Maxine Waters

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 6, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, a bipartisan bill to address opioid addiction and other forms of substance abuse. A comprehensive, common-sense, and compassionate approach to substance use disorders is long overdue. For far too long, many communities throughout the United States have been devastated by substance use disorders. However, despite the widespread suffering that millions of people--particularly African Americans during the crack cocaine epidemic--endured and still endure today, our federal, state, and local governments, in many instances, have pursued punitive measures in lieu of effective solutions to ensure that all communities can adequately heal from the devastating impacts of addiction. I am especially pleased that this bill now includes my amendment to the House version of H.R. 6, which requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a review of the organizations, government agencies, and other entities that receive federal funding to provide substance use disorder treatment services. In addition, the amendment directs HHS to develop, and submit to Congress, a plan to direct appropriate resources to address the inadequacies in services or funding identified through the review. I am also pleased that this bill addresses concerns that I raised about the opioid legislation in the House that allowed states to use Medicaid funds to provide treatment to persons with opioid use disorders in Institutions for Mental Disease (IMDs), but did not allow similar treatment for persons with other types of substance use disorders. In order to seriously address substance use disorders in communities throughout the United States, it is critical that we include persons who suffer from all types of substance use disorders, including those that involve alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine, as well as opioids. I offered an amendment to the legislation in the House aimed at addressing my concern about the exclusion of non-opioid forms of substance use disorders from treatment in IMDs. While my amendment was not accepted, I am pleased that efforts were made to address my concern. The final version of H.R. 6 allows states to provide Medicaid coverage in IMDs for persons with all types of substance use disorders and also includes safeguards to ensure that states do not reduce the availability of community-based treatment for persons suffering from substance use disorders. While I appreciate the work that has been done on many components of this bill, I still have some important concerns. As the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, which has jurisdiction over housing programs, I am concerned that this bill falls short when it comes to providing housing for people with substance use disorders. The bill includes a provision that creates a new grant program to provide temporary housing assistance to help people with substance use disorders, but this new funding will only be available in half of the states. This will leave the other half of the states continuing to struggle with the challenges of helping people with substance use disorders who are in need of housing. Furthermore, this bill does nothing to address the overly punitive and unfair policies governing our federal housing programs that create unnecessary barriers to housing for people who have criminal backgrounds related to substance use disorders. I am encouraged that there is bipartisan support for addressing the housing needs of persons suffering from substance use disorders, but I am disheartened that Congress continues to fall short in its efforts to provide comprehensive solutions that will help people suffering from substance use disorders in every state of the country. As we work to address the opioid crisis at hand, let's not forget that Congress still has a lot of work to do in the way of criminal justice reform to address the ongoing harmful and discriminatory impacts of the war on drugs era. Despite these concerns, I believe this bill includes some valuable bipartisan solutions that represent a step in the right direction. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 6, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to address the scourge of substance use disorders in communities throughout the United States.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Jamie Raskin for organizing a Special Order to follow the 1 minutes to honor the memory of our dear friend and former colleague, Congressman Ron Dellums. Ron Dellums was an unabashed progressive icon, and a strong and outspoken advocate for his constituents, veterans, people of color, and other vulnerable communities during his 13-term tenure in the United States Congress. Understanding the unique problems facing the African-American community, Ron Dellums joined with 12 fellow civil rights giants, including Lou Stokes, Bill Clay, Shirley Chisholm, to create the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971. True to his creed, the CBC remains the conscience of the Congress today and has grown to a historic 48 members. As a former U.S. Marine, Ron Dellums was one of the most outspoken opponents of the Vietnam war. In Congress, he led an effort to educate the American public of war crimes that were committed during the Vietnam war. In 1993, he also made history as the first African American chair of the House Armed Services Committee. However, one of Ron Dellums' greatest achievements is one that is also dear to my heart, ending apartheid in South Africa. As a member of the California State Assembly and a national board member of Trans Africa, I had the privilege of working with Ron Dellums to pass legislation at the State and Federal level that forced the United States to divest from apartheid, the regime in South Africa.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. I would like to thank Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Jamie Raskin for organizing a Special Order Hour to honor the memory of our dear friend and former colleague, Congressman Ron Dellums. Ron Dellums was an unabashed, progressive icon, and a strong and outspoken advocate for his constituents, veterans, people of color, and other vulnerable communities during his 13-term tenure in the U.S. Congress. Understanding the unique problems facing the African American community, Ron Dellums joined with 12 fellow civil rights giants, including Louis Stokes, Bill Clay, Sr., and Shirley Chisholm, to create the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971. True to its creed, the CBC remains the `Conscience of the Congress' today, and has grown to a historic 48 members. As a former U.S. Marine, Ron Dellums was one of the most outspoken opponents of the Vietnam War. In Congress, he led an effort to educate the American public of war crimes that were committed during the Vietnam War. In 1993, he also made history as the first African American Chair of the House Armed Services Committee. However, one of Ron Dellum's greatest achievements is one that is also dear to my heart: ending apartheid in South Africa. As a member of the California State Assembly and a national board member of TransAfrica, I had the privilege of working with Ron Dellums to pass legislation at the state and federal level that forced the United States to divest from the apartheid regime in South Africa. While I authored, and fought to enact California Assembly Bill 134, which passed in August 1986 and made California the first state to divest its $12 billion in state pension funds tied to the apartheid regime in South Africa, Ron Dellums was simultaneously championing similar legislation in the U.S. Congress. His historic bill, the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, gained enough support to not only pass in both chambers of Congress, but to also override President Ronald Reagan's veto in 1986. Though he retired from Congress after 27 years of service, Ron Dellums maintained his dedication to his community and was elected mayor of his hometown, Oakland, California, in 2007. The incomparable Ron Dellums--a passionate drum major for peace, inspiring community leader, effective politician, and lifelong public servant--left an indelible mark on the City of Oakland and in the hearts of so many people across this country who also love him. Though our hearts are heavy, I join the Congressional Black Caucus and the entire U.S. Congress in celebrating his service to our nation.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the work of Financial Services Committee Democratic staffer Daniel McGlinchey on the title of this bill pertaining to reforms to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, S. 488 would not have been possible without the hard work of staff. I thank them for their efforts and include in the Record the following names: Katelynn Bradley, Kris Erickson, Eric Hersey, Bruce Johnson, Erika Jeffers, Erica Loewe, Esther Kahng, Marcos Manosalvas, Charla Ouertatani, Lisa Peto, Courtney Robinson, Glen Sears, Katy Strohmeier.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, since the National Flood Insurance Program's multiyear authorization expired on September 30, 2017, ideological differences have led Congress to pass six short-term extensions, and have even allowed the program to briefly lapse twice since the government shutdowns. More than 5 million families rely on the NFIP for affordable flood insurance coverage. Communities rely on the NFIP for flood maps and mitigation assistance, and small businesses rely on the NFIP to pick up the pieces when the inevitable storm hits. Yet, the long-term stability of this critical program continues to fall victim to partisan politics. Mr. Speaker, 2017 was an absolutely catastrophic year in terms of hurricanes and other national disasters. In 2017, for the first time on record, three Category 4 hurricanes made landfall in the United States, serving as painful reminders of the importance of affordable and accessible flood insurance. While Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria may be a distant memory for some, families affected by these storms are still just beginning their long road to recovery, and we continue to learn about the challenges that families in Puerto Rico face with no signs of leadership from the Trump administration. We are here today in the midst of the 2018 hurricane season with no credible plan to do anything differently from the partisan gamesmanship that has brought the NFIP to the brink of a lapse several times already this Congress. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply disappointed that Congress continues to miss opportunities to responsibly help homeowners, businesses, and renters who all need access to affordable flood insurance by taking sensible steps to stabilize flood insurance premiums, deal with the NFIP's debt and invest in up-to-date and accurate flood maps. Instead, the House has passed controversial and ideological reforms that make flood insurance more expensive, less available, and less fair, which is, obviously, going nowhere in the Senate. Given the critical importance of the NFIP to our housing market, I am pleased that we are taking the small step today of reauthorizing the program for 4 months to at least provide some level of certainty to businesses and families, but let us not be fooled into thinking that our work is done. I have led the effort for years to provide long-term reauthorizations of the NFIP that also ensure the affordability and the availability of flood insurance, and I will continue to do so when this latest short-term extension expires in November. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver), who is the ranking member of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee of the Financial Services Committee.

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

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green), who is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations of the Financial Services Committee.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer), who has long pushed for reducing flood risk in this country.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves), who has been a true leader on the National Flood Insurance Program. He comes with a very, very important background. He was chairman of Louisiana's Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. So I am pleased to have worked with him, to have talked with him, and to understand that we need him when we are working on the reforms that we will work on after we pass this bill.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Palazzo), continuing in this bipartisan effort to pass a clean bill. He has long been a champion of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to hear that some of my friends on the opposite side of the aisle are going to cooperate in a reauthorization bill, taking into consideration many of the concerns. I do want you to know that I sent a letter out just July 18, Mr. Speaker, 61 Members signed this letter for reauthorization. I want you to know that I understand that we have differences, and I understand that I am focused on affordability as one of the important aspects of any reauthorization bill. I do know that some on the other side are concerned about how many times flooding will take place where people will have to be reestablished, the homes rebuilt, repairs done, how many times. I know all of that. We know all of that. But we are here now, and we have no choice. We have got to pass this bill this evening. A clear bill that will reauthorize for 4 months, and then let's have Mr. Duffy have another shout out loud about how we are going to do a long-term reauthorization bill when we take up the bill after the 4 months. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I have no more speakers, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the remainder of my time. Mr. Speaker, partisan gamesmanship and harmful reforms passed out of the house stalled the NFIP's long-term reauthorization for long enough. While I would prefer a longer term reauthorization of this important program, I strongly support today's 4-month extension to provide homeowners, businesses, renters, and communities with the certainty they deserve. But make no mistake. This short-term reauthorization does not absolve Congress of its responsibility to reauthorize the flood insurance program for the long term. It is past time for Congress to do its job and pass a long-term reauthorization that will ensure Americans are protected this and every hurricane season to come. Mr. Speaker, flooding is truly a humbling and equalizing force. It brings out the best of America during the worst of times, with everyone putting aside their differences to come together to help one another in our time of need. Now it is time for Congress to do the same thing. We must put partisanship and ideology aside and ensure the continued affordability and availability of coverage for millions of Americans. The long-term reauthorization of the NFIP that ensures affordable flood insurance continues to be available to communities across our country must be Congress' priority when we return from the August recess. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak about the child abuse at the southern border. Three months have passed since the Trump administration announced the zero-tolerance policy that led directly to the humanitarian crisis we now witness today. Three months later and, still, thousands of children remain separated from their families. This week, Federal judges announced a complete, one-week pause on all family deportations, as well as mandatory counseling for traumatized children. The courts seem almost as fed up with this administration as the American people and have set deadlines for the Trump administration to act. The deadline to reunite all remaining separated families is just 6 days away. If the Trump administration fails to meet the deadline for even just one single child, then Congress must hold all those responsible for this national tragedy accountable.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of South African President Nelson Mandela on what would have been his 100th birthday. President Mandela, or ``Mandiba'' as he was affectionately called, was a revolutionary and transformative leader, who forever changed the world through his steadfast dedication to freedom, equality, and human rights. After spending 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela became the first Black South African to be elected President in what was also the first free, multiracial, democratic election in South African history. While President Mandela used his administration to dismantle apartheid, combat institutional racism, and begin the process of racial reconciliation in his country, his efforts also taught the world the power of one man having the fortitude to sacrifice his own ideals for a cause greater than himself. To me, Nelson Mandela is more than a world-renowned hero. I had the distinct honor and privilege of calling him a friend. His leadership of the international antiapartheid movement encouraged me to take action here in the United States, where I served as the Los Angeles chair of the Free South Africa Movement, organized countless antiapartheid rallies in Los Angeles, led a sit-in at the South African Consulate General's office in Los Angeles, and was even arrested during a protest at the Embassy of South Africa in Washington, D.C. I was also a board member of and worked nationally with TransAfrica, one of the most prominent antiapartheid advocacy groups in the United States. As a member of the California State Assembly at that time, I fought for the passage of Assembly Bill 134, which forced California to divest $12 billion in State pension funds tied to the apartheid regime in South Africa. In 1990, I chaired the committee in Los Angeles that brought over 90,000 people together in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to welcome Nelson Mandela into the United States, and I also traveled with the official U.S. delegation to South Africa in 1994 to attend his inauguration as President of South Africa. In 1998, I was honored to welcome President Mandela to the United States once again, this time to receive the United States Congressional Gold Medal. In honor of his 95th birthday in 2013, I organized an event here in Washington, D.C., called the Celebration of the Life, Legacy and Values of Nelson R. Mandela in Emancipation Hall of the United States Capitol Visitor Center. The celebration was attended by my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus, leaders from both the United States House and Senate, and representatives of national and international civil rights and humanitarian groups. As we reflect on Nelson Mandela's memory today, let us remember what he once said: ``What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.'' Few embody this quote better than Nelson Mandela himself, and it is my sincere hope that my own career in public service can live up to his extraordinary example.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Chair, during rollcall Vote No. 342 on the amendment (No. 25) to H.R. 6147 offered by Rep. Raul M. Grijalva of Arizona, I mistakenly recorded my vote as ``no'' when I intended to vote ``aye.'' Amendment No. 27 Offered by Mr. O'Halleran

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bill is an example of true bipartisanship. I want to thank Chairman Hensarling, the members of the Financial Services Committee, and the staff on both sides of the aisle for their work on this legislative package. S. 488, the JOBS and Investor Confidence Act of 2018, is evidence that Democrats and Republicans can come together to strengthen our Nation's small businesses and entrepreneurs, bolster investor confidence, protect consumers, promote financial stability, and counter human and drug trafficking. S. 488 helps small businesses grow by encouraging capital formation and requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to consider unique issues facing rural small businesses and small investment advisers. When entrepreneurs are looking to retire, S. 488 allows them to easily sell their businesses. The bill also requires several rulemakings and studies to encourage small businesses to go public, including by protecting them from excessive underwriting fees. Main Street investors and consumers also benefit from S. 488. One provision, which I authored, cracks down on corporate insiders engaged in illegal insider trading. Democrats also led provisions to enhance disclosures about outsized insider voting power. The bill also creates a task force at the SEC to protect seniors and their financial best interests. Additionally, the bill helps nonprofits, like Habitat for Humanity, continue to extend affordable mortgages to low-income families aspiring to the dream of homeownership. Thanks to Mr. Ellison, the legislation enables millions of Americans with thin credit files to improve and build their credit by allowing alternative types of data, like the on-time payment of rent and utilities, to be included in their credit reports without preempting State law. S. 488 also improves financial stability. The bill directs regulators to improve the calculation for bank capital held to offset risk in the options and derivatives markets so that riskier products are covered by more capital Finally, S. 488 strengthens our government's efforts to stop drug and human trafficking by preventing criminals who engage in these unconscionable acts from accessing the financial system. There are several provisions that we did not reach bipartisan agreement on in time, including reforms to private offerings under regulation D that requires issuers to file disclosures before their first sell and after the termination of the offering. I am pleased that the chairman has offered to continue working on this and other issues with me, and I hope that the Senate has its own chance to make these and other changes. Throughout my work on this legislation, I insisted that nothing could be included that would weaken Dodd-Frank's financial reforms, harm consumers, or provide giveaways to Wall Street. Instead, building on the bipartisan work of the Financial Services Committee, S. 488 includes measures that will help small businesses grow and protect hardworking Americans who entrust their savings to the capital markets. Mr. Speaker, I again thank my colleagues for their strong bipartisan support on this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney), the ranking member of our Capital Markets, Securities, and Investment Subcommittee of the Financial Services Committee, and the leading sponsor and Democratic cosponsor of several of the bills in this package.

Ms. MAXINE WATERS of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. David Scott), a senior member of the Financial Services Committee and the leading Democratic cosponsor of several of the bills in this package.