I am pleased that President Biden has, as part of his American Jobs Plan, recognized that housing is a critical part of our nation's infrastructure.

I would first like to just associate myself with the comments of my fellow San Diegan, Representative Vargas, about the situation we have in San Diego.

Our Nation's transportation system, we all know, is in desperate need of investment, and especially equitable investment that elevates different communities.

Our nation's transportation system is in desperate need of investment--and especially, equitable investment that elevates communities of color and minority- and women-owned businesses.

Now, more than ever, on the tail end of a pandemic that has devastated communities but especially those of African-Americans and Latinos, who make up the heart of essential workers, we need to take bold action to equitably rebuild our…

Equally important, the legislation strengthens local hire policy.

The 'Build Local, Hire Local Act,' is designed to create opportunities for all Americans--veterans, the formerly incarcerated, and the disabled--so we reinvest in our nation equitably.

It's clear Congressional and White House policy are aligned on this issue.

Local hire policy will help uplift our District's long-term economic trajectory.

I urge the committee to keep this provision in its entirety in the final infrastructure package.

I’d like to call your attention to an intractable issue affecting the 37th Congressional District.

I fully agree that the X-waiver reflects a longstanding stigma around substance use treatment and sends a message to the medical community that they lack the knowledge or ability to effectively treat individuals with substance use disorder.

Congress also provided over $8 billion to address opioid use and mental and behavioral healthcare through the American Rescue Plan.

According to recently reported data from the CDC, overdose deaths spiked after the start of the pandemic.

More than 80 percent of the 2 million people with opioid use disorder are not receiving medication-assisted treatment.

We can't gather a year from now and have statistics saying this is what happened in 2021, and it is more lives lost.

I think that, as you--before you turn off your laptops, I am very proud of our subcommittee and the Members on both sides of the aisle.

Your leadership on substance use disorder is unparalleled.