing opportunities to engage with history, culture, and higher education firsthand. Under Principal Pascente's leadership, Grover Cleveland High School became a model of innovation and inclusion. The school piloted the Civic Seal program, expanded participation in the New York State Seal of Biliteracy to include speakers of Spanish, Italian, Mandarin, and Polish, and welcomed both a bilingual GED program and a District 75 program. These initiatives strengthened the school's reputation as a place where all learners are valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Beyond the programs and accomplishments, Principal Pascente's greatest legacy is the culture of belonging he cultivated. He has consistently amplified student voices, nurtured talent, and demonstrated compassion, integrity, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every young person who walked through the school's doors. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Principal Marc Pascente for his distinguished public service career. His legacy will continue to shape the lives of students and strengthen our communities for years to come.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, almost a year ago, we debated a horrific piece of Republican legislation that cut more than a trillion dollars from healthcare and nearly $200 billion in food assistance for hungry families, all so billionaires could get another tax cut. That same bill handed over $170 billion to DHS for immigration enforcement--money used to supercharge ICE and CBP as they terrorized immigrant communities, trampled the Constitution, brutalized and killed American citizens in the streets. Since then, life has only gotten more unaffordable. What is the Republican answer? Their answer is another $70 billion for immigration enforcement that is already out of control. It is a slap in the face to every American struggling to get by. It is a slap in the face to every small business in this country that is struggling. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no.''

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, finally, let me say that this bill is a much-needed first step. It is not the entire answer. We must all recognize that we still need substantial monetary investments in housing programs to ensure effective development and reconstruction of the units we need. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6644. I thank Ranking Member Waters and Chairman Hill for including my language on cooperative housing developments and oversight of monitors and receivers of public housing authorities. Cooperatives provide more than 1.5 million families with financially stable housing across the United States and are a critical source of homeownership. Unfortunately, however, they are often excluded from Federal housing programs. Explicit recognition in this bill will ensure that cooperatives can access the bill's benefits and continue to remain a critical component of our affordable housing stock. Additionally, my language requiring Federal monitors and receivers of PHAs to provide annual testimony and written assessments to Congress will ensure Congress is coordinated and providing struggling PHAs with the resources they need to improve their operations and conditions. It will also help ensure effective use of the taxpayers' money.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the extraordinary life and legacy of Minerva Solla, a tireless advocate for working people, whose commitment to justice, dignity, and human rights has spanned more than five decades. I recognize her in honor of Women's History Month. From her earliest days as a community organizer in New York City, Minerva has dedicated her life to empowering workers and strengthening communities. Her journey into labor activism began at the early age of 15 years old while working part-time at Bell Telephone, where a strike by the Communications Workers of America opened her eyes to the transformative power of organized labor. In 1972, while working at Roosevelt Hospital, Minerva helped lead a historic 47-day strike that resulted in union representation through 1199SEIU. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment to the labor movement. She went on to serve in numerous organizing roles within 1199, helping to build it into one of the most influential unions in the Nation while organizing workers across New York City and the Hudson Valley. Since knowing her, Minerva has been a proud champion of social justice and Puerto Rican cultural heritage. She founded the 1199 Latinos Unidos Committee, uplifting Latino voices within the labor movement and beyond. Her leadership extended into cultural advocacy across New York State, as well as humanitarian efforts, including coordinating medical missions in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Even in retirement, Minerva never wavered. Through her work with the New York State Nurses Association, she has led political action campaigns and played a key role in advancing landmark legislation, including Paid Family Leave and the Safe Staffing for Quality Care Act. Today, Minerva continues to serve her community with distinction as Chairperson of the Red Carpet for Social Justice Women's Coalition, Executive Vice President of the Westchester Chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (AFL-CIO), and Vice President of the Retiree Division of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. Her presence remains a powerful force in community organizing, labor advocacy, and social justice movements. Her unwavering dedication continues to inspire generations of leaders and advocates. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Minerva Solla for her remarkable contributions and lifelong commitment to workers' rights, cultural pride, and community empowerment. Her legacy stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action for us all.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing. Mr. Speaker, I once again thank my colleagues in the Senate for their hard work in bringing this together, as well as our House partnership of myself, Chairman Williams, Chairman Babin, and Ranking Member Lofgren for working in a bipartisan way to reauthorize this program. The time for delay is over. I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' and get this bill to the President as soon as possible. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 3971, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act. Mr. Speaker, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer, SBIR and STTR, programs saw their reauthorizations lapse last October. As a result, nearly $6 billion in funding for small, innovative companies was frozen. These programs are overwhelmingly successful, boasting a demonstrated return across over 40 years of operation, resulting in groundbreaking technologies that have revolutionized medicine, telecommunications, and military capabilities. Unfortunately, negotiations started too late and disagreements were too great to reach a deal before the deadline. I am proud to say that, after months of uncertainty, we are finally turning the lights back on. The product before us today is the result of that monthslong deliberation while the program was lapsed. Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, this legislation is something we can all be proud of. Ideas from our majority like strategic breakthrough funding will help attract both private capital and government buy-in to rapidly scale promising technologies. At the same time, ideas from myself and Senator Markey serve to strengthen our program's Phase III by investing in contract officer training and ensuring the PCRs advocate for small firms with successful products in the government. Together, these provisions mark a cohesive effort at bridging the valley of death for small, innovative companies. Longstanding bipartisan priorities such as strengthening the program's data collection system, as well as making improvements to technical and business assistance and the Innovative Corps program, have finally made it across the finish line. In addition, my colleagues on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee made real improvements to the foreign due diligence program, protecting small firms from espionage by our adversaries. Over and above all, after a period of tremendous uncertainty, a reauthorization period of longer than 5 years will give small businesses and agencies the certainty they need for long-term planning. The lapse in authorization over the past 5 months has been excruciating and unprecedented for small firms and labs who are at the cutting edge of technology. It has also been painful for families who are waiting for a cure for diseases that afflict their loved ones, only to see the companies working on those cures lose funding. This lapse was avoidable, and the costs were real. We must be active in efforts to ensure it never happens again. I am grateful for the work of my colleagues and our staff for bringing this agreement together in the spirit of compromise. That is how this program has always worked and must continue to work. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I commend Ms. Scholten and Mr. Downing for their dedication to our Nation's innovative small enterprises, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5784. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am proud to support H.R. 5784, the AI-WISE Act. Four years ago, AI burst into mainstream focus with the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT. When I first tried this tool, I was shocked. I knew then and there that AI had the potential to revolutionize the way American firms operate and do business. AI, like all emerging technology, comes with risks. AI outputs are prone to bias, discrimination, misinformation, and omissions. Safety and cybersecurity vulnerabilities can render AI deployers open to adversarial attacks. We don't even fully know this risk because we cannot predict AI's trajectory, so new risk could come up as it evolves and adds capabilities. We have all seen reports of GenAI gone wrong, with episodes ranging from customer service chatbots at car dealerships offering to sell pickup trucks for $1 to general purpose chatbots advising small businesses to break the law. In other words, a small business using a flawed AI model risks steep reputational and legal harm. Many of these incidents are attributable simply to AI's current technological immaturity and the growing pains that come with its ongoing evolution. This is why AI literacy is crucial for small businesses to keep up with their larger competitors considering and adopting AI. The AI-WISE Act will direct SBA to create online AI literacy resources for entrepreneurs, so they have the tools to make sound choices on AI adoption and use. It will also direct the SBA to keep their resources updated on innovations in AI technology through an expert working group. Finally, the bill will allow the SBA resource partners to develop specialized and localized assistance to best educate their communities. I thank my colleagues, Ms. Scholten and Mr. Downing, for collaborating over the last 2 years to bring this bill to the floor. Furthermore, let me convey my gratitude to Chairman Williams; his staff director, Lauren Holmes; and all the floor staff for seeing this bill through today. It is greatly appreciated. Madam Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I again applaud Representatives Tran and Patronis for their bipartisan work on this bill. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Tran), the lead sponsor of the bill.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bill before us today, H.R. 5788, the 504 Program Risk Oversight Act. Madam Speaker, transparency is key to ensuring the proper operation and functioning of the SBA lending programs, including the 504/CDC program. This bill will give the Committee on Small Business the necessary information to carry out our oversight authority. Federal law requires the SBA Office of Credit Risk Management to conduct an annual portfolio risk analysis of the SBA flagship 7(a) loan program and provide Congress with a detailed report of their results. This report has been crucial in Committee on Small Business Democrats' investigation into the rising default levels in the 7(a) program and has helped us to respond accordingly. Unfortunately, no statutory reporting requirement exists for the 504/ CDC loan program. H.R. 5788 will fix that by adding a requirement that the SBA conduct an annual risk analysis of the 504/CDC program and provide Congress with their results. Tailored to the 504/CDC program's unique features, the report will provide Congress with many of the same data points it currently provides on the 7(a) program, but the bill also requires several new data points to improve our stewardship of the program. While loan defaults aren't currently a concern for the 504 program, this bill will provide Congress with valuable information needed to monitor the program's operation, guard against future risk, and ensure that the program's zero-subsidy requirement is maintained. Madam Speaker, I applaud Representatives Tran and Patronis for their work on this bill, which is supported by the National Association of Development Companies. I ask my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I commend the sponsors for working together on this important legislation to provide small businesses with the training they need. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support the AI for Main Street Act, which would allow SBDCs to assist small business owners on how to evaluate artificial intelligence. I commend Mr. Alford and Ms. Scholten for working together on this bipartisan legislation. AI has the potential to boost productivity, enhance customer service, and save costs. While it is becoming increasingly common for small businesses to use AI to streamline their operations, many still do not know how to access it responsibly. If used incorrectly, AI could have disastrous consequences. That is why it is incredibly important for SBA and its entrepreneurial ecosystem to help small businesses understand the potential pitfalls and learn how to avoid them. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, I, again, thank Chairman Williams and Representative Simon for their bipartisan work on this bill. I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Simon).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5763, the Main Street Parity Act. One of the key functions of the SBA is to ensure that small businesses in communities across the country have access to the capital they need to grow and scale their operations. The SBA has long served this need through its loan guarantee program, including the 504/CDC program. The 504/CDC program supports small businesses in accessing capital for the development of major fixed assets like land, buildings, equipment, and machinery. As part of the program, loans are guaranteed for so-called special use properties like amusement parks, car washes, bowling alleys, and gas stations. When the special use designation was created in 1996, Congress required businesses developing these properties to pay a special purpose penalty. The penalty requires these businesses to provide at least 15 to 20 percent equity instead of the minimum 10 percent for standard 504/CDC loans. While the additional equity requirement served an important safeguard for the program when first enacted, we have seen over time that the extra risk is not as great as anticipated. In the past 30 years, technological developments and time have shown that many of these properties can be successfully repurposed for alternative uses, increasing the market pool of potential buyers. Further, the charge-off rates for special purpose and standard loans are similar, demonstrating that these loans pose no greater risk than regular 504 loans. Because of its limited risk, the special use penalty is no longer necessary. H.R. 5763 reduces the minimum equity requirement for special purpose properties to at least 10 percent, in line with the requirement for standard 504/CDC loans. Most importantly, it maintains discretionary authority to require higher equity if deemed necessary. This bill is supported by the National Association of Development Companies. Madam Speaker, I applaud Chairman Williams' and Representative Simon's bipartisan work on this issue, and I ask all my colleagues to support it. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3496, the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act. This is a straightforward but important bill that expands access to SBA's microloan program to small businesses in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. These small businesses face unique challenges, as geographic isolation leads to higher costs for goods and services. Their economy is heavily reliant on tourism, which can ebb and flow with the economy and natural disasters. Having access to affordable credit gives small businesses the ability to weather the storms and economic uncertainty and fully prepare for the next opportunity. The extension of the microloan program to CNMI will be critical to support business growth, create jobs, and stimulate the local economy. I have long supported efforts to ensure the territories have full access to SBA products and services. In previous Congresses, I worked with then-Representative Sablan to establish an SBDC center in CNMI, and I also worked to ensure that CNMI had access to the microloan program as part of a more comprehensive bill. Unfortunately, the bill to improve the microloan program was not enacted into law. I am glad to be working across the aisle again to make sure territories receive full access to SBA services. Madam Speaker, I urge Members to support this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this War Powers Resolution. Twenty-three years ago, I stood on this same floor as Congress debated an Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq. The Bush administration relied on bad intelligence and outright lies to march America into a disastrous foreign intervention that cost trillions of dollars, took thousands of American lives, and helped destabilize the region for a generation. Today, I fear we are watching history repeat itself. Once again, a far-right administration is using the same playbook. The justification this administration has provided to Congress and the American people is a joke. If this were about drugs, why seize an oil tanker and threaten an illegal Navy blockade? If this were about drugs, why would the President pardon a drug-trafficking former President of Honduras? This is not about drugs. This is about regime change and control of Venezuela's resources. Nicolas Maduro is a dictator, and you don't have to defend him to recognize a simple truth: Venezuela does not pose an imminent threat, and a war will do nothing to make America safer. We are sleepwalking into another disastrous foreign war, and Congress must wake up and stop this before it is too late. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.