Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the remarkable career of Carol Brick-Turin. After 12 years, Ms. Brick-Turin is retiring as the executive director of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council. Carol originally moved to Washington, D.C., to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she worked on public policy issues for more than a decade. A graduate of Cornell University with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics, she was recruited to join the Foreign Agricultural Service and served as a diplomat in Brussels, Belgium, in the U.S. Mission to the European Community. She was the first married female to serve as an agricultural attache in the history of the FAS. Carol attended the Foreign Service Institute, completed a study program taught by faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary, and attended the University of Tel Aviv in 1973, both before and after the Yom Kippur War. Having raised her children as Zionists, she now has three grandchildren who were born in Jerusalem, in addition to her two granddaughters in Miami. As the JCRC's executive director, Carol has adroitly mobilized and energized Miami's Jewish community on many levels. She has led our citizen activists in building relationships with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, key to the success of the pro-Israel movement and the national agenda supported by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. We have worked together to address a multitude of issues facing our community, from the surge of anti-Semitism and senseless gun violence plaguing our schools and places of worship to ensuring we maintain our strong U.S.-Israel relationship. Carol's commitment to Miami's Jewish community and the State of Israel is exemplary, and I am proud to call her my very dear friend. I will miss her guidance and wisdom, but our loss is her husband, Alan, and her family's gain. I wish her a hearty mazel tov on her retirement, and I am grateful for her invaluable work and her dear friendship.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, after four, long painful months, Senate Republicans continue to block the House-passed Heroes Act to provide coronavirus relief to the fed-up American people. Since May, thousands more businesses have folded, millions remain jobless, and U.S. deaths doubled to 200,000. Democrats have been negotiating in good faith. We were at $3 trillion for our original Heroes Act. We have asked the Republicans who were at $1 trillion to meet us halfway, and here we are, with them still stuck in the mud, refusing to do what the American people need us to do, to help make sure they can recover from this deadly viral pandemic. Sadly, Republicans think we are being too generous with the American people, so many of whom are struggling to stay healthy amid a global pandemic and pay their bills since the worst recession since the Great Depression. My Governor just let a moratorium on evictions expire. He just reopened the State to 100 percent capacity, as if the virus is not still rampaging through our State. Democrats offered this updated Heroes Act to defeat this virus and put money in the pockets of stressed Americans. It is way past time for Republicans to meet us halfway. This bill improves the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and non-profits and provides billions to local governments and schools. This bill funds testing and tracing, provides $1,200 in direct payments to Americans, extends $600--not $400--of Federal unemployment payments, and extends the vital Payroll Support Program for airline workers, thousands of whom were laid off starting today. It also funds daycare, spreads Affordable Care Act coverage, and bolsters housing and food assistance, while protecting our elections by strengthening the Census and the Postal Service. It does not go as far as Democrats would like--that is because we are here to compromise, because we know the American people need us to do that--but it goes a long way to offer what Americans desperately need right now. Republicans need to stop standing in the way of relief and come to the table so that we can send home a package that is going to take care of the American people in this dire time.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today to support my bill, the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act Reauthorization, or the EARLY Act. I do want to start by thanking Chairman Pallone and Ranking Member Walden, as well as my Republican co-lead, Congresswoman Susan Brooks. I deeply appreciate their advocacy and assistance shepherding this bill through the Energy and Commerce Committee. I also thank Senators Klobuchar and Crapo for sponsoring the Senate version of this important bipartisan reauthorization bill. The EARLY Act, which I first introduced in 2009, became law in 2010 as part of the Affordable Care Act. The inspiration for this bill was born from my own battle against breast cancer at the age of 41. That was 13 years ago. It is hard to believe. I was a young woman at high risk, but I didn't know it. I was aware enough to know the right questions to ask and to understand the steps that were necessary in my treatment. But many young women, Madam Speaker, are not aware that they possess genetic or other factors that expose them to higher risk of getting breast cancer. And when it strikes them, they and even their doctors are often unprepared to deal with this terrible diagnosis. But knowledge is power, and it can also be lifesaving, too. The earlier that breast cancer cases are identified, the better the chances are of survival. That is exactly why, after surviving 15 months of surgeries and treatment, I introduced the EARLY Act--in order to fill this major gap in our healthcare system. We could not then and cannot now afford to be silent about these specific risks and how they impact certain communities, not when so many lives are on the line. Breast cancer is a disease that knows no boundaries. It strikes women from all backgrounds, races and ethnicities, the rich and the poor, the old and the young. About one in eight women, as the ranking member and the chairman have said, will get breast cancer in their lifetime. About 11 percent of all new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45 years of age. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women under 40 and breast cancer in younger women tends to be more aggressive. Each year, approximately 70,000 women age 15 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer in the United States. Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in this age group. Nearly 80 percent of young women diagnosed with breast cancer find their breast abnormality themselves. Additionally, certain ethnic groups, including Ashkenazi Jews--my ethnic origin--and African-American young women have an increased risk of breast cancer. Black women are exposed to a greater risk because systemic racism has limited their access to preventive care. I am proud that the bill before us today not only reauthorizes the program, but also increases the authorized funding level for breast cancer education and awareness programs. The bill allows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to continue administering its crucial education and outreach campaign that highlights breast cancer risks facing young women, including campaigns specifically for African-American and Jewish women. The EARLY Act is designed to help educate healthcare providers on the specific threats and warning signs of breast cancer in younger women. This education can often lead to early detection, diagnosis, and survival. The bill also aids organizations that support young women diagnosed with breast cancer and, further, helps them overcome the unique challenges that we face, including dealing with the social and psychological stress that comes with a cancer diagnosis for far longer in our lifetimes. The EARLY Act has already benefited women. Mortality rates from breast cancer have dropped in the past 10 years, in large part due to early detection. After 10 years of successful implementation, it is now time to again reauthorize the EARLY Act and increase funding to ensure we can reach more young women and healthcare providers across the country. At a time when people with preexisting conditions across the country are at greater risk, prevention and awareness can be the difference between life and death. Not knowing can kill you. Not being aware of the importance of paying attention to your breast health can be life ending and life altering. As a public servant and a cancer survivor, it has become my life's mission to help women, especially younger women and women at higher risk, like I was without knowing it, to better advocate on behalf of themselves and their breast health. Madam Speaker, I thank and encourage my colleagues to support this urgent and lifesaving legislation.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to recognize the remarkable career of Carol Brick-Turin. After 12 years, Ms. Brick-Turin is retiring as the Executive Director of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Jewish Community Relations Council. Carol originally moved to Washington, D.C. to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where she worked on public policy issues for more than a decade. A graduate of Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural economics, she was recruited to join the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), and served as a diplomat in Brussels, Belgium in the U.S. Mission to the European Community. She was the first married female to serve as an Agricultural Attache in the history of FAS. Carol attended the Foreign Service Institute, completed a study program taught by faculty of the Jewish Theological Seminary and attended the University of Tel-Aviv in 1973--both before and after the Yom Kippur War. Having raised her children as Zionists, she now has three grandchildren who were born in Jerusalem, in addition to her two granddaughters in Miami. As the JCRC's Executive Director Carol has adroitly mobilized and engaged Miami's Jewish community on many levels. She has led our citizen activists in building relationships with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, key to the success of the pro-Israel movement and the national agenda supported by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. We have worked together to address a multitude of issues facing our community--from the scourge of anti-Semitism and senseless gun violence plaguing our schools and places of worship to ensuring we maintain our strong U.S.-Israel relationship. Carol's commitment to Miami's Jewish community and the state of Israel is exemplary, and I am proud to call her my very good friend. I will miss her guidance and wisdom, but our loss is her husband Alan and her family's gain. I wish her a hearty Mazel Tov on her retirement and am grateful for her invaluable work.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise to support passage of the continuing resolution, but I am frustrated that we find ourselves here yet again. Yet again, the Democratic House did its job. We passed our bills to fund most Federal agencies in July. It is now September. The end of the fiscal year is in 8 days, but Leader McConnell and the Republican Senate have not moved a single one of the 12 appropriations bills that we are supposed to pass every year. As an Appropriations subcommittee chair, I feel compelled to call out this gross dereliction of duty. A CR is obviously not ideal. But the bill before us today keeps government functioning and includes fixes to facilitate coronavirus relief, which we should have done completely separately and more significantly. The bill allows the Small Business Administration to continue to process disaster loans, which are a lifeline for many struggling small businesses. It allows FEMA access to fiscal year 2021 funding for the Disaster Relief Fund, to allow them to respond to emergencies and natural disasters. I am particularly proud that we increase funding for the Veterans Electronic Health Record Modernization to support the increased number of deployments of the modernized system at planned sites going into fiscal year 2021, ensuring the 10-year modernization remains on schedule and on budget. Notably, the bill also includes legislation to prevent USCIS employees from being furloughed and allow the agency to continue doing its job: adjudicating applications for work visas, asylum, and citizenship, even if that job has been greatly hindered by Trump and his enablers. The bill also includes reporting requirements to ensure accountability. Democrats also worked hard all day today in order to secure $8 billion in vital funding for nutrition assistance. It is absurd that we even had to fight to get Republicans to agree to an expansion of free meals for food-insecure children, but here we are. Madam Speaker, finally, let's be clear. The fact that we are passing a CR without having already passed an additional COVID stimulus bill represents cruelty and gross incompetence of the highest order. In May, the House passed the HEROES Act. We did our job. We need to keep the government open, but we also need additional COVID relief for the American people.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. People of faith and across the ideological spectrum recognize that prioritizing the health and safety of pregnant workers should not be a partisan issue. It is past time for workplaces to accommodate our families and protect pregnant workers. They are the ones who keep our economy and communities running. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this long overdue legislation.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bipartisan proposal that finally secures clear protections for pregnant workers. In the year 2020, Federal protections for pregnant workers are stuck in the 1950s. Current law does not explicitly guarantee all pregnant workers the right to reasonable accommodations so they can work without jeopardizing their pregnancies. Reasonable accommodations like a glass of water or a place to sit. These are sensible and, quite frankly, simple requests. I was pregnant with my twins and then again with my youngest daughter when I served in the State legislature. While there were obstacles, I could ask for accommodations and did so without fear, but it was still a struggle to secure them, even for a State legislator. Unfortunately, this is the case for many pregnant workers. We know that COVID-19 has only exacerbated health inequalities for women, especially women of color. In fact, the most common low-paid jobs for women, like nurses and home health aides, are on the pandemic front lines. Pregnant women across this country are literally putting their lives on the line. Yet, too often, instead of providing a pregnant worker with an accommodation routinely given to other workers, her employer will fire her, depriving her of a paycheck and health insurance at a time when she needs them most. Pregnant workers must never have to choose between maintaining a healthy pregnancy and losing their jobs, especially now when both their health and economic security are crucial. The demand for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act even stretches across religious, ideological and party lines. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a letter on behalf of faith- based organizations in support of this vital legislation. September 11, 2020. Dear Representative: On behalf of the undersigned religious and faith-based organizations representing a diversity of faith traditions and communities across the nation, we write today in support of healthy workplace environments and conditions for pregnant workers. We urge you to pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694). People of faith across the ideological spectrum understand that prioritizing the health and safety of pregnant workers should not be a partisan issue. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would ensure that pregnant workers can continue safely working to support their families during a pregnancy. The bill requires employers to make the same sort of accommodations for pregnant workers as are already in place for workers with disabilities. Our faith traditions affirm the dignity of pregnant individuals and the moral imperative of ensuring their safety. We also affirm the dignity of work and the obligation to treat workers justly. It is immoral for an employer to force a worker to choose between a healthy pregnancy and earning a living. By passing the bipartisan Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694), Congress will ensure that workers who arc pregnant will be treated fairly in the workforce and can continue earning income to support themselves and their families. Efforts to distract from the central goal of ensuring pregnant workers can maintain their health and the health of their pregnancies by inserting unnecessary, harmful, and politically divisive language into this bill undermines our obligation to protect pregnant workers across our country. While many pregnant individuals continue working throughout their pregnancies without incident, there are instances when minor accommodations are necessary at the workplace to ensure the safety of the expecting mother and the baby. All too often, requests for simple workplace accommodations like a stool to sit, a water bottle, or a bathroom break are denied. Within the COVID-19 context, such critical accommodations might include proper protective equipment, telework, or staggered work schedules that offer employees commute times which avoid crowded public transportation and increased exposure. Currently, pregnant workers may continue to work without necessary accommodations because they fear losing their jobs and need the income, thus endangering their health or the health of their pregnancy. Without these protections, it is not uncommon for pregnant workers to be let go or forced out onto unpaid leave for requesting accommodations. Many others must quit their job to avoid risking the health of their pregnancy. Passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a moral and economic imperative; two-thirds of women who had their first child between 2006 and 2008 worked during pregnancy, and 88 percent of these first-time mothers worked into their last trimester. Keeping these women healthy and in the workforce is paramount to family economic security. Nearly 25 million mothers with children under 18 are in the workforce, making up nearly 1 in 6 of all workers. And about 3 in 4 mothers in the workforce are working full time. Millions of families rely on their earnings. In 2017, 41 percent of mothers were the sole or primary breadwinners in their families, while 23.2 percent of mothers were co-breadwinners. Whole families suffer when pregnant workers are forced out of a job. The undersigned religious and faith-based groups are united in support of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. We strongly urge you to vote for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and to vote against any motion to recommit that may be offered. Sincerely, the undersigned: Ameinu, Arizona Jews for Justice, Aytzim: Ecological Judaism, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Catholic Labor Network, Church World Service, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces, Faith Action Network, Faith Action Network--Washington State, Franciscan Action Network, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Keshet, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action. Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Boston, Jewish Women International, Justice Revival, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, National Council of Churches, National Council of Jewish Women, Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Pax Christi USA, T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries, Union for Reform Judaism, Uri L'Tzedek, Women of Reform Judaism.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise to support the Delivering for America Act, to protect a pillar of our democracy and fortify a lifeline so many Americans count on. This bill would provide urgently needed Postal Service funding and bar its leaders from compromising its services during this COVID-19 crisis. We all know the motto: ``Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.'' But, of course, no one foresaw that any American President would willingly crowbar our mail system to sway an election. So the Delivering for America Act will safeguard our democracy from any Presidential subversion. This legislation will also allow our mail carriers to do their job by ensuring overtime and proper equipment are available. It will make sure intentional service delays are avoided so our seniors get their Social Security checks and prescriptions. It defends our veterans, who count on this noble occupation for work and rely on the postal system to deliver their medicine. My State, Florida, just completed a primary where nearly 60 percent of the counted ballots arrived by mail. Savvy seniors and residents reeling from a summer of viral outbreaks wanted the safety that only mail-in balloting provided. This year, our country saw half a million primary ballots rejected, and a main reason they get tossed is due to postal delays. These brave frontline workers are delivering goods amid a pandemic, and it has taken its toll on their workforce. So in a State like Florida, known for its razor-thin Presidential elections, we can't afford to have 59 sorting machines left on the sidelines. Blocking postal employees from overtime is not an option, especially when it may hold up hundreds of ballots that decide the Presidency. The Delivering for America Act helps defend our democracy from the hypocrisy of a President who casts mail-in ballots himself one day, then tries to meddle in our neighbor's mailbox the next. Don't mess with the USPS. Pass this good bill.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, it is with great joy that I rise to recognize a very special birthday for a beloved constituent of Florida's 23rd Congressional District. Mrs. Evelyn Williams celebrates her 105th birthday on August 2, 2020. Mrs. Williams is a resident of Dania Beach and has spent a long life as a pioneer and community leader. Born in 1915, she has witnessed over a century of development and societal evolution. Mrs. Williams was born in Mosely Town, Georgia and raised in neighboring Vidalia. She and her husband Alonzo Williams moved to Coconut Grove, Florida in 1935. Mrs. Williams served as a Sunday School teacher, Deaconess, and as a Mission Society representative, regularly visiting ailing and elderly people in the neighborhood and local nursing home. Her contributions to her church are matched by her quiet but encouraging influence in the community. She financially supported many young people in the area in pursuing their college education and professional goals. She served in the Broward Civic Improvement Association--a community service organization active in Dania Beach-- during the 1950s and 1960s. Mrs. Williams has also been commended for serving Broward County as a dedicated poll worker for more than 50 years, registering voters and carrying the message that voting is a responsibility and privilege. She has been recognized by both the Dania Beach Historical Society and Broward County Historical Commission as a Broward County Pioneer. She remains an active member of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church and I am grateful to the New Jerusalem family for coming together so we may all celebrate this special occasion. It is with great pride that I represent Mrs. Evelyn Williams and the residents of Dania Beach in our nation's capital. I thank Mayor Lori Lewellen, the Members of the City Commission, and the city staff for protecting the wellbeing of our residents and for working tirelessly to make the City of Dania Beach a wonderful place to live, work, visit, and raise a family.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support passage of the House's second package of appropriations bill for fiscal year 2021 as a proud member of the Appropriations Committee and chair of an appropriations subcommittee. The defense division of the bill will safeguard our national security and give our troops a much-needed pay raise. I appreciate the inclusion of language to expedite replacement of PFAS firefighting foams and funding to study their health implications. The bill also supports research for metastatic cancer and encourages clinical trials that affect the demographics of our population. The Commerce-Justice-Science division includes language from my PACE Act, which I introduced with Congressman Alcee Hastings. Our legislation seeks to disrupt the distrust and improve communication between police and communities of color. I am also proud that my colleague, Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, and I secured $8 million for the Matthew Shepard hate crime investigation and prosecution grant program that was previously authorized and will now be funded for the first time. The bill addresses the growing problem of online child exploitation by carving out $40 million for Internet Crimes Against Children task forces. Funding is also included to research coral reef disease and harmful algal blooms, two significant problems for sea life in the State of Florida. I am particularly proud of the Energy and Water division, as a member of that subcommittee. The bill funds Everglades restoration projects at a historic $250 million, a major bipartisan achievement. I am also grateful for the inclusion of a fix to cut red tape that has delayed Everglades restoration projects and will allow them to begin. To protect our investment, the bill includes language that I wrote to block oil drilling in the Florida Everglades. I am encouraged that this bill provides increases for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and ARPA-E. I am glad that the Financial Services division includes $500 million for election security grants for States to fight foreign intervention because, apparently, the President isn't interested in doing that. The report also includes language to improve postal security, which affected my office as well as the offices of Congresswoman Maxine Waters and numerous other leaders after a failed bombing attempt, an incident that raised serious postal security concerns. I am also pleased that the bill includes funding for pool safety grants that address swimming pool drownings, the number one cause of accidental death for young children in this country. Next, the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education division includes vital funding for EARLY Act activities, an initiative I passed to promote breast cancer awareness for young and at-risk women. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 41 years old, and I am proud to say that I am now approaching my 13th year as a survivor, and I appreciate the opportunity to make sure we can educate more young women and women at higher risk of their risk of breast cancer so they pay attention to their breast health. Additionally, the bill includes support for Holocaust survivors, who face countless obstacles as they age. Further, the bill protects unaccompanied migrant children by ensuring Members of Congress can visit child detention facilities with no prior notice--important accountability provisions. Language similar to my Families, Not Facilities Act was included to help unaccompanied migrant youth find sponsors. Finally, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development division provides investments in our transportation infrastructure and housing programs. I am glad to see $60 million for housing homeless veterans who have given so much for this country. I applaud the inclusion of provisions throughout the minibus to assert our authority as a coequal branch of government by prohibiting funds from being stolen by the President to pay for any border wall, which would be grossly irresponsible. I thank my fellow subcommittee chairs and, once again, thank Chairwoman Lowey as she retires from the Appropriations Committee, and their intrepid staff for the hard work that went into producing this minibus that takes care of the many needs people of all backgrounds face in this country. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of the bill.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this important legislation authored by my friend and colleague, Congresswoman Wilson. Since serving on Miami-Dade's School Board and seeing too many young Black men drop out of school with lifelong repercussions, Congresswoman Wilson has worked tirelessly to intervene. She single-handedly began the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a highly successful mentorship and leadership program that continues to transform countless young Black men's lives. In the wake of George Floyd's murder, millions of voices have demanded justice and a dismantling of the oppressive systems that harmed Black men for generations. In America, Black children are three times more likely to be born in poverty than White children. School districts where the majority of those enrolled are students of color receive billions less than mostly White districts, while disciplinary policies in classes disproportionately impact Black students. After school, Black male unemployment is consistently almost double that of their White counterparts. Black men represent 12 percent of the population but approximately 33 percent of the prison population. This legislation makes righting these wrongs a priority by creating this national commission to recommend major changes to policy to dramatically improve the lives of Black men and boys. Congresswoman Frederica Wilson has made this her life's work. She has literally carried thousands of young men on her shoulders to success. As we honor the legacy of John Lewis, there is no more appropriate tribute than to pass this bill and continue the long march toward racial equality.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Golden for his extraordinary military service to our country and for his leadership on this urgent issue. Madam Speaker, no veteran should be forced to choose between seeking care away from loved ones or forgoing treatment altogether. I applaud my friend for his tireless advocacy for local mental health services for veterans in the VA appropriations bill. I look forward to continuing to work together to prioritize greater accessibility to these vital mental health services to veterans. Madam Speaker, I wish the gentleman a happy birthday this Saturday.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding, and I stand here in support of her courage. I rise to remind every man and woman on this floor that we were sent to Washington to destroy hostile work environments, not build them. Few women here, or watching, have not felt a man's bullying breath or menacing finger in our face as we were told exactly what our place was at work. I certainly saw and felt it as a 20-something lawmaker and had a highly public, similar experience here in the Halls of Congress as a 30-something Member, once again, from a then-Florida Member of Congress. That former Member was just elected as the Chair of the Republican Party of Texas, by the way; so bullies continue advancing unchecked. Today, we take a stand for my colleague and friend, Ms. Ocasio- Cortez, and all women who endure this archaic behavior. Today, we take a stand and say enough is enough. Sadly, most capitols, including this one, endure this archaic behavior, and we must stand shoulder to shoulder to say that today is the last day that we will tolerate it. Sadly, most capitols, including this one, are still undeniably boys' clubs, but women have critical numbers now, my friends, and all of us, women and men, have had it with bullies. The Halls of Congress are not middle school playgrounds. We have serious business to do. People across the country are sick, dying, unemployed, and facing eviction; yet, misogyny was this Member's highest priority messaging. Unbelievable. I guess really not unbelievable. It is a new day, gentlemen, and I use that term loosely with some cases. So just to reminder for those who still want to wield the workplace tool of intimidation, your time is up. To my sisters on this floor, and listening at home, to my daughters, listening at home, we must not let those who may be intimidated by our strength scare us away. I am proud of and proud to stand by my colleague and friend, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez today.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I would like to take a moment to address Congresswoman Miller and Congressman King's amendments in the en bloc. Their amendments would strike provisions of the bill that block the administration from diverting funds from critical military construction projects to the border wall. The bill also prohibits the administration from backfilling projects in fiscal years 2016 to 2020 that were previously canceled for construction of the border wall, and the amendments strike that provision as well. Stealing military construction funds from the intended purpose has a direct impact on military readiness, compromises our national security, and the safety and welfare of servicemembers and their families. Thirty percent of the Department of Defense infrastructure, according to the Department of Defense, is in poor or failing condition. The military construction funds provided and approved by Congress were intended for specific projects as requested by the services. To support these two amendments is to declare that catering to xenophobia is more important than making sure we have the best fighting force in the world. The amendments in question seek to grant the President the power of a monarch and allow him to steal funding from our troops and bypass Congress at will. I thought Mexico was supposed to pay for the border wall. Instead, these amendments ask our heroes in uniform to pay for it. We have to take a stand against that, and we do that in this bill. We stand up for our troops. These amendments steal from our troops. I ask my colleagues to vote against the en bloc amendment.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York, Chairwoman Lowey, for yielding and for all of her hard work and leadership during this process and for her distinguished years of service. I am sad this is the last time that we will do this together, but I am so appreciative of her leadership and mentorship of me personally. I will truly, truly miss her. Mr. Speaker, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies division of the bill highlights our continued commitment to our servicemembers and their families and to our veterans. Constructing the barracks, bases, and facilities that our military needs is crucial to our country's military readiness. Properly funding the Department of Veterans Affairs is how we deliver on the promise of medical care and other benefits that our veterans have earned through service to our Nation. The related agencies, including the American Battle Monuments Commission and Arlington National Cemetery, demonstrate to the world how we honor the sacrifices of those who served. That is why I am proud this bill includes $115.5 billion in discretionary funding, which is a $5.1 billion increase above the enacted fiscal year 2020 funding level and $2.3 billion above the President's budget request. For Military Construction, we provided $10.1 billion, rejecting the President's proposed cut of $3.6 billion below the current level for critical infrastructure needs on military installations. This includes $439.5 million for the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program, which is $297 million above the request, and $1.49 billion for family housing construction, which is $135 million above the request, as well. We added these resources in order to fund critical oversight to address unacceptable conditions in military family housing, like mold, vermin, and lead. Mr. Speaker, $200 million is provided to clean up PFOS and PFOA contamination at previously closed installations. The bill also includes a new provision to prohibit military construction projects on installations named for Confederate officers until a process is initiated to rename those bases. No servicemember should live or train on a base named for a person who betrayed America's pursuit of a more perfect Union. For the VA, this bill provides a total of $240.2 billion, including mandatory spending; $104.8 billion is discretionary funding. This amount represents an increase of $12.3 billion above the fiscal year 2020 enacted level. The $90 billion within this total for VA medical care fully funds the budget request. I am proud that this bill will improve the quality of veterans' healthcare through significant investments in women's veterans' health, the ``whole health'' model, mental health and suicide prevention, homelessness assistance, rural health, and opioid abuse prevention. We also finally achieved consensus with the Senate that the cost of VA healthcare cannot remain within the budget caps. So $12.5 billion within the overall total of $104.8 billion for VA programs is designated as emergency funding to adequately fund VA healthcare for its more than 7.2 million patients. The bill boosts funding for VA research by 5 percent over the fiscal year 2020 enacted level to support the important work studying rare cancers and prosthetics for women veterans, just to name a few. It also provides funding for infrastructure improvements to ensure the VA has modern, safe facilities to treat our veterans, as well as supports continued implementation of the Electronic Health Record Modernization implementation and efforts to reduce the disability claims backlog. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of what this bill does, but I am equally proud of what it does not do. It does not fund the border wall, nor does it allow the President to bypass congressional intent and divert vital military construction funding from previously approved national security projects in support of an ineffective, unnecessary barrier. We cannot allow Presidential bigotry and xenophobia to be prioritized over American lives, our servicemembers, or our national security. Mr. Speaker, I thank my ranking member, subcommittee partner, Judge Carter, and Ranking Member Granger. We worked very well together. And while we may not always agree on these issues, we are agreeable, and I am proud to have them as partners and friends and truly appreciate their insights. I also thank the staff of both the subcommittee and in our personal offices, whose expertise and commitment to our servicemembers and our veterans is evident every day. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill, it is a strong bill, and, most importantly, it does right by our servicemembers, their families, and our veterans. I also would briefly discuss a few of our accomplishments in the other divisions of this minibus. The Agriculture division supports our Nation's farmers, strongly invests in lifesaving nutrition programs, like WIC and SNAP, and blocks Trump's cruel SNAP regulations. The bill also includes funding and language to strengthen the regulation of e-cigarettes to break the epidemic of nicotine addiction that is gripping our Nation's youth. The Interior division protects our invaluable public lands, invests in climate resilience, and helps us restore our crumbling infrastructure, like the sewage failures in Fort Lauderdale. And I am particularly pleased that the bill includes language I requested that would block offshore drilling in any new area, including Florida's coastlines. Finally, the State and Foreign Operations division empowers women by increasing funding for international family planning and health programs. The bill expands aid for those struggling within Venezuela and for the refugees fleeing the economic collapse and oppression of the Maduro regime, and it ensures our ally, Israel, can defend herself, which is critical to our national security. Mr. Speaker, I personally thank our incredible staff: Lisa Molyneux, our clerk; Jennifer Hollrah; Sarah Young; Nicole Cohen; Keihysha Cenord; Lauren Wolman, on my personal staff; Michael Harris on my personal staff; and, of course, Shalanda Young, our intrepid clerk of our full committee, and the entire front office staff as well. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this spending package, and I thank everyone for their hard work.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, few of us will ever leave the mark on history and every human we encounter the way our dear friend Congressman John Lewis did. His profound generosity and goodness was so beautifully balanced by his courageous, unyielding demands for justice. I saw it as we sat-in on this House floor demanding gun safety reforms after the Pulse nightclub shooting. I saw it as young and old met him, sensed his moral bearing, and he patiently made each one the world's most important person in that moment. We saw it plain as day as he bravely crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge to confront America's racist sins, knowing that batons and beatings blocked the pathway to justice. I saw it when he traveled to my district, and the outpouring of joy and reverence overflowed for this truly good man. And I saw it when he took the time, 5 seconds of his time, in that room off the House floor, when he recorded a campaign video to help my then high school-age daughter win her student government campaign, which she did. That is a memory that she will treasure--and does treasure--throughout her life. His lifetime of ``good trouble'' is a model for us all, especially now as we must carry on his work of racial justice. The more perfect Union John Lewis lived in and risked his life for is what our Founders expressed but did not necessarily exemplify and one that future leaders must aspire to. His courage and generosity are strengths we must all draw upon now. Rest in power, my friend.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, but it would also elevate that site so that millions of Americans might turn our collective pain into collective action. In passing this bill, I hope visitors the world over will be inspired by a community that emphatically declared that love and hope will always triumph over prejudice and violence.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to commend Congressman Soto, Congresswoman Demings, and the gentlewoman from Florida (Congresswoman Murphy), who is in the Chair, on this incredibly important legislation. I traveled to attend a memorial service in the aftermath of the tragedy at Orlando's Pulse gay nightclub to mourn with the stunned community how the confluence of bigotry and weapons of war conspired to steal 49 innocent lives. I remember the feeling of numbness and agony. It was so hard to grasp that in 2016, visitors to Pulse that night suffered a violence that far too often plagues LGBTQ-plus communities and communities of color, but this time on a mass scale. They were targeted for who they were. Out for the evening, they assumed it was safe to be themselves, to live their truths, and yet their precious lives were snuffed out. But in this darkest of moments, Floridians opened their arms to embrace and heal one another. They vocally denounced bigotry, whether it was aimed at our LGBTQ-plus or Hispanic communities, or too often both. They would not stay silent. Even public figures who were not always clear LGBTQ-plus allies stood up and made a commitment to equality. It was an encouraging moment of solidarity amidst such tragedy. Most Floridians responded by drawing closer than ever before. Two years later, my community endured similar heartache and anger when 17 students and educators were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Days after that horrific school shooting, I was in Orlando and visited Pulse, where spontaneous messages of love and sadness were left behind. As I added my message to the thousands hanging on banners there, I saw Pulse was not simply a site of tragedy and pain. It was a hallowed place to remember and honor all the individuals who were lost. But it was also now a public space affirming that equality, justice, and love are worth rallying to and fighting for. Making Pulse a national memorial would, most importantly, properly honor those we lost way too soon.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, today, we take a crucial step toward racial justice. We do it in the name of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Corey Jones, and all of those lives unjustly taken by law enforcement. We mourn and say their names on the House floor because their lives and all Black lives matter. So let's move to end the policing culture that lacks real transparency and accountability. Let us unite to ban barbaric chokeholds and build the national misconduct registry so problematic police don't just move to another town to keep a badge. Let's outlaw racial profiling, qualified immunity for rights- violating police, and dangerous no-knock warrants. This bill targets bad actors and practices and affirms the standards professional law enforcement set for themselves, including a duty to serve and protect. Half-measures are not acceptable, not when men and women are killed because of their skin color. Let's seize this moment to dismantle the centuries of institutional racism embedded in our justice system. By the way, in response to what the gentleman on the other side of the aisle said about an American solution for an American problem, it doesn't get more American than making sure that justice is meted out fairly and without regard to one's skin color. Let us all bend the arc toward justice by voting for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support our best hope to prevent long-term economic damage and preserve a strong recovery. The Great Depression taught us long ago: do too little now and millions of temporary job losses will not vanish for years. With nearly 90,000 dead and 36 million out of work, any half-hearted coronavirus response is a cowardly retreat. The HEROES Act is a bold response. It lays out a safe, scientific path to reopen America through vital testing, tracing, and treatment. It supports State and local governments, provides hazard pay, and puts more money in workers' and families' pockets. I am proud this bill prevents veterans from being burdened with co- pays or cost-sharing for COVID-19 preventative treatment or services and includes critical protections for VA healthcare professionals. These heroes need help just like the ones we count on now: first responders; healthcare and postal workers; teachers; sanitation, transit, and food service workers. We need bold action now to keep America standing. If we don't act, it will cost a whole lot more to pick this Nation up off the ground later. By the way, I find it rich that the previous gentleman actually had the nerve and the audacity to quote Maya Angelou. She is rolling over in her grave and certainly would support this bill.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise to honor the life of my dear friend and constituent, Renee Kapchuk Grutman. For decades, Ms. Grutman served as a fierce advocate for Broward County's children. Renee found her life-long home in our public schools and was an educational and PTA superstar at her core. She faithfully and voluntarily served in numerous PTA council board positions and worked vigorously in pursuit of the optimum educational experience for every Broward County public school student. The word ``no'' was not in Renee's vocabulary. She helped plan, fund, and organize every council event including trainings, meetings, awards banquets, conventions, student programs, and holidays to name a few. She was affectionately known as The Partnership Queen, using her can- do spirit and infectious optimism to secure partnerships, funding, and assistance for school activities--activities that would not been possible if not for Renee's passion, determination, and support. She was a champion in every sense of the word. Renee was a dear friend who embodied the best of what it means to give back to your community. She was a selfless, compassionate, and a tireless advocate for others and will be profoundly missed but never forgotten. My heart is with her children, grandchildren, and all her extended family.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I, along with Representative Deutch, rise to honor the life of our dear friend, Florida State Representative Kristin Jacobs. We were heartbroken to learn of her passing and join Floridians in mourning this tremendous loss to Broward County and the state of Florida. Representative Jacobs began her career in public service on the Broward County Commission, eventually serving as Mayor in 2012. She served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2014 until her passing on April 11, 2020. She was a groundbreaking environmental leader and fierce protector of Florida's lakes, streams, and oceans. She spearheaded the development of the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Compact, created the Broward Water and Climate Academy, and during her term as Mayor, was selected to serve on President Obama's Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience. Representative Jacobs fought her illness just as she fought for our community--with determination, resilience, and grace. She was smart and tough and stood up for her beliefs, always backing them with facts and data. Even while she underwent chemotherapy treatment for cancer, she remained an active member of the Florida State Legislature, serving her constituents from her hospital bed. Kristin was the most genuine, decent, caring, and effervescent person. She was a loyal, real, and true friend, and we will miss her deeply. Our hearts are with her three children, three grandchildren, and all her extended family. May her memory be a blessing.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, healthcare workers and small businesses are struggling to stay alive. That is why Democrats fought to ensure hospitals and Main Street get this jolt of relief. We walled off billions in new Paycheck Protection Program funds for smaller community banks and credit unions so Wall Street doesn't vacuum it all up. Let's face it: If healthcare workers cannot safely protect us, America's economy stops. So Democrats secured $75 billion for healthcare providers and $25 billion more for testing. Without mass testing, we can not fully reopen, and we end up voting for endless relief packages. Without Democrats' push for truly small businesses, big business would have continued to cut the line. We will rescue schools and local governments in CARES Act 2. Right now, this is the adrenaline shot that the healthcare system needs.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, as a proud Floridian, I rise to protect our workers, health professionals, small businesses, and veterans from this grave crisis we face. Senate Republicans drafted a corporate-friendly bill that failed to meaningfully support the millions who are losing their jobs. Instead, Democrats secured a package that invests $2 trillion in families, hospitals, and small businesses. Workers will get massive investments in unemployment benefits and an added 13 weeks of benefits, which Republicans fought to deny. Working-class families will get as much as $3,400 for a family of four. Small businesses will get help to make payroll, rent, and utility costs. I am proud that the Appropriations Committee spearheaded nearly $20 billion to ensure veterans' health needs are met, whether at the VA or local ERs and clinics. Appropriators have also worked to ensure our VAs can assist our local communities if they reach full capacity. This package is not perfect, and more help will be needed. But our families, small businesses, and hospitals need this help desperately. I ask my colleagues to give them this lifeline against this invisible enemy. We are all in this together.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, today we finally comprehensively address America's resurgent youth nicotine epidemic. In 2019 more than 5.3 million middle and high school students used e- cigarettes, double the number who reported vaping just 2 years before. It is no surprise when flavors like gummy bear and cotton candy are used to lure children to e-cigarettes. And the aggressive digital marketing aimed at minors, like the campaigns Juul admitted to running, obviously work. But this Republican administration failed to holistically address this issue. Worse, they caved to Big Tobacco by embracing a woefully inadequate flavor ban. So this bill does just what this administration refused to; it bans flavors and proactively combats this epidemic. I am grateful to Chairman Pallone for including language from my legislation, the PROTECT Act, that directs the CDC to implement a successful--like the anti-tobacco youth campaign was--youth anti-vaping education and prevention campaign. That is vital because if a child never starts vaping, we keep them off this perilous path to nicotine addiction. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill to stand up to Big Tobacco and to protect the health of young people.