Maxine Waters

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a beloved public servant from the 43rd Congressional District of California, and a favorite son of the City of Hawthorne, the Honorable Pablo H. Catano. Pablo Catano was born in Texas on June 29, 1939, and moved to California with his high school sweetheart in 1954. They raised three children, two daughters and a son, Pablo, Jr., who tragically passed away in 1985. Pablo worked as a machinist at Rockwell International, where he contributed to the development of the escape hatch on the Apollo 11 spacecraft. His time at Rockwell also ignited his passion for social justice and political involvement through his active role in the union. Pablo later became a political activist. He was proud of having marched with labor leader Cesar Chavez, and he worked with local politicians and various community organizations. He was admired by elected leaders for his activism and knowledge of city politics in Hawthorne and surrounding communities. This led to Pablo being hired as a District Representative for both California State Senators Teresa Hughes and Edward Vincent. A pillar of the community, Pablo was supportive of and served on the board of several organizations in Hawthorne, which included Moneta Gardens Improvement, Behavioral Health Services, Hawthorne Lions Club, and the Hawthorne Moose Lodge 1746, just to name a few. In 2001, Pablo Catano was elected to the Hawthorne City Council, becoming the first Chicano/Latino elected official in the city. His leadership was recognized when he assumed the role of mayor pro tempore, and after serving two terms on the city council, he retired in 2009 to focus on his health following a stroke. Pablo Hernandez Catano passed away on November 3, 2024, leaving behind to cherish his memory, his daughters Sylvia and Cynthia, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many close friends. On March 20, 2025, I will join Pablo's family, friends, and the entire Hawthorne community when the City of Hawthorne hosts a celebration of life for a great public servant, a devoted family man, and my friend, the Honorable Pablo Catano.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 58.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose the Republican budget rip-off. I hear from constituents every day about the high cost of living. Under the Trump administration, healthcare costs are rising, and putting food on the table is getting harder as egg prices skyrocket and housing remains unaffordable. Unfortunately, the Republican rip-off is a slap in the face to working families. Trump, Elon Musk, and House Republicans are asking us to support axing Medicaid by $180 billion, even though food stamps reduce rural poverty. Republicans will cut this program too by $230 billion. Republicans are defunding the police by stripping funding from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the CFPB is the only Federal cop on the block to hold Wall Street banks and Big Tech payment apps accountable when they cheat Americans. It is shameful that while families suffer from high prices, Musk is firing thousands of Federal workers and stealing sensitive data from his competitors. Although this rip-off cuts $2 trillion in vital programs, what do Republicans plan to do with this money? Mr. Chairman, they are going to give $4.5 trillion in tax cuts to the billionaires in this country. That is $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. If that math doesn't compute, it is because Republicans expect Americans to buy the next megayacht for Jeff Bezos. Mr. Chairman, we are not going to do that, and Democrats are voting ``no'' on this budget. It is outrageous that Republicans have the audacity to come here with this budget that harms so many Americans and ask us to support billionaires and think we are going to buy it? The majority thinks we are going to support it? My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have another thought coming. We ain't doing it.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 38.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I missed votes yesterday due to an unavoidable emergency. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 22, H.R. 165 Wounded Knee Memorial Act; and NAY on Roll Call No. 23, Passage of S. 5 Laken Riley Act.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Deluzio).

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Espaillat), who is also the sponsor of this bill.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6751, the Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act, sponsored by Representative Espaillat. This bill honors the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente, who is renowned not just for being an exceptional baseball player but also for being an Afro-Puerto Rican cultural icon and human rights activist. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. When Clemente started his major league debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1955, he encountered Jim Crow laws that forced Black players to stay at separate, inferior hotels and refused them the option to dine with their White teammates. When he reported to spring training for the first time, Black players had to wait on the bus for their White teammates to bring them food from restaurants after games. Clemente despised the routine and threatened to fight Black players who took the food, and he later requested separate transportation. The Pirates eventually provided a station wagon for the Black players. In late 1972, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit Managua, Nicaragua, killing 5,000 people. In response, Roberto Clemente sent shipments of humanitarian aid to the country. After learning that three previous shipments had been diverted by corrupt government officials, Clemente decided to accompany one of the aid shipments. During this trip, however, Roberto Clemente tragically died in a plane crash. This commemorative coin would ensure that Clemente's selflessness would never be forgotten. Roberto Clemente has been recognized for his achievements as a baseball player, a humanitarian activist, and a symbol of Latin American pride. This commemorative coin bill would continue to recognize his life and legacy. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Frost).

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. This bill will direct the U.S. Mint to create a commemorative coin to honor the life and legacy of Roberto Clemente, a baseball player and human rights activist, with proceeds going to the Roberto Clemente Foundation. He used his platform as a baseball player to push for equal rights in sports and has become a symbol of Afro-Puerto Rican pride. I am proud to cosponsor this bill. I thank Representative Espaillat for his work on this important bill, and I again urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 4243, the Shirley Chisolm Congressional Gold Medal Act, sponsored by Representative Barbara Lee. Today we will vote to honor former Representative Shirley Chisolm with a Congressional Gold Medal for her activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics as the first African-American woman elected to serve in Congress. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill. Shirley Chisolm was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was the oldest of four daughters to immigrant parents. In fact, Chisolm lived in Barbados between the ages of 5 and 9 and always considered herself Barbadian. Last week, I was pleased to join Minority Leader Jeffries and many members of the Congressional Black Caucus as we celebrated Chisolm along with the people of Barbados. It was such a great time, and I am thankful that we continue this celebration in Congress today. Chisolm graduated from Brooklyn College cum laude in 1946 where she also excelled on the debate team. Her professors encouraged her to consider a political career. She knew she would face difficulties as an African-American woman, but that did not stop her. In 1964, Chisholm became the second African American to serve in the New York State legislature. In 1968 she was elected to the 91st Congress as the first African-American woman Member. As the first African American and the first woman to chair the Financial Services Committee, I am grateful for trailblazers like Shirley Chisolm who created space in politics for Americans like me. During her congressional term, Congresswoman Chisolm introduced more than 50 pieces of legislation, focusing on gender and racial equality and ending the Vietnam war. In 1971 she became a cofounder of the National Women's Political Caucus and founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, which I am proud to be a member of. In the 1972 Presidential election, Shirley Chisolm became the first African-American candidate to seek a major party's nomination for President of the United States. She was also the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's Presidential nomination. However, discrimination followed her campaign. Shirley Chisolm was blocked from participating in televised primary debates and was only allowed to make one speech after taking legal action. Students, women, and people of color followed her campaign closely. After her bid for the Presidency, Chisolm continued serving in the House of Representatives until she retired in 1982, 10 years before I began my first term as a Congresswoman. She once said: ``If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.'' Today we will honor Chisholm not just with a seat at the table but with the highest honor Congress can bestow. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), who is also the sponsor of this bill.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 2 minutes to the gentlewoman.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Horsford), who is also the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentleman from Nevada.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke).

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. Lee Carter).

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close if the gentleman from North Carolina has no further speakers.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman McHenry for his generosity. I thank the gentleman for his support. This is one of the last actions my colleague may be taking prior to the closing of this session, and I want the gentleman to know we are very appreciative for the fact that he has taken the time to not only be here, but to share his time in a very generous way to Ms. Lee. Mr. Speaker, this important bill will award a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Shirley Chisholm, an unbought and unbossed advocate for women and people of color. Today, we will vote to award this high honor to a woman who dared to be a catalyst for change. I thank Representative Barbara Lee for her work on this important bill, and, of course, again, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill. Mr. Speaker, I am going to urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield the balance of my time to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for the purposes of closing. Mr. Speaker, this important bill will posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats in recognition of their brave and vital service of saving Jewish people during World War II. We should all be grateful for and inspired by their sacrifices. Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsors of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 91, the Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act, sponsored by Senator Hagerty. With this bill, we are honoring 60 diplomats from around the world in recognition of their brave and vital service of saving Jewish people during World War II. When Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime were implementing a horrific mass murder of the Jewish population in Germany, a handful of diplomats from around the world stepped forward to assist the Jewish community, risking expulsion if discovered. Many of these diplomats also had strict orders from their home countries to not aid the Jewish population. Despite threats to their careers and livelihoods, these diplomats used the means at their disposal to help the Jewish community. They issued passports and travel visas, contrary to the instruction of their home countries, saving hundreds of thousands of Jewish families in Europe. The diplomats also connected with local populations to set up safe houses and getaways to hide people, specifically Jewish children, from Nazi authorities. Every diplomat was aware of the dangers yet continued with their efforts to save the Jewish population. Several diplomats confronted the Nazis directly on behalf of the Jews, personally putting themselves in immediate danger. The diplomats displayed bravery and heroism throughout the Holocaust and risked their careers and livelihoods to carry out this humanitarian mission. Today, we will vote to present them with our highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal. Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsors of this bill. I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. At a time when our Nation faces an unprecedented affordable housing and homelessness crisis, which House Republicans have done nothing to address over the last 2 years, it is unthinkable to consider reducing support for the very individuals who have risked their lives to defend our freedom. When this bill came before our committee, we understood that this bill perhaps will lessen the kind of support that very, very poor veterans get. We know that, in fact, those veterans with disabilities, for example, are being penalized in ways because that disability check that they are getting does not fully support them. Any money that they get for their disability should not be taken into consideration for whether or not they are eligible, and so in trying to balance what we do for disability and for the poor veterans, we thought perhaps this wasn't the right way to do it. Mr. Speaker, do you know what? Given the housing crisis and the needs that veterans have, we certainly have changed our opinion on the thought that perhaps the bill was not the right one. We support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I want you to know that the incoming Trump administration has endorsed basically what I just described as doing nothing to address the housing and homeless crisis over the last 2 years. Today's bipartisan bill, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act, represents an important stance by the House of Representatives to oppose efforts to slash housing programs like the Community Development Block Grant program and benefits for U.S. veterans generally. It has to be very clear that we support the Community Development Block Grant program, period. We also support the idea that disabled veterans should not be penalized because they are getting disability benefits and that it would be considered having too much money in order to qualify for some housing programs. We join with our friends from across the aisle in support of this legislation. Mr. Speaker, I want you to know that we are thinking very, very hard about some of the coming actions that will be taken by this new administration as it relates to veterans. When we see and understand how best to help veterans--those who are getting disability benefits and those who are poor, who are standing in line, who are waiting to get benefits--we don't want the new administration to take any action against our veterans, against our disabled veterans. Mr. Speaker, I am really worried about co-president Musk and what he said in an op-ed. He said he plans to slash nearly $500 billion in government spending where congressional authorization has expired. That figure includes nearly $120 billion in funding for veterans, including money for VA hospitals, doctors, nurses, medications, and procedures. Notably, the program we are amending today, the Community Development Block Grant program, also has elapsed authorization. That means it will also be on the chopping block. I hope my Republican colleagues are paying attention. We are paying attention. Passage of this bill would only help veterans if Republicans also block co-president Musk's efforts to eliminate CDBG entirely. I strongly oppose co-president Elon Musk's efforts to harm veterans, to strip affordable housing from families, and to take away Federal grants used to educate our children. Instead, we should look to see how mega-billionaires like co- president Musk and others pay their fair share in taxes. They profit handsomely, often at the expense of Americans, and they should have to pay a larger portion. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I want both sides of the aisle to look closely at everything that has been said about our veterans and any attempts to undermine their ability to have a decent quality of life and to get the support that they expect. If you look closely, no matter what is being said, let's join together on both sides of the aisle and support our veterans, no matter what. Let's tell co-president Elon Musk that, no, he will not, shall not, and must not do anything to harm our veterans when talking about getting rid of all unauthorized programs. We have seen the light, and we hope he will see the light. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Sherman), who is also the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Capital Markets.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from California.

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program helps local communities fund housing and economic development projects that primarily serve low-income and moderate-income households, including many veterans. Like many civilians, countless veterans are struggling to make ends meet while housing costs continue to rise. It is thanks to Federal housing programs under the Biden-Harris administration that Democrats have successfully reduced homelessness among veterans to its lowest level ever. It is thanks to Federal investments in the housing supply that the Biden-Harris administration has helped build more homes and slowed the rate of housing inflation compared to the previous administration. Last Congress, Democrats successfully passed four housing bills into law. Meanwhile, as of today, Republicans have passed zero housing bills into law and have passed just one housing bill on the House floor before today, which would hike up mortgage rates and make homeownership more expensive. Today, the Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act finally represents a bipartisan commitment to the Federal Government's role in housing and supporting our Nation's veterans. Indeed, it is because of our duty to secure the well-being and dignity of those who have served that no one in this Chamber can rest easy if they care about veterans. Co-president Elon Musk is already eyeing massive cuts to veteran benefits, up to $120 billion. I hope we will similarly see strong bipartisanship as we oppose those efforts next Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. WATERS

Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, during Roll Call Vote No. 475 on H.R. 8368, I mistakenly recorded my vote as NAY when I should have voted YEA.