Congressional Record, October 21, 2021, from Page H5770 — House

Summary

Congressional Record, House, October 21, 2021 (beginning at page H5770). The page opens with the end of a tribute to Memorial Baptist Church and Pastor Gardner in Harlem. Under Recognizing Albert Edward Pelham, Sherrill honors a community leader and student advocate from Montclair, New Jersey, and describes the creation of Project Oasis. Under We Cannot Allow an Individual to Undermine Democracy, Jackson Lee discusses a resolution recommending that the House of Representatives find Stephen K. Bannon in contempt of Congress. Under Investments to Build Back Better, Leger Fernandez speaks about the Build Back Better agenda and rural communities.

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“Congressional Record, October 21, 2021, from Page H5770 — House.” Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-10-21-crec-2021-10-21-pt1-pgh5770-3-667594b591/, SHA-256 86f4638c4c4f856fe5d4ab9a32eab85ad00487cf3d11571cca5feac5dbd73b60.

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H5770 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 21, 2021
is no stranger to shattering glass ceil- commitment to making Montclair a There was no objection.
ings and paving the way for the next better place will not soon be forgotten. Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr.
generation of cleric leaders. I was honored to have known Al and to Speaker, we are here today to talk
Under her guiding principle of unity, have called him my friend. The counsel about the importance of this historic
hope, and grace, Memorial Baptist he gave me and so many others over moment indeed, this historic moment
Church has proven vital to the the years will continue to impact us of where we will be investing—invest-
strength and resiliency of Harlem, and and the entire Montclair community ing in our children, investing in our
we are forever indebted. for generations to come. planet, investing in our future. We are
With Pastor Gardner at the helm, I f talking about the Build Back Better
trust that this work is only the begin- agenda.
ning, and the Memorial Baptist Church WE CANNOT ALLOW AN INDI-
I want to begin by talking about my
will continue their mission of uplifting VIDUAL TO UNDERMINE DEMOC-
district, which is made up of beau-
our community’s most vulnerable and RACY
tifully diverse rural communities. My
ingraining the spirit of strength into (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was district is the size of Pennsylvania, but
the fabric of our neighborhood. given permission to address the House my communities in this district are
f for 1 minute.) rich in culture and rich in love. You
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I know what? They have also been his-
RECOGNIZING ALBERT EDWARD rise today to be able to further defend
PELHAM torically left behind with little invest-
and add to my statement regarding H. ments made to improve their lives and
(Ms. SHERRILL asked and was given Res. 730 recommending that the House to allow them to thrive.
permission to address the House for 1 of Representatives find Stephen K. New Mexican values are rooted in
minute.) Bannon in contempt of Congress.
Ms. SHERRILL. Mr. Speaker, I rise caring for each other. We know that we
It is well known that even from his
to recognize Albert Edward Pelham, a invest in what we care about. We know
own words and published reports, these
beloved community leader and student we invest in what we believe in. Well,
are the words that Mr. Bannon told his
advocate from my town, Montclair, we must invest in addressing the cli-
listeners:
New Jersey. ‘‘All hell is going to break loose to- mate crisis because, in my district, we
Al was known for bringing people to- morrow.’’ know that agua es vida, water is life.
gether. His work aided and inspired ‘‘It is not going to happen like you Our farmers and ranchers are depend-
generations of Montclairians, and he think it is going to happen. Okay. It is ing on us to act and preserve their
leaves behind a beautiful legacy. going to be quite extraordinarily dif- water resources.
Al was raised in Montclair and grad- ferent. All I can say is, strap in. . . . Communities along our rivers, along
uated from Montclair High School. He You have made this happen, and to- our acequias, need us to pass a Build
served our country in the U.S. Army morrow, it is game day. So strap in. Back Better plan that tackles the cri-
before returning to New Jersey and Let’s get ready.’’ sis head-on so that we can preserve the
graduating from Bloomfield College. ‘‘So many people through my life water flowing from our mountains and
From his leadership in the Montclair said, man, if I was in the Revolution, I cascading along our streams for dec-
NAACP, the Montclair Neighborhood would be with Washington at Trenton. ades to come—to feed our ranchers, to
Development Corporation, Statewide Well, this is your time in history.’’ feed our farmers, and to quench our
Parent Advocacy Network, Montclair There is no constitutional provision thirst.
African-American Heritage Founda- that would deny the January 6th Select In these same communities, people
tion, and more, he dedicated himself to Committee the right to receive infor- often come back home to care for their
making his community a better and mation from Mr. Bannon after he has loved ones, their parents and grand-
fairer place. been subpoenaed for information re- parents. I have heard their stories. We
One of Al’s many achievements was garding the insurrection, the riot, the asked them: Why did you come back?
the creation of Project Oasis, which of- attack on January 6. It is because there was nobody else
fers year-round educational and rec- The idea of executive privilege is ex- available to care for my grandmother.
reational opportunities for students. erted by the existing President, limited There was nobody else to care for my
When the COVID–19 pandemic began, on a President of the United States no tia. And we know that that care is a
Al adapted the program and organized longer in office. In fact, Mr. Bannon full-time job on its own.
a remote learning space so that all stu- has been gone from the White House What does it take to go to work in
dents had access to a computer to at- since 2017. He has no legitimate basis. rural America? It is more than just
tend their virtual classes. Based on three equal branches of gov- roads and bridges. It is comprehensive
He also created a program for stu- ernment, we cannot allow an individual paid family and medical care. It is in-
dents who were suspended to provide to undermine democracy. This is a vestments in long-term care and af-
them with academic training and coun- democratic republic, and I expect that fordable childcare.
seling as an alternative to staying at the referral to the United States De- b 1630
home. partment of Justice will be handled.
Al worked to ensure that all stu- f
In my State, 53 percent of people live
dents, regardless of their background, in a childcare desert. Seventy-one per-
INVESTMENTS TO BUILD BACK cent of rural families live in areas
had opportunities to excel.
Al fought tirelessly for racial justice BETTER without enough licensed childcare pro-
and inclusivity, guiding both the The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. viders. We can change that.
Montclair NAACP and the Montclair BOWMAN). Under the Speaker’s an- The Build Back Better plan must in-
African-American Heritage Foundation nounced policy of January 4, 2021, the vest in our rural communities. We are
through especially difficult times in gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. talking about empowering rural re-
our country. In 2019, he was recognized LEGER FERNANDEZ) is recognized for 60 gions, including our Tribal nations,
for these efforts with the Essex County minutes as the designee of the major- with the resources to grow their econo-
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership ity leader. mies, expanding access to affordable
Award. GENERAL LEAVE healthcare, lowering prescription drug
Al’s dedication to his community was Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. prices, and making housing affordable.
matched by his deep commitment to Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that We can do this for our communities
his family. Al took any opportunity he all Members have 5 legislative days to now. We can make this happen. We

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could to be with his wife, Audrey; his revise and extend their remarks and in- made progress with the American Res-
children, Dwayne and Rhonda; his clude extraneous material on the sub- cue Plan, but we cannot stop there. We
grandchildren, Charles and Cameron; ject of my Special Order. must build back better.
his sisters; and extended family. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there It is not good enough to go back to
On August 19, 2021, Al passed away objection to the request of the gentle- where we were, because we know that
after a battle with cancer. His selfless woman from New Mexico? where we were wasn’t good enough. So

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October 21, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5771
we need to make sure that the child as some would say, it is on the table. It Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr.
tax credit does not run out. We cannot is on the table for broadband. It is on Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
kick our children out who came out of the table for high-speed rail. It is on yielding to me to be able to address
poverty. Fifty percent of the children the table for electric cars. It is on the something that I think is so critical
in poverty in my State came out, and table for the trials and tribulations of and is such a once-in-a-lifetime oppor-
I am not willing to tell them: I am your commute where there is a pothole tunity.
sorry, the clock struck 12, and you here or a freeway that is out of com- There are so many elements of this
must go back into living in poverty. mission or a bridge or a dam, it is Build Back Better agenda that touch
No. We must include an expansion ex- there. So go home and be sure that we us from the very youngest to the oldest
tension of the child tax credit in the will have that framework. to the middle class to the working
Build Back Better Act. But then Build Back Better is what I class to those unable to work and those
Mr. Speaker, those children who were want to conclude my remarks on at greatest need.
living in poverty are coming out. We today. We will provide you with the I would like to speak on the aspects
also need to make sure that those chil- kind of quality of life that gives you of the impact on our climate, the deci-
dren in rural America get their early more time with your children, that sions that we must make.
pre-K that they need, and that is what gives you better wages, that gives you Mr. Speaker, I rise today because
Build Back Better will do. climate change response, and gives Congress has an opportunity to address
So the question I ask is simple: Do your child a universal pre-K and kin- the climate crisis, yet some Members
we want to keep an economy that dergarten to ensure that they are com- still refuse to take this issue seriously.
serves only the wealthiest people and petitive around the world; and, yes, Climate catastrophe is no longer some
corporations? Medicaid for those who never lived in distant threat. It is here, and it is now.
Or do we finally give our families a States where they opted into the public We are witnessing it firsthand, yet we
fair shot to truly thrive? option or expanded Medicaid. So if you continue to ignore its very real and
As I said, we invest in the things we are working every day, we want you to very deadly effects.
believe in. Well, we believe in our have health insurance, and on Medicare This year we saw the single largest
youngest children. We believe in our we want that hearing, we want those wildfire in California history. We saw
workers. We believe in the promise eyes, and we want dental to be part of temperatures surpass 100 degrees in the
that lies in each of our communities. your life. Pacific Northwest. And we saw Hurri-
I am glad to be on the floor with my This is what is the bowl of fruit that cane Ida devastate my home State of
Progressive Caucus colleagues this is there for you. The next step as we New Jersey as well as many others.
evening to shine the light on the bril- work out for how these plans will be These tragedies were not inevitable.
liance of the Build Back Better agenda. implemented is to get it done. My view We could have avoided them had our
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- is what I heard from a Member—I will country made it clear decades ago that
woman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON LEE). give him credit—from Arizona. Put climate change is not a political issue
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, let them together and let’s move once we but a real issue that we need to re-
me thank the gentlewoman from New organize and analyze the pieces of it. spond to. We now face the con-
Mexico for her leadership. I am very And I will just leave, Madam Manager, sequences of our past and present deci-
glad that she has emphasized the una- my comment on the table. sions. This could be our last chance to
nimity and the unity of Democrats as Let us be meticulous and careful
take long overdue action and spare our
relates to all of our constituents, all about what plans or what items can ac-
children from having to raise their
Americans, whether we are in New cept reduction because you don’t want
children in an increasingly hostile
Mexico, Texas, or whether, we are in something that does not work because
world.
New York, whether in Mississippi, Illi- you have reduced it in time or dollars.
The Build Back Better Act includes
nois, California, whether we are up in Let’s be meticulous, and that is what
crucial climate investments. But these
the New England States or down the we are doing. And let’s make sure that
provisions are in jeopardy as some of
we are meticulous in ensuring that the
coast in the Carolinas and down to our colleagues seek to eliminate them.
final bill is an impactful bill on lives in
Florida and all in between, it is impor- The Build Back Better Act must in-
terms of years of how long the program
tant, again, to emphasize to the Amer- clude climate action. It is nonnego-
lasts and in terms of dollars of how
ican people that this is about you. tiable. We need to pass the President’s
much impact it will have.
Breaking news. Each of these ele- entire agenda, and we need to pass it
We as the Congressional Progressive
ments that we are fighting for—and we Caucus have been in the center and in now. We might never get another
take no discomfort in you saying at the mix, and we will do the Nation’s chance.
the bus stop, while taking your child to bidding. We will do it right because we Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle-
school, what are they talking about? stand for the people of this Nation, and woman for this opportunity to speak
It is our responsibility to let you particularly those who cannot speak on such an important issue.
know what we are talking about and to for themselves. That gives me pride. I Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr.
let you know that the Congressional am delighted to be here on the floor Speaker, I would also note that when
Progressive Caucus has been talking with the gentlewoman to ensure that we adjust for the climate, we are also
and working and talking and working. those voices can be heard. creating jobs. We anticipate there will
We now are at a point where we will I know working with the President be 763,000 green jobs available to our
say to you: We will not negotiate we will get it done. Put it together, communities when we pass Build Back
against ourselves. and let’s move. Better and address the climate crisis.
But we are the engine to get it done Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle-
working with the Quad Caucus, the Tri Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman so woman from Illinois (Ms. NEWMAN).
Caucus, and the Democratic Caucus. much for her words. I do think it is im- Ms. NEWMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank
So, Mr. Speaker, you have heard that portant to remember what it actually Representative LEGER FERNANDEZ. We
there are numbers that may be dif- means for a family. are excited to be here. This is a really
ferent from $3.5 trillion of which I still In New Mexico, the average cost of important evening.
stand on. But we are working to see infant care is $8,617. That makes New Mr. Speaker, do you know why?
how we can respond to the American Mexico one of 33 States and D.C. where It is because we are talking about
people, and that is you have indicated infant care is more expensive than col- why this is so important that we get
that there is a framework that will lege. The Build Back Better plan will Build Back Better accomplished.

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change my life. I want to see it sooner limit that to 7 percent of your income. Like a great team that the Demo-
than later. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- crats are—and I want to talk about
So here is where we are. There is the woman from New Jersey (Mrs. WATSON that, if I may, with our chair’s permis-
INVEST Act, though, we are talking COLEMAN) on Build Back Better and sion.
tonight about Build Back Better. I what we have been fighting for and We are a team. I am frustrated with
want you to know that, Mr. Speaker, why we must get this done. the media and anybody who is saying

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H5772 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 21, 2021
that we are not a team right now. We human infrastructure side, do you line worker, who is terrified to stay
are ready to go. Ninety-nine percent know why? Because when mom and dad home sick and lose their job because of
now, as of today, and I do mean that go to fix a bridge, they need somebody our Nation’s failure to provide paid
number, 99 percent of us are on the to watch their kids all day. That is leave; the family afraid of being dis-
same page. We just have to get a little why this works so well together, and placed from their home due to extreme
bit more done. So I am asking the that is why we have to pass this. That weather and the existential threat of
media to report accurately. I am ask- is why we are doing this because it is a climate change; the student living in a
ing all of the Americans who are super practical thing to do. transit desert with unreliable access to
watching me to understand we are Every dollar in this package will get jobs, food, community; the daughter
ready to go. We are a team. infused right back into the economy— who is a caregiver to her parent who is
I want to talk about how big this right back. So this is really brilliant in one of 820,000 people on a wait list for
package is. It is trillions of dollars. So every way. It is very practical, and it is much-needed home and community-
think of it this way, Mr. Speaker, if founded within our great principles, based services; and our immigrant
two trillion-dollar companies came to- our economic principles. neighbor who has been unjustly denied
gether, it would take probably 2 to 3 And guess what, Mr. Speaker? It is a pathway to citizenship.
years to integrate it. We are doing it in founded in capitalism because supply Mr. Speaker, the Build Back Better
a matter of weeks and months. We are and demand are working beautifully in Act will help us get one step closer to
going to do it well and precisely, and this package, and we are going to get rejecting the unjust status quo and be-
we are going to get it done. So teams this done. ginning to build a recovery that cen-
get things done in an orderly fashion, I thank the gentlewoman for having ters on the people. As Angela Davis
and we are going to get this done. us tonight. It is a joy to have my friend once said: ‘‘I am no longer accepting
But let me talk about something and everything she does. the things I cannot change. I am
that is really frustrating to me and Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. changing the things I can no longer ac-
really irritating, and that is when folks Speaker, I want to just touch on a few cept.’’
talk about the labor shortage. The real points. Despite what some might argue, the
issue is that we have a childcare short- The gentlewoman mentioned the needs of our communities go far be-
age. We have a healthcare shortage. We need for immigration. I would point yond our Nation’s roads and bridges,
have an affordable housing shortage. out that when we pass our comprehen- and we must ensure that our policies
We have shortage of affordable pre-K. sive immigration reform, we would and our investments reflect that re-
And there is a shortage of folks being have a $1.4 trillion benefit to our econ- ality. Mr. Speaker, I refuse to choose
paid properly for hard work. omy. We need immigrants to help care between the union worker who builds
This is particularly frustrating when for us. They help feed us. They are part our highways and the child worker who
I hear that there is a labor shortage of our communities, and the Build protections our babies and sets them
and then our friends across the aisle Back Better Act, as the House is look- on a pathway to a healthy life, to bring
block every single possible thing we ing at it, includes immigration reform. into bear their contributions to the
can do to make that better and to Today, I was also reminded, during world. I would ask every Member of
boost our economy, so that is super the remarks on something else, what Congress that they do the same. Reject
frustrating for me. today is. Today is sadly, and I say the unjust, false binary choices that
By the way, Mr. Speaker, you can’t sadly, today is Latina Equal Pay Day. force us to choose between the liveli-
say we have a labor shortage and then hoods and well-being of the two that
b 1645
block immigration. It just doesn’t pit community member against com-
work that way. You can’t say immi- I have introduced a resolution to ac- munity member. We have the oppor-
grants are stealing jobs. It doesn’t knowledge that it is Latina Equal Pay tunity and responsibility to finally
work. It is common sense. It is math. Day, and what that tells us is that it make universal paid leave, home
So it doesn’t work. has taken this long, into the fall, into healthcare, and universal access to
But let me say something else, Mr. October, before a Latina earns the quality and affordable childcare a re-
Speaker, if we do things like expanding same as a White man. That is simply ality.
paid leave and medical leave, if we wrong. And the other thing we know is In my district, in Massachusetts, it
make sure that folks have access to that Latinas in the recession, the costs $21,000 per child for childcare. We
childcare and have free childcare, guess shecession, that was caused by that have the opportunity and responsi-
what? pandemic, 20 percent unemployment, bility to address climate change to
Moms can get back to work because the childcare that my colleagues are combat our housing crisis, and to fi-
moms—let’s be honest about it—moms talking about, that would help those nally establish a pathway to citizen-
are frequently the primary caregiver. women get back to work. That would ship for millions of our immigrant
We can get them back to work. Mr. help them when we make sure that workers. You know, those essential
Speaker, 300,000 of our moms in this they are also paid what they deserve workers that you were all clapping for
Nation have been forced to quit so they for the work they do, taking care of during the pandemic.
can take care of their kids. our children, putting food on our They don’t need your applause. They
Someone mentioned something else plates, and just taking care of those we need you to value more than just their
that is astonishing, not that it is just love. labor, but their lives and the preserva-
300,000 people who have left the work- I yield to the gentlewoman from Mas- tion of their families. We must rebuild
force of the female nature, it is that in sachusetts (Ms. PRESSLEY), somebody stronger as a just Nation that takes
addition to that, about 70—when you who I have always looked up to and care of its people. In order to truly
take all of the sources of childcare, learned much from. build back better, we must truly ad-
whether it is YMCA, moms and dads Ms. PRESSLEY. Mr. Speaker, I dress both the human and physical in-
who are in other jobs and working thank my colleague for yielding and frastructure needs of our communities.
three jobs at a time, or it is our school sister in service here, Congresswoman This is responsive to the needs of the
system, or just general daycare and LEGER FERNANDEZ, for convening us people. We have to focus on impact, ad-
childcare—about 70 percent of our here today. vance policies that will be felt by all
childcare system was lost during the Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of families. Leave no community behind.
pandemic. So, of course, it is hard to every worker, every parent, and every This is how we set forth a just recovery
get a break, because guess what? caretaker that has questioned how and chart a new course forward.

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The reason we had this amazing they will make ends meet and keep This is the moment to repair genera-
package set up this way that we had food on the table for their families; the tions of hurt and harm and what I
roads and bridges that will be repaired, parent that has felt that pit in their would characterize as policy violence
and broadband delivered, as well as stomach, the anxiousness as they look inflicted on our most vulnerable and
childcare and healthcare and in-home over monthly bills with the growing neglected communities. This is our mo-
healthcare and all of the things on the costs of rent and childcare; the front- ment to legislate our values; to honor

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October 21, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H5773
the decisive mandate that we have ical to maintain, not cut. For example, across the country day in and day out.
from the people. This is our moment to there are two investments in the bill I People have to go ask their colleagues
make this Democratic majority— have led on that are important for cli- and their coworkers to donate their
House, Senate, and White House—that mate and environmental justice, cli- leave and their time, and that is
that is more than a talking point that mate smart ports. This includes a crit- wrong.
we are in the majority. We must affirm ical $3.5 billion investment to reduce We need to invest in these and we
and codify once and for all. air pollution at ports by providing have to fight to keep these priorities in
Infrastructure are those things that grants and rebates for the purchase and the Build Back Better agenda. And it is
are essential to the functioning of our installation of zero emissions tech- time that these investments should be
very society. Care is infrastructure. nology. paid for by ensuring the wealthy and
Housing is infrastructure. Climate jus- Nearly 40 percent of Americans live the corporations finally pay their fair
tice is infrastructure. Paid leave is in- within 3 miles of a port and will benefit share of taxes. Now is the time to
frastructure. Disability justice is infra- from these investments in clean air. In make these once-in-a-generation in-
structure, and the list goes on. my district, the Port of Los Angeles is vestments in problems that have long
Here is what I know. There is no def- a major economic engine but it is also been neglected. Now is the time to
icit of resource in this country, only a a major source of pollution. We have stand strong and deliver the promises
deficit of empathy and political cour- some of the worst air quality in the we made to the American people.
age. Let’s pass the Build Back Better country and it disproportionately im- Let’s stand up for the people and the
Act so that we can deliver for the com- pacts communities of color in South planet. Let’s meet the moment and
munities that for too long have been Los Angeles. For decades, my constitu- pass the entire Build Back Better agen-
asked to wait. Justice delayed is jus- ents have advocated for zero emission da.
tice denied. Our constituents deserve solutions. This $3.5 billion ports invest- I want to thank the gentlewoman for
more. ment in the Build Back Better Act will leading this effort and thank the Pro-
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. deliver. It is a long-overdue investment gressive Caucus for being at the fore-
Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman so in environmental justice, in climate front of making sure that we are fight-
much for bringing to light and describ- action, in jobs. ing for the people.
ing those individuals for whom we are So I want to urge us to fight to keep Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr.
working today, but it is they who are these long-overdue investments in Speaker, I thank the Representative
us. We are part of their communities clean air for our port communities. En- for her courage. She has raised the
and they have been telling us these sto- vironmental justice and climate justice issues of environmental injustice since
ries and we are responding now because grants, that is also in the Build Back the day I met her. I know she raised
now is the time for us to act. Better agenda. There is a $5 billion in- them and she leads them in the Con-
I yield to the gentlewoman from vestment in environmental and cli- gressional Hispanic Caucus, and she
California (Ms. BARRAGÁN), who co- mate justice grants, by far the largest- has now described what it means on
sponsored the resolution I spoke of ear- ever amount that we have invested in the ground, what it means in terms of
lier for the Latina Equal Pay Day. We this. jobs, but also what it means in terms
care for each other. That is why we Now, with this investment, we will of the life that you live, the air that
look after each other. empower environmental justice com- you breathe. Because we know that in
Ms. BARRAGÁN. Mr. Speaker, I munities to lead projects that reduce our communities, our communities of
thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I pollution and bring climate justice so- color suffer from higher rates of asth-
join my colleagues today in calling for lutions to communities hit first and ma. And when something like COVID
Congress to pass President Biden’s en- worst by the climate crisis. This will comes about that ravages the lungs
tire Build Back Better agenda. This is mean climate-resilient solutions such when they have already been damaged,
a plan that takes on the climate crisis as clean energy microgrids to keep the it hurts. And that is why we saw the
and fights for environmental justice at power on during extreme weather level of death and despair in the com-
a time when we have seen record heat events like heat waves and hurricanes. munities of color, in the Native Amer-
waves, wildfires, and drought in Cali- It means the community solar ican communities and the Latino com-
fornia and across the country. It in- projects that create local jobs and save munities.
vests in things like the climate smart money on electricity bills, like the re- I would also point out that climate
ports to invest in zero emissions tech- cent solar project in my district at the change is costly. When they don’t want
nology that will reduce toxic air pollu- Wilmington Senior Center. It means to spend $3.7 trillion, or $2.5 trillion,
tion in neighborhoods near our ports, green infrastructure to prevent flood- let’s remember that failure to address
like the communities of color that sur- ing and to protect communities from climate change will lead to world in-
round the Port of Los Angeles in my extreme heat. These long overdue in- stability. It is estimated that we would
Congressional District. vestments will give environmental jus- lose $23 trillion, a $23 trillion impact
The Build Back Better agenda we tice communities the resources to fight on our economy, our world economy by
know will also invest in things like the for a safe climate and clean environ- failing to address this.
construction of more than 2 million af- ment. I don’t want to pass over the impact
fordable homes to address the rising Of course, there are other invest- in terms of the creating jobs for the
housing costs that have hit Los Ange- ments, such as in-home care that will people in our community, for the peo-
les so hard and across the country, help provide care for our older Ameri- ple in America. We know that we are
with more than 41,000 suffering from cans and those with disabilities so they now coming back. The pandemic is
homelessness. could stay in their homes and get the hard. We are still pushing out of it.
It is going to do things like lowering care that they need. It will provide for Today we heard some great jobs num-
health insurance cost; invest in higher things like paid family and medical bers. 290,000 is below what they had
education to lower tuition for students leave. Imagine you are a nurse at a projected so we are feeling good. We
at minority-serving institutions. It is hospital and you help deliver babies know that the pandemic is something
going to cut taxes for families with and all of a sudden you get cancer and that we are working on, that this
children by extending the child tax you have no paid leave. President has done such a great job
credit and cutting poverty. How do we How are you to go home and fight working with Congress on that.
not invest in that? But today I want to cancer, so that you can focus on that But still, it is estimated that the
focus more on climate because this is a cancer fight instead of worrying about Build Back Better agenda would create

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
crisis, and this is a threat that is hap- how you are going to pay the bills. 4 million jobs. That is 1.1 million
pening as we speak. It is urgent. That very thing happened to my sister caregiving jobs. That is not just a num-
It is urgent that we act boldly to re- just last November. She delivers babies ber. That is somebody that you are
spond to the threat of climate change at a military hospital, a Federal work- going to take your baby to. And you
and the climate investments in the er. You would think these are people know that what we are going to do is
Build Back Better Act which are crit- we take care of, but this is happening make sure that that caregiver has the

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H5774 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 21, 2021
kind of training that she needs or he We know that when we invest in cre- seeing this happening and unfolding be-
needs to provide the best quality care; ating jobs that pay fair wages, that in- fore our eyes in living color.
that because we are providing assist- clude benefits like healthcare, paid If we look back to 1986, which was the
ance, that their caregiver is going to be family and medical leave, and retire- last time mass amnesty was granted,
receiving the kind of pay that she or he ment, we will help more people get we have a clear view of what will hap-
deserves because they are providing the those jobs and keep those jobs. Because pen if Biden and the Democrats push
most valuable thing to you. They are when they are able to go home and help this plan through. Millions of jobs will
caring for the most precious resource, somebody they love who is ill in their be put at risk. We will see massive
our children. And that is what Build family, then they don’t have to leave waves of new illegal immigration. It is
Back Better will do. that job. That is what we should be happening as we speak. Our enemies
caring about. will use this avenue to enter the
b 1700 United States and embed themselves
So when is the time to get this done?
It will also create 556,000 manufac- As I say in my Nuevo Mexico, ahora es into our society.
turing jobs, and those are going to be cuando; it is time now to get this done. Listen closely: Our society, our coun-
jobs with prevailing wages, good-pay- Because that is right, that is good for try, our neighbors, us—America is at
ing jobs. That is what we need. When our communities, it is good for Amer- stake.
we talk about needing to bring manu- ica, it is good for our women, and it is Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
facturing back, let’s grow it here. And good for our planet. from California (Mr. MCCLINTOCK).
if you are for manufacturing in Amer- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance Mr. MCCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I
ica, you have got to be for the Build of my time. thank the gentleman for yielding and
Back Better Act, because that is going thank him for his leadership on this
f issue.
to create a half billion jobs. That is a
lot of jobs. DEMOCRATS’ PLAN TO PUT MASS Mr. Speaker, yesterday, we learned
But what does that job mean? It AMNESTY IN RECONCILIATION that this year has broken all historical
means that there is somebody who is PACKAGE records for illegal immigration. The
going to go to work, who has a family, The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under CBP arrested 1.7 million foreign na-
or wants to start a family, and is going the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- tionals illegally crossing our border
to be able to buy a home. But we know uary 4, 2021, the gentleman from Texas this year. That is the entire population
that buying a home is hard. So the (Mr. BABIN) is recognized for 60 min- of the States of Alaska, Wyoming, and
Build Back Better Act is going to pro- Vermont combined. And it is a Federal
utes as the designee of the minority
vide assistance for those first-time crime. It is a misdemeanor for the first
leader.
home buyers. Because we know that offense. It is a felony for reentry. Yet,
GENERAL LEAVE
the hardest thing for buying a home is this administration is not only not
Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- prosecuting this crime; it is actively
having that down payment, and we imous consent that all Members may
have down payment assistance in the assisting and encouraging it.
have 5 legislative days in which to re- Today, the Attorney General, the of-
Build Back Better Act. That is what we vise and extend their remarks and in- ficial responsible for prosecuting Fed-
are going to be bringing. clude extraneous material on the sub- eral crimes, could not even give us a
We have looked at what are the dif- ject of my Special Order. ballpark guess of how many are actu-
ferent levers of our economy that make The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ally being prosecuted, and, I suspect,
a difference that are infrastructure, objection to the request of the gen- because that number is zero.
that help a community thrive, not just tleman from Texas? He couldn’t tell us what is being done
survive. That is what is in the Build There was no objection. to enforce the Federal law that forbids
Back Better Act, because we want our Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, during my hiring illegals. He wasn’t aware of
communities to thrive, not just sur- time this evening, my colleagues and I President Biden’s inauguration day
vive. will be shedding light on the Demo- order to Immigration and Customs En-
Construction jobs, 312,000 construc- crats’ illegal attempt to include mass forcement not to faithfully execute the
tion jobs, doing the things that we amnesty in their multi-trillion-dollar law.
need in America, building those spending package, their so-called Build Now, I ask you, is it just possible
bridges, building those health clinics, Back Better bill. that the administration’s refusal to en-
building those schools and those busi- Frankly, this entire bill is a disaster. force our immigration law might just
nesses. Because it takes all of that; it It will permanently cause labor short- have something to do with the fact
takes an investment in us. ages, crush small businesses, raise that our country is now being over-
And we do pay for it. There is not a taxes, lower wages, and expand the whelmed by this unprecedented incur-
dime—this is not about debt, because it very worst parts of our government. sion on our border?
is all paid for and it is paid for first by As one of the chairs of the House Ask any of the migrants. They will
going after those who fail to pay their Border Security Caucus, a Texan, and tell you the sole reason they are com-
taxes, even when due. So, tax cheats, simply as an American, I am stunned ing is because of the Biden administra-
yes, we are going to make you pay that in the middle of the worst border tion’s decision to open the border.
your taxes, because that is only fair. security crisis we have ever faced, Sen- Under Donald Trump’s leadership, they
We are going to make those corpora- ate Democrats are using the reconcili- say they never would have considered
tions who have paid less in taxes than ation process to try and grant mass making the trip, because we had
my child’s schoolteacher, we are going amnesty to millions and millions of il- achieved control of our border for the
to make them pay their fair share. legal aliens. first time in a generation.
Not a single family that is earning We are up against more crises than Yet, on inauguration day, Mr. Biden
less than $450,000 a year—so if you are any American has ever seen, too many reversed the Remain in Mexico policy,
earning half a million dollars a year, to even keep track of anymore. But, he ordered ICE not to enforce the law,
then you will see a small increase in folks, this is the worst one of all. Our and he abandoned the border wall.
your taxes. open borders and the President’s dere- This Attorney General has no idea if
But if any of you are outside listen- liction of duty to secure our southern his department is doing anything to
ing to this and saying, what will it do border will unquestionably affect every enforce those immigration laws. Well,
to my tax burden? If you are earning single American in this country, every Mr. Speaker, without immigration
less than a half a million dollars a single State, for generations to come. laws, we have no border; and if we have

dlhill on DSK120RN23PROD with HOUSE
year, you are going to be just fine. In Let that sink in. no border, then we have no country.
fact, you are going to have a tax re- My friends, this isn’t a talking point. Gallop estimates that based on their
fund, because we have the child tax It is a fact. History has shown us that polling, there are 42 million people liv-
credit in there. We are lowering taxes amnesty erodes the integrity of our im- ing in poverty in South America and
for working families and middle-class migration system, and it breeds con- the Caribbean who intend to come to
families. tempt for the law on all sides. We are the United States now that they can.

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